Take a look at some fermented foods that may strengthen your gut productivity!
This week we're taking a deep dive into fermented foods. You may be asking yourself, "What exactly are fermented foods?" So, before we get into the crux of this post, we'll be explaining the fermentation process and what exactly qualifies as fermented food.
Fermentation
The exact definition of fermentation is, "A metabolic process that produces chemical changes in organic substances through the action of enzymes. In biochemistry, it is narrowly defined as the extraction of energy from carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen. In food production, it may more broadly refer to any process in which the activity of microorganisms brings about a desirable change to a foodstuff or beverage. The science of fermentation is known as zymology."
Fermentation. (2023, September 11). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermentation
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods can be defined as any food or beverage that was created with controlled microbial growth. Foods like; Kimchi, yogurt, sauerkraut, apple cider vinegar, and sourdough bread, are all considered fermented foods.
Fermentation & Gut Health
Plain and simple, fermented foods decrease inflammatory proteins in the body. This is why some doctors suggest including yogurt in your everyday diet if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, or even if you're trying to get over a cold. Fermented foods lower inflammation by increasing microbiome diversity.
Tea Time
It's easy to guess that here at Catalyst Tea Company our favorite fermented beverage is Kambocha. But we want to hear from you. What are some of your favorite fermented foods or beverages? Let us know in the comments!