With colder weather comes an increase in sickness from colds to the flu. We have discussed in previous posts some ways to help your immune system and I wanted to give you another tool to have in your defenses. It may sound strange to some, but fermented foods are an excellent way to help your immune system and to also help with gut health. Those with stomach conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s Disease, or Ulcerative Colitis should consult with a physician beforehand to make certain some or all fermented foods will not hurt your stomach.
What are fermented foods?
Fermented foods have been around since Egyptian times. Fermentation involves using yeast or bacteria to convert a carbohydrate to an alcohol or organic acids. Fermented foods help increase the healthy bacteria in your gut. We all know a healthy gut makes for a healthy immune system. Some of the most popular fermented foods are yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and certain pickles but have you ever tried:
- Kimchi
- Sauerkraut
- kefir
- miso
- tempeh
These foods all are fermented and excellent sources of good bacteria. Kimchi is easily found in groceries stores in the produce section and comes in mild or hot. It is one of my favorite meal additions, but the best way to have kimchi is to have it homemade. You can also ferment a great number of foods, especially vegetables.
Working on improving our gut health and our immune system has never been more important than this past year with COVID-19 making its debut but with cold and flu season here there is not enough we can do to keep our bodies functioning at the best that they can. You should always work on improving your health and if you ever feel you need extra help getting that better overall health you can always reach out to me and I will be extremely happy to help you get on your way to a new you!