12 Ideas to Eat More Fermented Foods for a Healthy Gut

It’s hard to miss that fermented foods have been making a comeback in the food scene and wellness industry.

And there’s good reason for that. It turns out that this age-old method to preserve fresh produce has many benefits for your health, especially your gut.

Fermentation is a natural process in which microorganisms like yeast or bacteria break down carbohydrates and covert them into alcohol or lactic acids. Not only does this improve the shelf life of foods, it also promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria known as probiotics.

Research shows that probiotics help improve your digestion, immunity and heart health. Probiotic-rich foods also support the restoration of your digestive system after taking antibiotics. What’s more, by promoting good gut bacteria, probiotic-rich foods could reduce inflammation in your body, which is the underlying cause of many diseases.

Pretty good reasons to eat more fermented foods, right? You’re probably familiar with traditional fermented foods like pickles and sauerkraut. But did you know that tempeh, Korean kimchi, kefir and kombucha are also packed with probiotic properties?

There are many guides online to showing you how to quickly pickle vegetables, make sauerkraut and ferment kimchi. But whether you make it yourself or buy them, how do you add more fermented foods to your meals? Take a look at these 12 delicious ways to eat more fermented foods for a healthy gut.