By fitlifemonthly 
Fermented foods are all the rage these days, and many people are curious if foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir can really boost your health. Here’s a closer look at why you might want to add them to your diet.
Thirteen years ago, Donna Schwenk was 41 and expecting her third child when she developed preeclampsia, leading to severe health issues including diabetes, high blood pressure, and extreme fatigue. When her baby, Holli, was born prematurely, Schwenk was desperate to get better for her child’s sake. She stumbled upon a book in a health food store that introduced her to the benefits of kefir, a fermented milk drink rich in good bacteria.
She started adding kefir to Holli’s bottles and soon began drinking it herself. In just a month, her baby gained four pounds, and in 12 weeks, Schwenk’s own health saw significant improvements. This experience led her to write “Cultured Food for Life,” where she shares her conviction that fermented foods can enhance gut health, which impacts digestion, immunity, weight, and even mood.
Schwenk is part of a PBS special, “Health Breakthroughs,” that explores the benefits of fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, and fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut. It’s not just her; fermented foods are becoming a massive trend, even catching the attention of the New York Times.
Healthy eating advocate Michael Pollan also highlights the charm of DIY food fermentation in his book “The Art of Fermentation.” LA nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, who works with celebrities, recommends fermented vegetables daily, stating they help with weight loss, improve skin, and boost energy.
Recent research emphasizes the gut as a critical center for overall health. Clinical nutritionist Kathie Swift, author of “The Swift Diet,” often starts with gut health to address various health issues, as gut bacteria impacts digestion and nutrient absorption. Studies have even shown that changing gut bacteria in mice can lead to weight loss and reduced anxiety.
With over 100 trillion bacteria in our gut, balance is key. Unfortunately, modern diets high in sugar and caffeine, along with stress and antibiotics, often disrupt this balance. This imbalance can lead to health issues ranging from food intolerances to chronic fatigue and skin problems.
While you might think grabbing a probiotic drink from the supermarket will solve everything, these often contain high sugars and don’t provide the lasting benefits of fermented foods. Daniel O’Shaughnessy, a nutritional therapist, explains that a variety of fermented foods can provide a wide range of beneficial bacteria strains.
Examples of fermented foods include kefir, miso, sauerkraut, coconut yogurt, and kombucha. Each offers different bacteria, so mixing them in your diet can boost your gut health.
Fermenting foods is not a new concept—it’s been part of traditional diets around the world for centuries. Countries like Japan, where fermented foods are a staple, have high life expectancies partly due to these dietary habits.
If you’re new to fermented foods, start slow to avoid stomach upset. Consuming raw and live cultures rather than processed options is best. Look for labels indicating raw products in the refrigerated section.
Finally, making your own fermented foods is easier than you think. Simple recipes and ingredients can help you get started, ensuring you get a variety of beneficial bacteria for a healthy gut. Add prebiotic foods like onions, garlic, and bananas to your diet to further support gut health.
Fermented foods not only preserve nutrients but can also improve digestion, making their benefits too good to ignore. If you’re interested in better health, it might be time to give fermented foods a try.