THE AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF FERMENTED FOODS
What if I told you that you could take everyday foods and transform them into delicious superfoods in your own kitchen, with minimal effort and money? It’s true! Simply by transforming regular foods like veggies, nuts, and beans into fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi, we can significantly increase their health-building properties.
Exciting new research shows that fermented foods, and the beneficial probiotics they contain, can have impressive health effects, some of which include boosting our immune systems, increasing our energy levels and athletic performance, and even preventing and healing many diseases. It’s no surprise that fermented foods are the hottest topic in the field of healthy eating right now.
The Classic: Yogurt
Everywhere I turn, I see advertisements, commercials, and articles about the health benefits of yogurt. And while there's no question that yogurt is one of the most commonly enjoyed fermented foods, it’s important to focus on quality. Many commercial yogurts are loaded with additives, including sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, dyes, and gums. Choose plain, whole-fat yogurt, ideally made with milk from pasture-raised cows, if buying dairy-based yogurt. Check labels for, , and . It’s also simple to make your own yogurt using a yogurt maker, which are available for about $30. Most research has focused on fermented cow’s milk yogurt, but there’s reason to think that non-dairy fermented yogurt offers health benefits, too. Look for yogurts made from the milks of coconut, soy (choose organic only, as soy is heavily genetically modified), almonds, or cashews. Any of these can be good options if they contain live probiotic cultures.
