The Benefits of Fermentation: The New {Oldest} Way to Enjoy Your Food

If you’ve been dabbling in the real food world, you’ve probably heard the buzz about the health benefits of fermented foods. Maybe you’re wondering what all the fuss is about sauerkraut? Or perhaps you’ve become totally addicted to it, are paying an arm and a leg at your local health food store for it, and you’re waaaay too intimidated to make it yourself?

You’re in good company if a lot of this stuff sounds foreign, yet very pop culture. You see, it’s a little bit of both.

“What does fermentation even mean?”

When I first heard about it, I assumed it was just the process used to make booze like beer and wine. In reality, though, fermentation has been used to preserve all kinds of foods for thousands of years and is considered among the healthiest methods of food preparation!

Why’s that, you ask?

Believe it or not, our bodies contain over 100 trillion bacteria bugs and most of them live in our gut. There are good bugs {also known as “probiotics”} and there are bad bugs, and what is most important is outweighing the bad ones with the good, which is where fermentation saves the day!

Yep, that’s right, I said bugs. Don’t make that face just yet.

With a long list of tasks that keep us in check, consider these bugs your BFFs. These microorganisms taking up residence in our gut, are like busy bees in a hive. They aid in the digestion of food and make sure that important vitamins are absorbed and dangerous toxins are not. They regulate hormones, prevent infections, balance pH levels and maintain a healthy immune system around the clock! Check out 6 reasons probiotics boost your health here. And I thought I was busy…

But what’s so special about fermentation?

Aside from it being a cost effective way to enjoy fruit and veggies all year long, fermentation is one of the best ways to maintain the good to bad gut bacteria in your body. I stress the importance of a balanced gut bacteria because again, that’s where the benefits come from.

If the layer of good bacteria that lines the walls of your gut is damaged or over run by pathogenic bacteria {or yeast}, it can lead to poor absorption of nutrients, causing malnutrition on top of leaking toxic, foreign particles into the bloodstream.

Fermented foods are rich with good bacteria and lactic acid, a by-product proven to stop the growth of bad bacteria. It’s a total win-win and a must for those with digestion problems!

Do I have your attention yet?

If that isn’t enough of a reason to ferment, I’m excited to share this BRAND NEW {gorgeous} ebook from my friends, Tamara and Kelly, over at Oh Lardy!

Oh Lardy’s Guide to Fermenting Fruits and Vegetables is the ULTIMATE guide to getting your gut in check, healthfully and deliciously. You’ll learn:

• The importance of the roles gut bacteria play in your digestive tract.

• The basics of the process of fermentation, how it happens and why. 

• The MANY benefits of consuming fermented foods.

• What materials you need to ferment foods at home to get you on your way to becoming a confident fermenter. 

• How you know when your food is fermented and other frequently asked questions. 

• How to make almost 40 FAMILY-FRIENDLY recipes easily in your own kitchen.

…and WAY more!

Even better, as part of their launch promotion, now through Thanksgiving Day {November 27, 2014}, Tamara and Kelly are offering 30% off this incredible book. 

Later this week, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite recipes from the book, Fermented Berries, which will blow your mind and give you THE PERFECT excuse to boost your gut health.

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Have you begun to incorporate fermented foods into your diet? What health benefits have you noticed? Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear!