Tag along as I share my journey in learning about fermentation to aid in healing my intestinal tract. I have been having issues with what I considered to be a leaky gut. Dealing with years of acid reflux, a Hiatal hernia, and ulcers had taken a toll on my overall health.
After many doctor visits, too many medications, and being frustrated with nothing changing to any great degree, I did my own research on how to heal myself.
It was over two years ago that I started fermenting some of my vegetables to help introduce probiotics naturally into my gut. I did my best to consume fermented foods every few days when I started, but now I am focusing more on doing so every day.
Benefits of Fermentation
Introducing fermented food helped to aid in strengthening the walls of my intestines to help keep them from leaking. Apparently, the probiotics helped create a better atmosphere for healthier microbes to flourish which helped to bring balance back to my digestive system.
Fermented Cabbage
I noticed within a few days how the beneficial bacteria, known as probiotics, in my homemade fermented cabbage ( Suaerkraut Post ) had calmed down my GI issues. I have to say, it wasn't very long before I started noticing how much better I felt overall.
Kimchi
There are many sources of fermented foods that have natural probiotics other than just sauerkraut. I also make my own Kimchi ( Kimchi Post ) from home-grown Chinese cabbage.
Carrots and Cauliflower
Also, another favorite that I have fermented is a combination of veggies like carrots and cauliflower ( Carrots and Cauliflower Post ) which I really enjoy especially with a tossed salad.
Homegrown Lettuce
You can also consume other foods like plain live yogurt, tempeh (fermented soybeans), Kefir milk, sourdough, olives, pickles, and of course, Kombucha tea. These all have good bacteria that help with your overall health by adding good fiber, minerals, and vitamins as well.
Probiotic-rich foods and drinks carry other properties too, such as being, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-fungal, just to name a few.
Not only do the bacteria aid the GI tract, but they also strengthen the immune system, they help to reduce the risk of heart disease, may reduce allergies, build stronger bones, and help to regulate your blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and even aid in weight loss. I am sure many other benefits have been discovered as well. These are the main ones I found while doing my own research.
Stayed tuned for the next part of my story. Getting started with "Kombucha". Oh yeah, now that is taking fermenting to a whole new level for me.
Until next time, this is Sunscape
Sun. Scape. Ing Your Day
