Your gut is alive with millions of bacteria – good and harmful ones. These inhabitants play a big role in your gut health, which in turn, contributes to your physical and mental wellbeing.
Research shows that you can support your immune system and reduce inflammation by better balancing the bacteria demographic of your gut. By digesting good bacteria and moving friendly microorganisms into your gut neighbourhood, you can create a climate that is conducive to good health.
Your digestive system is a complex organism that’s affected by our modern lifestyle – stress, sleep, and antibiotics all play a part but it’s what you put into your system that matters most.
The food that you eat plays a key role in achieving bacteria balance. Processed or high-sugar foods can tip the scales in the wrong way. But if you include fermented foods in your diet you can experience the benefits of good gut health and tip the scales back in your favour.
What is fermentation?
Fermentation is an ancient way to prepare food that is traditional too many cultures. Today it’s making a modern comeback as more people buy or learn to make fermented foods.
The slow and natural process breaks down carbohydrates and sugars so that we end up with food products that are easier to digest. These foods are full of live cultures that contain the good bacteria (probiotics) that science shows us we need to grow good gut flora.
Probiotic means ‘for life’ and these positive life organisms live naturally in our gut. We can also boost their numbers by eating healthy, fermented foods that support good gut health.
Which foods can improve my gut bacteria?
Here’s our pick of fermented foods that taste good and can also do you good:
1. Yoghurt
Yoghurt is one of the most readily available probiotic foods, and it’s easy to add a serve to your breakfast cereal or a fruit snack.
2. Kombucha
When this fermented tea is made the live bacteria and yeast eat the sugars, so kombucha becomes a low carb fizzy drink that is beneficial for gut health.
3. Sauerkraut
Cabbage is the fermented ingredient in sauerkraut, which is full of fibre, vitamins and probiotics. It’s a sour tasting condiment or side dish that contains enzymes that support digestion.
4. Kefir
Kefir is a yoghurt-like drink that’s fermented by adding starter culture. These ‘grains’ multiply and transform the milk’s sugar (lactose) into good bacteria that you can enjoy.
5. Pickled Vegetables
Pickles are a classic food and a great way to preserve vegetables. Almost any vegetable can be pickled if soaked in salt brine or vinegar long enough for fermentation to take place.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
This ancient natural remedy is made from fermented apple juice. Apple cider vinegar is a great probiotic you can drink in small doses or use as salad dressing. It is said to support weight loss.
7. Tempeh
Tempeh is a popular protein and probiotic source made from fermented soybeans. It’s commonly used as a meat-substitute in stir-fry dishes.
8. Sourdough Bread
Sourdough is made more slowly than modern bread and with less ingredients. The flour, water and ‘starter’ create natural yeasts and lactobacilli (good bacteria) that make it easy to digest.
9. Green Peas
The humble green pea contains a potent probiotic, which can aid your digestive system. It’s easy to add fresh peas to dinner dishes like pasta or curries or salads.
10. Garlic, Leeks & Onions
These staple ingredients add great flavour to meals. They also taste pretty good to your gut bacteria. Their unique prebiotic fibre feeds and nourishes the good bacteria in your digestive system.
If life is too busy to make your own sauerkraut or kombucha, Nutrition Care has the simple solution to boost your gut bacteria and aid your dietary efforts.
Our unique NC Gut Relief powder is a comprehensive herbal nutritional formula that helps maintain gut integrity and function.
You can also enlist the support of our Broad Spectrum Probiotic, Polybac 8. The unique Nutrition Care combination of eight bacterial strains will assist you to maintain a normal healthy gut. It’s an easy way to boost your intestinal immune function and balance intestinal microflora.
Checkout our convenient Store Locator to discover where you can pick up our NC Gut Relief 150g Powder or Polybac 8 powders to balance your bacteria.