By fitlifemonthly 
Fermented foods are becoming quite popular, but do they actually benefit your health? Let’s dive into one story to see their potential impact.
Thirteen years ago, Donna Schwenk was 41 and pregnant with her third child when she developed preeclampsia. Her condition worsened, leading to an early C-section delivery of her daughter Holli, who weighed just four pounds at birth. Schwenk herself faced severe health issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and extreme fatigue.
In her search for wellness, she stumbled upon kefir, a fermented milk drink rich in probiotics while browsing a health food store. Inspired by the claims in “The Body Ecology Diet” by Donna Gates, she started adding kefir to her diet and even to Holli’s bottles. Remarkably, within a month, Holli gained four pounds, and within 12 weeks, Schwenk’s blood sugar and blood pressure levels normalized, and she felt much better.
Schwenk’s experience led her to write “Cultured Food for Life” and become an advocate for fermented foods, which she believes significantly improved her and her daughter’s health. Emerging research supports her belief, suggesting that fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi can aid digestion, boost immunity, help manage weight, and even affect mood.
The popularity of fermented foods is on the rise, as noted by The New York Times, and supported by health advocates like Michael Pollan, who has embraced home fermentation. Nutritionist Kimberly Snyder also recommends daily consumption of fermented vegetables to her clients for better overall health.
Increasingly, research highlights the importance of gut health. Clinical nutritionist Kathie Swift emphasizes that the gut’s bacterial balance affects not just digestion but also vitamin absorption and overall health. Studies have shown that gut bacteria can influence weight and even mental health. For example, experiments replacing the gut bacteria of obese mice with that of lean mice led to weight loss, and similar studies with anxious mice resulted in reduced anxiety.
Our gut houses around 100 trillion bacteria, both good and bad. As we age, the balance tends to shift towards more harmful bacteria, influenced by diet, stress, and medications. This imbalance can lead to various health issues, including food intolerances, chronic fatigue, auto-immune diseases, and skin disorders.
Instead of relying on commercial probiotic drinks, which may be high in sugar and contain transient bacteria, it’s better to consume a variety of fermented foods. Each type contains different strains of beneficial bacteria that contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. Probiotic pills are an option but could contain fewer beneficial bacteria compared to fermented foods.
Fermentation is an age-old practice seen in various cultures worldwide. Foods like kimchi in Korea, sauerkraut in Germany, and natto in Japan have been consumed for their health benefits long before modern science supported these practices. Fermented foods enhance the nutrient availability and support digestion.
To incorporate fermented foods into your diet, start with small amounts and gradually increase. Options like kefir, miso, sauerkraut, coconut yogurt, and kombucha can be homemade or purchased from health food stores. It’s essential, though, not to overdo it as too much can upset your stomach. When shopping, look for products labeled as raw or containing live cultures, and consider making them at home for freshness and variety.
In summary, fermented foods can play a significant role in improving gut health and overall wellbeing. Start small, mix up your choices, and you’ll likely see some positive changes in your health and vitality.