Fermented Foods!
Fermented Foods!
Kimchi, kefir, kombucha. Miso, tempeh and yogurt. From sourdough to sauerkraut, people in virtually every culture have eaten fermented foods, and for thousands of years. Given their nutritional benefits, it’s no surprise that ferments are now enjoying a culinary renaissance.
Recent research has shown that health begins in the gut, and with the ever increasing use of antibiotics in modern allopathic medicine, supplementing our diet with fermented foods is critical to maintaining our intestinal microbiome.
But are fermented foods palatable and can you make them yourself? Yes, and yes! With a pinch of research and trial and error, you can make your own kimchi, yogurt, and sauerkraut quite easily.
What are Fermented Foods?
Also called ‘cultured’ foods, fermented foods have undergone a process of lacto-fermentation. During this complex process, microorganisms (bacteria, yeast or fungi) convert sugars or starches into alcohol or acids. The culinary byproduct is a tangy, strong tasting flavor, adjustable by altering the duration of fermentation. (You can read more about the fascinating chemistry of lacto-fermentation here.) Vegetables, milk, juices and beans are all examples of foods that can be fermented.
Some ferments are an acquired taste (kimchi) while others are more accessible to a Western palate (yogurt). I believe it is a good practice to eat at least 1 serving of a fermented food per day.
Health Benefits of Fermented Foods
- rich in probiotic bacteria to maintain intestinal flora
- immune boosting
- may be helpful in weight loss
- may help digestive functioning i.e. reduce constipation through the production of acetylcholine
Next week I’ll be showing you how to make your own kimchi. Considered a nutritional powerhouse, kimchi has been linked to the prevention of cancer and obesity, as well as helpful in reducing cholesterol and boosting the immune system.
I also make my own Coconut Milk Kefir!
If you have experience making your own fermented foods, feel free to comment below.
Stay tuned!
Disclaimer: This website provides general information and discussion about yoga, health and related subjects. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If the reader has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician.
Catherine Tingey
Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
About the Author
Catherine Tingey+ Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
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