Foods can be preserved by using healthy bacteria in a process know as Fermentation. Sugars are converted to alcohols and carbon dioxide in this process. Fermented foods have been getting a lot of attention recently and it's becoming common knowledge that preserving foods this way awards us with a plethora of health benefits. From aiding digestion, boosting our immune system, producing healthy hormones, and even helping to prevent depression, the benefits seem almost too good to be true.

Fermented Foods Digest Easier

Foods that have been fermented are typically easier on your digestive system because they increase the acidity of gastric juices. This counteracts the low production of hydrochloric acid in your stomach that can cause discomfort or pain for some. Vegetables become even more nutritious when fermented. These help eliminate toxins and act as an intestine detox for your body.

When we get older things get even worse. We produce less digestive enzymes that are catalysts for the digestion process. Eating a bit of fermented food along with your regular food intake is a healthy balance that will keep your gut happy.

Boost Your Immune System

Balancing pH levels of your body and helping with weight loss is another amazing benefit of eating fermented vegetables. Your immunity gets a boost from maintaining a healthy gut. Adding fermented foods such as Kefir, Natto, pickles and olives to your diet will provide you with friendly microorganisms that help your immunity balance. Unprocessed fermented foods will give you the biggest immunity boost by increasing the amount of antibodies produced, which fight off diseases.

Re-introducing microbes into your gastrointestinal tract via fermented foods also boosts immunity. Rich foods that are probiotic in nature provide a lot of nutrients that deduce cell damage and also nourish the brain.

Ferment Food, Save Money

One of the best parts about cultivating fermented food is the fact that it costs less than most other healthy foods. The key is to making fermented food at home using whey and cheap sea salt. You can also make drinks at home that'll keep your diet in check and reduce the amount of daily supplements you may already be taking. Kombucha and Water Kefir are just some of today's popular drinks that can help your diet.

You may end up eating less food overall because fermented foods pack so many nutrients. When the vitamins and enzymes in the food become more rich, you won't have to eat as much to maintain the proper amount of nutrition that your body needs. Also, preserving the food using fermentation allows it to last longer, which in turn saves you money in the long run. Some foods even get better in taste with time.

Want to learn how to ferment your own food and drinks? Check out some Fermented Food Recipes.