Fermented foods are becoming increasingly popular, but do they really benefit your health? Let’s explore how foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir might improve your well-being.
Thirteen years ago, Donna Schwenk, then 41 and pregnant with her third child, faced serious health issues. She developed preeclampsia and her liver began to fail. Her baby, Holli, was born prematurely via C-section, weighing just four pounds. Schwenk herself struggled with diabetes, high blood pressure, and debilitating fatigue, making it difficult to care for her newborn. Determined to improve her health, she searched for solutions to help herself and her daughter.
While browsing a health food store, Schwenk discovered “The Body Ecology Diet: Recovering Your Health and Rebuilding Your Immunity” by Donna Gates, where she read about kefir—an enzyme-rich, fermented milk drink. Motivated by a shop assistant’s recommendation, she started adding kefir to Holli’s bottles. Remarkably, within a month, Holli gained four pounds. Schwenk began drinking kefir herself, and within 12 weeks, her blood sugar and blood pressure normalized, and she felt significantly better.
Schwenk, who later authored “Cultured Food for Life: How to Make and Serve Delicious Probiotic Foods for Better Health and Wellness,” believes that fermented foods played a crucial role in her and her baby’s improved health. Research suggests that these foods not only aid digestion but also boost immunity, weight management, and even mood.
Schwenk participated in a PBS special called “Health Breakthroughs,” which explored the benefits of consuming more fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, and kimchi. The New York Times recently highlighted fermented foods as a significant future food trend.
Michael Pollan, in his book “The Art of Fermentation,” shares his enthusiasm for home fermenting, saying it has transformed his kitchen into a project hub filled with jars and tumbling crocks. Eating fermented foods, he and others claim, can lead to better skin, increased energy, and weight loss.
Los Angeles nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, who advises celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Hilary Duff, recommends eating fermented vegetables daily. Snyder believes that as good bacteria balance is restored in the gut, it enhances weight loss, skin condition, and energy levels.
Latest findings emphasize gut health as vital to overall wellness. According to Kathie Swift, a clinical nutritionist and author, the gut is integral not only for digestion but also for nutrient absorption. Imbalances can lead to various health problems, from autoimmune disorders to skin issues.
In experiments, scientists have even replaced the gut bacteria of obese mice with bacteria from lean mice, resulting in weight loss. Moreover, the gut, which houses a significant portion of our immune system, is linked to mood through the production of serotonin.
Recent studies, such as one published in the Journal of Physiology and Anthropology, establish a connection between fermented food diets and positive mental health outcomes. Research at McMaster University found that introducing gut bacteria from calmer mice to anxious ones reduced their anxiety.
With around 100 trillion bacteria in your gut, maintaining a balance is essential. Age, diet, stress, and medication can all impact this balance. Daniel O’Shaughnessy, a nutritional therapist, explains how consuming fermented foods can help restore it by repopulating the gut with good bacteria.
Instead of relying on high-sugar commercial drinks that contain transient bacteria, it’s best to incorporate a variety of fermented foods into your diet. Different foods, like kefir, sauerkraut, and kombucha, offer unique strains of beneficial bacteria. Even though probiotic supplements are available, they may not provide the same benefits as natural fermented foods.
Fermenting foods is a time-honored tradition that has been practiced across cultures to preserve and enhance foods. Today, it’s not just about preservation; fermentation increases nutrient availability and aids digestion. However, introducing fermented foods should be done gradually to avoid digestive discomfort.
Experts recommend starting with small amounts and choosing raw, living cultures for maximum benefit. Making your own fermented foods is also an option for those interested in exploring this healthy habit at home. By gradually incorporating various fermented foods into your diet, you can support a balanced gut microbiome and potentially improve your overall health.
