It’s Alive! Natural Probiotics in Fermented Foods

Maintaining healthy gut flora is essential for optimal immune system and brain function. The insult of eating too many denatured foods has taken its toll on our bodies that need a constant source of good bacteria keep illness at bay.

Although it may take some time to acquire a taste for fermented foods, eating them is a great way to maintain healthy gut flora. Fermented foods are an excellent source of natural probiotics. A wide range of foods from dairy to vegetables can easily be fermented at home.

Our Ancestors Were Healthier Than Us

Fermentation is the exceptionally simple process by which ancient cultures preserved food, encouraged digestion and promoted good health. Our ancestors got plenty of useful bacteria from their diet of cultured or fermented foods. Fermentation was a method of preserving foods long before refrigeration evolved. Because they consumed so many beneficial bacteria, they did not suffer from the same lifestyle illnesses that we suffer from today.

Beneficial Bacteria

The most common beneficial bacteria are the Lactobacillus bacteria, more specifically L. acidophilus. These healthy bacteria exist in our digestive tract and also in dairy, fruit and vegetables. In the intestines, the bacteria produce lactic acid, which helps promote healthy acidity that keeps bad bacteria from growing. Lactic acid also encourages the absorption of proteins and minerals including, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and calcium. Lactobacillus bacteria are responsible for fermentation and inhibit the action of bacteria that cause the food to spoil. These bacteria increase during the fermentation process and also enhance the enzyme content of food. Fermentation also increases the vitamin B, C, K levels in food while deactivating undesirable nutrients such as phytic acid and protein inhibitors.

Natural Antibiotic

Some strains of L. acidophilus even have natural antibiotic and cancer fighting properties while other strains have been shown to be effective against a variety of viral infections including HIV, herpes, polio. These strains also produce hydrogen peroxide, which can kill undesirable yeast. Lactobacillus acidophilus strains also fight against such infectious bacteria as Streptococcus, Salmonella.

How Much Is Enough?

Just adding a spoonful of fermented foods to your daily diet provides trillions of beneficial bacteria that can go to work to improve the strength of your immune system and improve your overall health.

Have you tried fermented foods such as vegetables, kimchi, sauerkraut or miso? What’s your favorite?

– The Alternative Daily