We’ve all had those days where we wake up feeling incredibly sluggish, our digestion is entirely out of whack, and we just feel… off. It is a heavy, tired feeling that sits in your stomach and drains your energy. You try your absolute best to eat right. You try to get enough sleep. You try to exercise and drink enough water. But sometimes, despite all of your hard work, it feels like your own body is fighting against you.
It can be incredibly frustrating. It is exhausting to feel tired all the time, and it is confusing when the standard advice of “eat less, move more” just doesn’t seem to work.
But what if the secret to feeling better, losing weight, and fighting off that lingering seasonal cold isn’t about eating less? What if it’s actually about eating more—specifically, more of the tiny, living organisms that we’ve spent the last century trying to scrub away with harsh soaps, chemicals, and sanitizers?
Recently, scientists and researchers have been uncovering some incredible truths about probiotics and fermented foods. It was only last month that Professor Angelo Tremblay of Universite Laval reported that with probiotic intervention in diet, one can lose twice as much weight as through a diet devoid of it. Imagine that—doubling your weight loss simply by adding the right kind of bacteria to your meals. The latest research from Cambridge University researchers marks another win for fermented low-fat dairy foods, such as yogurt, fromage frais and cottage cheese. According to the study, probiotics could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 25 per cent over 11 years.
Now, I am in no power to question these scientists, but I wonder why microbes are all of a sudden taking over health news.
A little research into it informed me that, microbes are actually masters of adaptation. I mean, why wouldn’t they be? You can find them in the most inhabitable places like bone chilling polar caps, mouth of active volcanoes, and even in our digestive tract.
You sterilize your surrounding disrupting their habitat, attack them with antibiotics and what not, but they still come back. They are relentless. So, finally the world is bowing down to their domination.
Anyway, I’m here in no mood to praise their survivor skills. I only wish to inform you as to why and how their skills can be leveraged to benefit our health.
So, our intestines are like a microbial farm. We provide these microbes with furnished home and plenty of food, in return, they produce beneficial nutrients and help defend us from pathogens.
Now, the question is why fermented foods are good for us?
This takes me to explain first, what happens during fermentation. It is essentially a process of breakdown of complex molecules to simpler smaller ones. This is assisted by microbes. They are the workers here who work in absence of oxygen to turn milk to yogurt and grains to bubbly beer.
So, basically, fermented foods are ‘pre-digested’ by good bacteria and yeast. They eat it before us, breaking sugars and starches into nutrients which are more easily absorbed by our system.
Forgive me to put it this way, but they are actually bacterial poop and by products.
Flushing dirty images aside, remember, fermented foods are very effective in way that they are healthy supplements natural in every sense. The sour taste due to lactic acid acidifies our intestinal environment which further stimulates growth of good bacteria.
In my last article on probiotics (Eat More, Lose More), I explained how gut is our “second brain” and gut flora our “auxiliary cavalry” contributing 80% to the immune system’s capacity. When you think about it, 80% is a massive number. It means that the vast majority of your ability to fight off sickness, stay energized, and feel healthy comes directly from the tiny bugs living in your stomach and intestines.
But we have a major problem on our hands. With the rise in intake of antibiotics and antibacterial cleansing products, our gut soldiers are dying an untimely death, posing threat to our future health. We are constantly washing our hands with harsh chemicals, eating heavily processed foods, and taking medicine that wipes out the good bacteria right along with the bad. It is like constantly spraying weed killer on your own garden and wondering why the flowers won’t grow.
Because of this and various other factors, we need to supplement with probiotics. A lactobacillus-reuteri supplement is a good one to start with, as it specifically targets the health of your gut lining.
Benefits of Fermented foods
When you start treating your gut like a farm that needs tending, the benefits are practically endless. Here is exactly what happens when you make fermented foods a priority in your daily routine:
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Relief to someone who suffers with persistent coughs and colds: Instead of being sick for weeks on end, your newly strengthened “auxiliary cavalry” fights off the sickness much faster. You bounce back quicker and feel stronger.
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Controls the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, bloating, and flatulence: By letting the bacteria do the hard work of breaking down food before you eat it, your stomach doesn’t have to struggle. This means less gas, less pain, and a much happier, calmer digestive tract.
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Fights common allergies and flu: A healthy, balanced gut flora acts like an invisible shield inside your body, catching outside invaders before they make you completely miserable.
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Helps reduce weight and maintain a healthy figure on scale: Because these foods help your body process complex sugars and starches so efficiently, you absorb the pure nutrients you need without storing excess fat.
What are some common fermented foods?
You don’t need a science degree to find these. You just need to look for:
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Coffee (Only the washed and pre-crushed ones, not the beans), chocolate and tea. But do not consume them in excess.
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Sourdough bread and cheese
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Creme fraiche, yogurt and Kefir
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Wine, beer and vinegar
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Pickles
So, how much should I have them?
When it comes to friendly bacteria, the more the merrier – there’s no such thing as a harmful amount. You do not have to overhaul your entire diet overnight to see the benefits. That is too overwhelming for anyone.
Instead, try adding just one of these items to your daily routine. Have some yogurt with your breakfast. Put a slice of sourdough bread on your lunch plate. Have a small piece of chocolate or a cup of tea in the afternoon. So, have them whenever you can, make your gut flora bloom and reap benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Let the microbes do the heavy lifting for you!
