Health Benefits of Fermented Foods - Improve My Gut Health

Super Bacteria Working for You
So what’s all the talk about bacteria and gut microbiota, you ask……Well as you may or may not know everyone has up to two kilos (yes two kilos) of bacteria, yeasts, fungi and other microorganisms that live, grow and are responsible for the ability we have of digesting the food we eat. It all starts when we are born and are exposed to the bacteria of the world and continues to increase in variety and quantity through our lives as we grow. This is the beginning of our ‘Gut Microbiome’.Your microbiome is the collective term for the bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts that inhabit our gut and allow the extraction of nutrients from the food we eat.  
As a general rule the greater diversity of our gut microbiome, the better our digestive system will function. Our microbiome operates symbiotically and as long as we are giving it the right foods and conditions it will look after us and spend less time trying to control you (the host). They actively manipulate hormone production and release which can create cravings and satisfactions for the particular types of food they like best. That’s right your gut bacteria actually have the ability to manipulate your desire to eat and in some cases the types of foods you want to eat as well, according to their particular preferences.It has been discovered and scientifically tested, that the gut microbiome is able to influence the nervous system via the ‘Vagus Nerve’ to, in essence, manipulate the production of hormones in the Hypothalamus. Basically it can make you feel good when it gets what it likes, amazing!

Throughout our lives our gut microbiome develops diversity and is constantly evolving to our environment and the foods we eat. Antibiotics are indiscriminate and can wipe out large proportions of your gut bacteria and decrease the bio diversity of your gut microbiome. There are lots of things you can do to support the repopulation and increase the diversity of your gut microbiome if you need to take antibiotics. One of the most effective, proven and natural ways though is by regularly eating a range of fermented foods. Kimchi, Tempeh, Sauerkraut, Miso, Yoghurt, Kombucha and Kefir (milk and water)