Fermented Foods: A Simple Way to Support Your Gut and Your Overall Health
By: Harlee Palmer Edited by: Thrive Carolinas You may have heard that fermented foods are good for your gut. But what does that actually mean, and why should you care about the bacteria in your digestive tract? The answer starts with your gut microbiome: the trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms that live primarily in your digestive tract. These microbes do much more than help you digest food. They interact with your immune system, influence metabolism, help produce important compounds, and communicate with other parts of your body—including the brain. One of the simplest ways to support this community is to regularly include fermented foods in your diet. What exactly is a fermented food? Fermentation is an ancient process in which microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast transform food. Think about what...