What is Fermentation? And How Fermented Food & Beverages Benefit Our Health?
Fermentation is the process that turns sugar into energy. It’s an oxygen-free chemical reaction that converts carbs into alcohol and acids. Microorganisms like yeast and bacteria and even human cells do it.
On top of that, fermentation is a vital process in human nutrition. Some of our favorite foods and beverages are made through fermentation. They’re the products of our efforts to preserve nutrition resources long before we could count on refrigeration. Fermented foods are essentially aged foods.
The First Fermented Drinks
There are records of fermented drinks in the early Egyptian civilization, in China - dating as far back as the 7,000 B.C., in Iran around 5,000 B.C, and in India from 3000 and 2000 B.C.
And did you know that archeologists recently discovered a wine that is over 3,000 years old?
The fermented beverage was a blend of rice, honey, and grapes and was discovered in clay pots that were sealed by corrosion, preserving it for modern scientists to analyze.
But that’s not all, back in 2004, again in China, an even older wine was discovered. It was estimated to be 9,000 years old!
Fermentation is an important artifact of our nutrition history that still plays a vital role in our health. Foods like yogurt, cheese, and sauerkraut and drinks like ginger beer, wine, and kombucha are full of unique appetite-invoking flavors and many nutritional benefits.
Which Are the Health Benefits of Fermented Foods and Drinks?
Fermented foods and beverages are linked to several health benefits and in many cases, they’re even more nutritious than their fresh counterparts.
In fact, fermented foods and drinks are making a comeback in popularity, and the market for these goods is predicted to reach $689 billion by 2023.
So which are the health advantages of the fermented goods that make them so popular?
Fermented Foods & Drinks Improve Digestive Health
During fermentation probiotics (live microorganisms) get formed and they’re one of the healthiest products of the process. Probiotics restore the balance of healthy bacteria in our gut and with that ease digestion problems. They also help with bloating, gas, constipation, and other digestive system-related health issues.
Fermented Foods & Drinks Boost Immunity
Probiotics can also help us maintain our immune system in good shape. Regularly consuming fermented foods and drinks reduce the risk of infections and helps us recover faster from seasonal illnesses like the common cold.
As a plus fermented goods are rich in vitamin C, B12, and minerals like iron and zinc that help us boost our immune system and fight off bacteria and viruses.
Fermented Foods & Drinks Help Break Down Nutrients
Fermented products are the result of carbohydrates getting broken down into acids and alcohol. That process makes nutrients easier to digest and absorb.
For instance, milk contains lactose, a sugar that gets broken down into simpler sugars like glucose and galactose during fermentation. That helps our bodies to digest milk and use it for its nutritional benefits.
Similarly, fermentation helps us remove antinutrients from our bodies. Phytates and lectins found in seeds, grains, legumes, and nuts that inhibit nutrient absorption are eliminated from our bodies thanks to the process of fermentation.
Fermented Foods & Drinks Support Heart & Mental Health
The probiotics Lactobacillus Helveticus and Bifidobacterium Longum are linked to improved mental health. A recent study has found that the compounds can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression and they’re both found in fermented products.
Fermented foods have also been connected to lower risks of health diseases. A study on the potential of probiotics in helping with heart issues has shown that these microorganisms actually eat cholesterol, they break it down and use it for nourishment. And while there’s more research to be done, probiotics are shown to modestly reduce blood pressure and the total amount of bad cholesterol in our bodies.
Fermented foods & drinks promote healthy weight loss
Fermented foods help reduce inflammation in the body, thus supporting healthy weight-loss. These foods and drinks assist in restoring balance and killing off unfriendly gut bacteria that are often associated with weight issues and even obesity. Adding fermented foods and drinks to your diet can help protect against harmful intruders and weight problems.
Sauerkraut and pickles may not be the first foods you think of when you think of healthy eating. But as it turns out fermentation is a wonderful process that not only helps us preserve food longer but provides many health benefits. Adding fermented foods to your diet can only improve your overall health and add a kick to a sometimes bland diet. And if you’re looking to spice things even more nicely fermented beverages are the way to go.