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Fermentation has been done long before the existence of refrigeration. It is one of the ways to preserve vegetables and even fruits. It is a metabolic process that causes chemical changes with the help of enzymes produced during the fermentation process.
And, it is obvious, fermentation is very useful in preserving certain vegetables and fruits, and they’re packed with health benefits.
The enzymes produced in the fermentation process are beneficial for gut health, and when it comes to anti-aging, fermented foods are packed with essential nutrients for staying young.
Moreover, it’s not just solid foods that can be fermented but liquid, as well.
For instance, vinegar that comes from various sources also undergo fermentation process. It includes apple cider vinegar, which as tremendous health benefits to offer. It can even neutralize harmful chemicals making it useful for washing fruits and vegetables.
Fermented Foods For Optimal Health
Eating a diet packed with nutrients is crucial to maintaining and optimizing the body’s health. Foods rich in essential minerals and vitamins along with micronutrients gives the cells the necessary building blocks for disease prevention and regeneration.
All these play a crucial role for essential long-term wellness and slowing down the aging process.
Fortunately, the foods that have these characteristics perfectly fit with fermented foods. As mentioned earlier, fermentation is one of the process of preserving foods in the ancient days when refrigeration is not yet available.
In the fermentation process natural microbes like yeast and bacteria under anaerobic condition transforms sugars into alcohol or acids. During the fermentation process, probiotics is produced, a good bacteria beneficial to the gut flora.
Consumption of probiotics significantly enhances the gut health and provides the body with many benefits including a boost of the immune system.
Science-Based Anti-Aging Benefits of Fermented Foods
Around the world, older population is growing. In the United States alone, almost 35% of Americans are 45 years old and older. Of course, the search for the fountain of youth is ongoing. At present, anti-aging is a billion-dollar industry.
But you don’t have to spend in expensive anti-aging products. A regular consumption of fermented foods is not only effective but safe and free from side-effects.
Today, studies have shown the health benefits of fermented foods. Here are some of the health benefits back by science on fermented foods with anti-aging benefits.
- Highly beneficial for the digestion
- Enhances the body’s immune system
- Gastrointestinal diseases treatment and prevention
- Heal colds and flu quicker
- Reduce the risk of developing heart disease
- Beneficial for improving symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Anti-aging benefits
One study study says on fermented foods with anti-aging benefits;
Research has focused on effective strategies to delay this process and thus increase both lifespan and well-being. Fermented food products seem to be a promising alternative due to the immunomodulatory effect of microorganisms and elevated amounts of bioactive compounds. Indeed, a series of anti-aging related benefits have been reported, some of which have been attributed to specific compounds such as genistein and daidzein in soybeans, while others are yet to be discovered.
DAS G, PARAMITHIOTIS S, SUNDARAM SIVAMARUTHI B, WIJAYA CH, SUHARTA S, SANLIER N, SHIN HS, PATRA JK. TRADITIONAL FERMENTED FOODS WITH ANTI-AGING EFFECT: A CONCENTRIC REVIEW. FOOD RES INT. 2020 AUG;134:109269. DOI: 10.1016/J.FOODRES.2020.109269. EPUB 2020 APR 23. PMID: 32517898.
Top Fermented Foods with Anti-Aging Benefits
There are lots of fermented foods and drinks available. In fact, you can make your own fermented at home yourself. But which fermented foods and drinks are the top choices when it comes to anti-aging benefits?
If we choose five fermented foods with anti-aging benefits among dozens of others, here are the top 5 choices.
- Fermented vegetables like kimchi and sauerkraut.
- Miso, which is a fermented tofu.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Yogurt
- Kombucha
However, do not limit yourself to these top 5 fermented foods with anti-aging benefits because others like tempeh and kefir are also packed with nutritional benefits.
Final Thoughts
Fermented foods are considered whole foods. Although they are preserved but the preservation through fermentation is natural and no synthetic chemicals are used.
There are plenty of recipes or cookbooks for fermented foods with anti-aging benefits mentioned above. It may be difficult to prepare it for the first time but the more often you do it, the easier it gets.
Of course, there may a whole food store or restaurant in your area offering fermented foods. If that’s the case, you can simply order it from them and enjoy it.
Now, for some people who are not accustomed to the taste of fermented foods, it may taste different. However, it does not mean it is impossible to eat it.
Aim to make fermented foods as part of your regular diet especially for meat eaters, consider fermented foods as your side dishes. Or, replace your sugary drinks with kombucha.
On the other hand, yogurt can also be used as dressing on your salads. The same is true with apple cider vinegar, a perfect dressing for greens along with some healthy oils like olive or coconut oil.