Fermented food is going off

In recent years, interest in fermented foods has been on the rise.

But what does the layman need to know about the health benefits, risks, and flavours of fermented foods?

Surf Coast Functional Nutritionist Melissa Aytan said the increased interest in fermented foods comes as people are learning about the health benefits of having healthy gut microbiome.

“Fermented foods can play an important role in increased gut microbiome diversity, altered microbiome composition and decreased levels of inflammation markers,” Melissa said.”Fermented foods are an easy cost-effective way of supporting the gut microbiome over more expensive supplements. There is also greater diversity of beneficiaL bacteria in fermented foods over supplements and the culinary appeal of eating real, whole foods rather than swallowing a pill.”

Fermented foods are a probiotic, with health benefits including:

• Creates beneficial enzymes
• Creates B vitamins
• Reduces inflammation in the body
• Reduces IBS symptoms
• Increases immunity
• Creates Vitamin K2
• Regulates microbiome
• Reduces sugar cravings
• Helps regulate appetite

Surf Coast Dietitian Nadia Maxwell said although fermented foods have come into vogue more recently, they have been around for thousands of years.

“Most ancient civilisations have at least one fermented food within their traditional foods. Many of these have become popular globally, such as kimchi, miso and sauerkraut.

“The human body has just as many, if not more, bacteria cells than human cells. So, I get why people are interested!”

Nadia said fermented foods are extremely diverse as different foods have different properties that are suited to different strains of bacteria, all of which will have variable health benefits for the consumer.

“It’s not just the existing nutrients in the food or the bacteria themselves that confer health benefits, but also the byproducts of the fermentation process, such as short-chain fatty acids.

“There is some research that shows that specific fermented foods can have a positive impact on mood and brain activity, blood sugar balance and heart health, just to name a few.”

Nadia said it is also important to include prebiotic foods in your diet alongside fermented foods, including fibre-containing foods such as all fruit, vegetables and wholegrains.