Benefits of Fermented Foods

What Is Good About Fermented Foods and Supplements?

Studies reported that the microbes found in fermented foods and fermented natural health supplements can help improve the function of the immune system in our bodies. Most notable is an improvement in the roles of natural killer cells which are our front-line defenders against infection and cancer developmentᐧ   Fermented Ingredients in supplements increased the bioavailability of the nutrients.

A lot of people now are becoming educated on natural health products and consume them for the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. More and more reports are supporting the safe and effective use of various fermented natural health product ingredients that boost effectiveness.  It is more effective for antioxidant support, bone health, immunity, and protection of the intestinal lining.

How do fermented foods benefit us?

A study shows that we should eat more fermented foods for a plethora of bacteria beneficial to increase the number of good gut bacteria, at the same time lowering the number of pathogenic bacteria.  Also, a study indicated that fermented foods can prevent Helicobactor Pylori (H.Pylori) infection, one of the causes of gastric cancer.

If you are being treated with antibiotics of H. Pylori infection, take some probiotics as it can help prevent the side effects from the antibiotic.   Also, a study has proven the benefits of the natural probiotics contained within certain fermented foods like Kefir, yogurt, and sauerkaraut.  These 3 fermented foods contain beneficial bacteria called Lactobacillus.  It has an anti-H. Pylori properties and reduces the side effects of antibiotic treatment.

Fermented foods are good for heart health and have been associated with lowering the risk of heart disease.  Probiotics may also modestly reduce blood pressure and help lower total and “bad” LDL cholesterol.  Fermentation can increase the bioavailability of mineral we take like B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc.

My suggested daily fermented supplements

Fermented Digestive Enzymes – taking digestive enzymes daily is a very wise decision.  It helps break down the carbohydrates, fat, and proteins from the food we eat.  Once broken down, nutrients are absorbed into our body through the small intestinal wall.  Click here for a digestive enzymes supplement that offers advanced vegan and organic digestive enzymes.  It includes probiotics, prebiotics, and a botanical blend.  Prebiotic is supposed to increase the friendly bacteria in the gut, helps with digestive problems, and boost the immune system.   It also improves metabolic health and prevents certain diseases.

Fermented Women’s Multi-Vitamins –  made from whole foods, organic, fermented, probiotics, and vegan is an advanced all-in-one multivitamin for women with over 25 essential vitamins & minerals.  Designed to provide a set of daily nutrients a woman needs for overall support.  This multi-vitamin for women is complete with vitamin A, B, C, D, E, K, and biotin, folate, iodine, magnesium, omega-3, along with activated minerals.  Powered with real whole foods and organic amla berry, boron, camu camu, fermented turmeric, holy basil, sage, and more.  Vegan, non-GMO with Probiotics and enzymes.  Click here to learn more.

Fermented Men’s Multi-Vitamin – made from whole foods, organic, fermented, probiotic, and vegan.   This men’s multi-vitamin includes vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K, biotin, calcium, folate, magnesium, omega-3, iodine, zinc as well as activated minerals.  Powered with real whole foods and fermented herbs, blend with beet, boron, ginger, turmeric, and more.  It also has probiotics and digestive enzyme blend.  Click here to learn more.

Fermented Veggies That Go Well With Any Main Dish

You can ferment almost any vegetable that you would like to eat with chicken, pork, or beef.  The good thing about fermentation is you can put them in jars and refrigerate.  You don’t worry about them going bad or get molds.   Below are examples of vegetables you can ferment:

carrot	broccoli
peppers	cauliflower
white radish	whole pickling cucumbers
green beans	beets

Cut the vegetables any way you want but do evenly cut them to make sure your ingredients are roughly the same size and shape.  This will ensure that they all ferment at the same rate.  For example, carrots can be grated or cut in sticks or rounds.  I love fermented carrots and white radish, so I always have them ready.  I like them grated so I can mix them with my green salad.

Some great fermented vegetable combinations:

• Carrots with red pepper flakes
• Green beans with garlic and dill
• Carrots with ginger and garlic
• Broccoli and cauliflower with garlic, basil, and oregano
• Garlic with basil and oregano
• Beets, carrots, and fennel
• Cauliflower with curry powder

Instructions on fermenting.

• If using water and salt, mix together 3-4 cups of water with 2 Tbsp sea salt, until the salt has dissolved.
• Pour the saltwater brine over the vegetables in your jar, leaving one-inch headspace. Make sure the vegetables are submerged below the brine.
• Cover the jars with something breathable, either with a coffee filter with a rubber band to hold it in place or cheesecloth. If you choose a tight-fitting lid, you will need to open the jar every day to let some gasses escape.
• Leave vegetables to ferment on the counter for 2-3 days. (The ideal fermenting temperature is 70-75°F.) Check them daily to ensure the vegetables are staying below the brine.  After 2-3 days, you should start to see some tiny bubbles forming at the top of the brine.
• Start tasting your vegetables after 2-3 days. Once they reach a flavor that is to your liking, you can start refrigerating them.

Condiments and Measurements

I use Apple Cider Vinegar when fermenting vegetables because of the health benefits of it.  For every 3 cups of grated carrots, or white radish, or any vegetables,  use the measurements below.  Ceramic cook pot is safe to cook in vinegar. Boil all of the ingredients together until the salt and sugar have dissolved.  Then pour in the grated carrots and stir until the mixture has soaked the vegetable.  The vegetable should be 20% cooked only.  Do not even half-cooked because you still want the crunchiness of the vegetable.  When cool enough to your touch,  put them in the jar, and then refrigerate the fermented vegetables.  It goes well with almost any main dish.  So delicious and you will enjoy it!

¾ cup of apple cider vinegar	2 tsp of ground black pepper
2 tbsp of short strips of ginger	2 tsp of Himalayan salt
2 tbsp dark brown sugar	2 tbsp of chopped garlic if you wish

Conclusion

Fermented foods, multi-vitamins, and fermented digestive enzymes are so perfect to keep our bodies healthy.  The foods are so simple to prepare and probiotic-rich,  gut-friendly, and helps you build good bacteria and fight the bad ones.  Fermented herbal ingredients in the multi-vitamins and supplements have been reported to be more effective for antioxidant support, bone health, immunity, and protection of the intestinal lining.  I hope this post will help you make good decisions in making your life healthy and live a happy life always.

Disclosure:  livelifewellall.com may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase something through the recommended links in this article.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

P.S. >  I invite you to join Wealthy Affiliate and learn how to make money online and be your own boss.  Join for free training and have access to a free website.  However, you have a choice to become a premium member and have access to endless information to further your training. The cost is very affordable especially if you sign up for the whole year.  If you like learning, you will enjoy the Wealthy Affiliate and become part of the family.