The health benefits of fermentation may surprise you
When you think of fermentation, you most likely think of wine, beer, cheese and yogurt, but fermentation has moved beyond some of these staples and into everything from proteins to greens supplements. Fermentation is not new. It has been used by many cultures for centuries, think kimchi, miso or sauerkraut.
Fermentation is a process whereby natural bacteria or yeast are added to the food source, breaking down the food's starches and carbohydrates (sugars) into either alcohol or organic acids. The process is beneficial to help preserve food, but it also helps to increase the level of nutrients in your diet (vitamin Bs, Omega 3s, and even some strains of probiotics). Fermentation also helps to remove some of those harmful nutrients (yes, there are harmful nutrients), such as phytates and lignans, which are sort of like a thin mesh covering nutrients in some foods, which can inhibit nutrient absorption and cause digestive issues. The fermentation of foods helps to break down this thin covering so you can better absorb the nutrients.
Eating fermented foods is a great way to add probiotics into your daily regime, which has proven benefits for improving digestion, cognitive function & boosting immunity. Some great compounds, such as conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), are produced during fermentation, which have a blood pressure-lowering effect and fat-burning benefits. Other compounds produced have anti-microbial effects, anti-carcinogenic, antifungal and antioxidant advantages. Fermented foods support good gut health, which supports good immune health.
Fermented Supplements: the New Generation of Nutrition
The Genuine Health fermented supplement line is an excellent example of how fermentation has sparked new developments in natural health products. Fermented supplements increase the body's ability to absorb nutrients, improve the intensity of the active ingredients (making them better and more robust) and boost how effectively they work.
Genuine Health Fermented Whole Body Nutrition is a revolutionary fermented superfood formula that provides the fundamental nourishment for the building blocks of life: phytonutrients, protein, fibre, essential fatty acids and more, all while supporting healthy gut bacteria! Their unique fermentation process results in an advanced superfood supplement, providing superior absorption of fermented protein, fermented fibre, fermented plant foods, essential fatty acids, and proven ingredients that target and benefit key body systems, all while advancing digestive health!
Genuine Health Fermented Proteins transform proteins into readily available amino acids so the body can immediately use them to fuel energy muscles and nourish a healthy gut lining! Genuine Health Fermented Vegan Proteins+ provides the same great benefits of fermentation by using fully fermented vegan ingredients: pea, brown rice, hemp, quinoa, alfalfa, spirulina, and mung beans, providing 20g of highly absorbable plant-powered protein – with NO BLOAT
Genuine Health Fermented Gut Superfoods captures the health benefits of polyphenols and fermentation in a superfood just for the gut! With 21 fermented polyphenol-rich vegetables, fruits, and culinary herbs, this supplement amplifies nutritional value. It helps support gut health by creating entirely new nutrients nourishing the gut and can support healthy gut bacteria populations. The addition of fermented prebiotic fibre encourages even more good bacteria to grow, making this supplement one of our favourite prebiotic gut superfoods.
How to Get Fermented Foods into Your Everyday Diet
Supplementing with Fermented superfoods is one of the most convenient and efficient ways to increase your fermented superpowers. But don't overlook the benefits of what is in your pantry or fridge!
Consider adding yogurt to soups, salad dressings, smoothies, etc. To benefit from yogurt, make sure the label says 'live active cultures' and avoid the ones with added sugar and syrups. Greek yogurt is an excellent option.
Kefir (drinkable yogurt) contains different beneficial bacteria and may be surprisingly more nutritious. It also supplies high levels of probiotics, complete protein, vitamin B12, and other essential minerals.
Sip on Miso soup, a traditional Japanese paste made from fermenting soybeans. Not only is it a complete protein, but it also stimulates the digestive system.
Tempeh burgers or tempeh nuggets are the perfect plant-based alternative to an animal-based protein.
Switch to sourdough bread, as the starches and grains from the bread are predigested from the bacteria and yeast, making it easier to digest and a much healthier option than any processed white bread. It's also typically lower on the glycemic index scale.
Before jumping all over Kombucha (a fermented drink made with tea and a culture of bacteria and yeast, which has many benefits), be sure it is not pasteurized to maintain the probiotic benefits. Also, brands do matter in terms of quality. Unpasteurized, poorly manufactured, cheaper versions of Kombucha may cause bacterial infections.
Resources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28945458
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11016606
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3921482/
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bmfh/34/2/34_2014-017/_article
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303846/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5216880/
