Fermented Foods Benefits in Fighting Against Diabetes
Diets in many South East- and Far East-Asian nations include a variety of fermented foods. Traditionally, fermentation was used as a method to preserve food, and this is one of the chief reasons why fermented foods have become a part of Asian cuisine. In western nations, the rise of refrigerators may be a reason why fermented foods are not as common. But beyond extending shelf life, fermented foods also offer many health benefits, and this is another big reason why fermented dishes are so common in Asian countries.
What is the Process of Fermentation
During fermentation, micro-organisms—these could be bacteria, or yeast, or a type of fungi—act on organic matter, converting sugars and starch into alcohol and acids, which act as natural preservatives. This is also what gives fermented foods their distinctively sour and strong flavors.
The breakdown of sugar and starch also serves to enhance naturally occurring beneficial bacteria, which are known as probiotics or ‘good bacteria. These bacteria are known to be excellent for digestive health. They also address a multitude of other health issues.
Balancing Physical, Mental & Emotional Factors
The enteric nervous system (aka, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis) links the gut and brain. Basically, the gut lining is chock-full with neurons that have been shown to influence emotion. Serotonin—a neurotransmitter associated with elevation of mood – is produced in the gut, suggesting that in contributing to a healthy gut, probiotic bacteria is also enabling a healthy, emotionally stable mind.
Vitamins and Gut Health
We all know the importance of vitamins for good health. Vitamins are needed for the body to form enzymes that in turn are required by all living cells for biochemical reactions. Unfortunately, the human body is unable to produce many vitamins, and so it depends on microorganisms to do the job. These microorganisms are the probiotic bacteria that are found in the gut, where they synthesize starches and sugars to produce vitamin K and many of the water‐soluble B vitamins, including cobalamin, folates, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and thiamine.
The Diabetes Connection
We all know that diet has a huge impact on causing as well as reversing diabetes. This was brought home by a recent study, conducted in Denmark. The study showed how gut bacteria in diabetics is significantly different from non-diabetics.
The compositional changes in intestinal microbiota are strongly linked to Type 2 diabetes.
The good news is that with a few changes diabetics can do a lot to balance their gut microbiome, simply by regularly consuming fermented foods. While supplements can help, it is better to eschew them in favor of natural sources. Because even a small half-cup serving of fermented food contains 10 trillion
pro-biotic organisms are —100 times higher in probiotics than a supplement!
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