Trillions of bacteria live in our digestive system. These “biomes”, which are a part of our digestive system, play an important role in both our mental and physical health. Gut biomes absorb nutrition from food and distribute minerals, vitamins and other nutrients into the blood through the intestinal wall.
Our digestive system is affected by the food we consume. Biome health will be greatly diminished by a diet that is high in sugar and processed foods. These foods decrease biome efficiency and expose the digestive system to pathogens like salmonella and E. coli.
Probiotics are present in fermented foods and protect the digestive system. Fermented foods contain living microflora that boost biome health. Our GI tract is home to 70% of our immune system. Fermented foods contain probiotics that boost immune health.
By rebalancing your gut biomes, adding fermented food to your diet may help cure gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. These 10 foods can improve your gut health.
1. Sauerkraut
It is possible that fermented brassicas are not visually appealing. It’s hard to imagine why anyone would eat preserved cabbage, with its yellow-beige color. Sauerkraut can make your noses scream in horror when you open the jar. This fermented food, however, is very popular in Poland and Germany where it’s part of the regular diet.
Sauerkraut that has not been pasteurized is known to aid digestion. Lactobacillus is abundant in each jar of fermented kraut. This microflora is good for constipation, and it can also cure an upset stomach. It improves the digestion capacity of gut biomes. This traditional food contains isothiocyanate substances that protect the GI system from cancer.
Sauerkraut made from organic cabbage is only composed of water, salt and cabbage. Food manufacturers often add sweeteners and preservatives to enhance taste and increase shelf life. Check the label to make sure that there are no additives. These additives kill the beneficial bacteria.
