When shopping for fruits and vegetables, it makes perfect sense that you should opt for the freshest varieties that you can find. However, there are also selections that are good for you even though billions of bacteria have already feasted on them. These fermented food products are revered for their unique tastes as well as various health benefits offered.
The presence of friendly bacteria in them is what makes these fermented goods highly recommended by numerous health and wellness authorities. Other than the taste buds, both the digestive and immune systems are also the direct beneficiaries of the consumption of these products. Continue reading to know 7 fermented food products you should try having.
Kimchi
A traditional Korean side dish, kimchi is fermented cabbage with added ingredients such as scallions, radish, ginger and garlic. This spicy food product helps boost the energy and digestion. Because kimchi promotes detoxification, its regular consumption is said to help make the skin look glowing with youthful beauty and health.
Sauerkraut
Directly translated as “sour cabbage”, sauerkraut is simply fermented thin slices of cabbage. Containing iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamins C and K, health experts say that the consumption of sauerkraut may help alleviate anxiety and depression due to the fermented food product’s positive impact on the brain.
Miso
A staple in so many tasty Japanese dishes, miso is derived by fermenting soybeans. What makes it popular is the fact that it contains over 80 nutrients, including amino acids, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium, phosphorous, potassium and vitamins A, K, B6 and B12. Yes, miso also contains billions of bacteria beneficial for your wellbeing.
Tempeh
Just like miso, tempeh is a traditional soy-based product that is highly popular in Indonesia. While many may mistake it for tofu, tempeh is actually brownish and dry, and formed by fermenting cooked soybeans.
Pickles
What makes pickles easy to incorporate into the diet is they are already highly familiar to you. Readily available at your local supermarket, this product loaded with gut-friendly bacteria can be easily added into sandwiches, burgers, poppers, pasta sauces, salad dressings and dips so you may take advantage of it in an assortment of delectable ways.
Coconut Yogurt
It’s no secret that yogurt is very good for you — provided that you are not allergic to dairy products. Worry not if you are because you may simply opt for coconut yogurt. This super food is just as creamy and tasty as the real deal. More importantly, coconut yogurt is also packed with tons of bacteria that bolster the digestive and immune systems.
Kombucha
This sparkling fermented black tea is loved by many for its distinctive earthy flavor and health-giving goodness. A lot of today’s manufacturers offer kombucha in a variety of flavors to make the beverage appeal to as many people as possible. Although admired for the sheer amount of friendly microorganisms it contains, kombucha is also loaded with sugar.
