These types of products are sometimes thought to be just trendy food but the reality is that they have been part of our diet for centuries. If it is true that the search for those healthier and cultural globalization have brought us closer to many that we did not know. Most of them are very interesting for our food, so we want to list and describe a little here. what are fermented foods. Those who can give you the most for the benefits that have. Discover them!
How are these products?
If you do not know what are fermented foods, we clarify that they are those who have undergone a process of transformation by the action of bacteria and yeast. In this process, sugars are transformed into acids, alcohol or gas that help preserve the product. This technique has been used by our ancestors as a way of keep food for times when nature did not provide this food.
In our culture, the best known fermentations have always been the came, el pan, cheese and beer. Later the yogurt and kefir. Currently, we hear about or consume products such as sauerkraut, miso, Kombucha and some others that we will see later.
What benefits do they bring?
Consumption fermented gives us four big and advantages in our diet, they are the following:
- They have a probiotic effect in our gut. Let's not forget that the intestine is where our immune system, helping to produce antibodies against pathogens. This effect helps prevent diseases. They also avoid allergies and high cholesterol levels.
- The fermented ones are a great source of nutrients and minerals. They provide us with group B vitamins, vitamin K and vitamin C.
- One of the important functions of the action of fermented products is that they help us to reduce toxins and heavy minerals. This can be very important to our health. Actually in the fermentation process a pre-digestion has been carried out and it simplifies our digestion by helping to assimilate many nutrients. This process helps many people with digestive problems or flatulence.
- By last. We must mention that it is a good preservation system. Although many fermentations can be done at home, they must be know the techniques to avoid poisoning.
What are fermented foods?
Yogurt
It's a product dairy fermented by bacteria that provides microorganisms. These help to regenerate the gut and compete efficiently against pathogenic bacteria. Keeping them, in this way, controlled.
Kefir
Similar to yogurt, more microorganisms (bacteria and yeasts) act in its fermentation. Its consistency is more liquid. You can also find the kefir made with a water base where milk does not participate. In this case, the protein and fat content of the milk is non-existent.
umeboshi
With its name, you can get an idea that it comes from the Japanese gastronomy. It consists of the fermentation of red plum with salt. It is a very precious food, since it detoxifies the liver and facilitates the digestion of fatty meats. It also fights the acidity of the organism at the same time that it opens the appetite. It is usually eaten before every meal accompanied by a little rice or vegetables.
miso
El miso is a soybean paste and cereals like wheat and rice that ferments with a fungus (Aspergillus oryzae). It is used in many places of Asia to prepare soups as starters or in preparations, since its enzymes help a good digestion.
Sauerkraut
El sauerkraut es Fermented cabbage With salt. It was used to accompany meat dishes in winters in cold places where there were no vegetables. In the same way, as we have seen in the umeboshi, is a great liver cleanser and antioxidant. It also helps with uric acid and intestinal problems.
Pickles
With properties similar to sauerkraut, we find that between what are fermented foods there is also vegetables, calls pickles. Usually beets, turnips or cucumbers were used for its preparation.
tempeh
El Tempeh It is the fruit of the fermentation of white soy beans with a mushroomRhyzopus Oligosporus). Its origin is Indonesian and it is really interesting in the diet. In addition to being very protein and having isoflavones, the fruit of soy origin, it has a very active role as probiotic. It also efficiently regulates the blood sugar being very positive for people with diabetes.
Amazon
It is a liquid drink (sometimes in the form of mush) very energetic fruit of the rice fermentation before the alcohol is produced, following the same process as the sake. It is known as Japanese yogurt. It has probiotic and energetic properties and provides many vitamins, especially group B. It is usually taken as a drink or as custard or cream for dessert.
Kombucha
It is a drink based on fermented black tea with bacteria and yeasts. It has a high probiotic action helping the immune system. It also has an action detoxifying in the body. Its flavor is between sour and sweet. Currently they are macerated with other fruits and we can find it with various flavors. A good example is the Kombucha de Vitae.
tepache
It is the fruit of fermentation of corn with pineapple and cane sugar. Its fermentation is fast and has no alcohol. It has a great diuretic, digestive and detoxifying action. It is the natural probiotic drink of Mexico.
purple chicha
One of the national drinks of the Peru which has its origins in the time INCA. It is the result of the fermentation of purple corn with water and cane sugar. If the drink is alcoholic it will be called garlic chicha.
In summary, all these products provide interesting benefits to your diet, now you know what are fermented foods and you can look for them to take them regularly.
