You may know that classic fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi are delicious and multicultural, but did you know they can also boost your health?
For research-driven insight on the power of fermentation to help you feel and perform your best, read on for Cleveland Kitchen’s Guide to the Benefits of Fermented Foods:
#1 Stronger Immune System
Your immune system is your body’s ultimate defense system. It fights off harmful pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, etc.) within your biological system and works 24/7 to prevent future invaders from doing you harm.
You can support your immune system through healthy daily habits, such as adequate exercise, sleep, and stress management, but it’s your diet that gives it the fuel it needs to do its job.
When you craft a healthy meal plan that features a daily serving of probiotic-rich, fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, you can open up your immune system to vital benefits like:
These positive impacts can help your immune system in both the short and long term, making you better equipped to fight the pathogens in your body now and any that try to harm you in the future.
With a more robust immune system, you can be one step closer to a healthier you.
#2 Enhanced Nutrition
A meal plan that satisfies your nutritional needs is an important stepping stone on the path toward a healthier, happier you.
While all kinds of diets, from vegan and vegetarian to keto, paleo, and Whole30, can help you reach your nutritional goals, it can be more difficult to find high-quality, nutritious foods that also feature mouthwatering flavors and are unapologetically delicious.
Fortunately, the ultimate fermented options offer the best of both worlds:
In a single serving of Cleveland Kitchen’s sauerkraut, classic kimchi, or fermented veggie dressings, you’ll discover tangy, spicy, sweet, savory, and umami flavors lovingly made to delight your taste buds.
You will also enjoy an incredibly diverse mix of essential nutrients, including:
What you won’t find, however, are unnecessary additives intended to add flavor at the expense of vital nutrition.
World-class fermented foods utilize ancient culinary techniques for exquisite taste, extended preservation, and dietary versatility. You can pair them with your favorite foods without worrying about:
Pro Tip: If probiotics are new to you, it can sometimes feel challenging to make them an enjoyable part of your daily routine. For help, check out our blog post on Working Fermented Foods into Your Diet.
#3 Improved Digestion
A nutritional meal plan is essential to healthy living, but it is practically useless if you lack a robust, fully-functioning digestive system to make the most of it.
While severe conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis always require the guidance and treatment of a medical professional, you can alleviate some minor digestive woes through simple lifestyle choices.
In addition to proper rest, hydration, exercise, and sleep, a diet composed of nutritious foods and high-quality probiotics is remarkably helpful to your digestion.
Fortunately, delicious fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi are loaded with critical probiotic strains like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides.
As part of your well-rounded, healthy lifestyle, these powerful microorganisms can positively influence your digestive system and contribute to:
Pro Tip: For more information on using your microbiome to aid your digestive tract and general health, check out our in-depth blog post on Biohacking Gut Health with Fermented Foods.
#4 Healthier Gut-Brain Axis
Perhaps the most underrated benefit of fermented foods is their positive influence on the connection between your gut (microbiome) and brain -- also known as the gut-brain axis (GBA).
As documented by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Harvard Medical School, the gut-brain axis is the vital system that connects your mind and microbiome through a complex series of communications.
This connection allows your microbiome to significantly impact your mental and emotional health, regulating your mood and cognitive function on a daily basis.
When you routinely feed your microbiome with healthy servings of probiotics, like those found in high-quality fermented foods, you give the gut-brain axis the fuel it needs to function correctly.
A robust GBA populated with essential microorganisms can contribute to a variety of mental and emotional health benefits, such as
Cleveland Kitchen’s Fermented Foods
Now that you know how fermented foods can profoundly benefit your health, it’s time to check out Cleveland Kitchen’s diverse and delicious range of fermented goodness:
From our spectacular varieties of sauerkraut to our classic kimchi and five tasty dressings, we have no shortage of yummy, probiotic-rich options to help boost your nutrition, immune function, GBA, digestion, and more.
Plus, if you are looking to inject some fun and flavor into your meal plan, we also offer a wide range of delicious recipes inspired by our fermented veggies.
From our Vegetarian Deli Sandwich to our Roasted Garlic Mac and Cheese, Pork Chops, and KBBQ Burger, our recipes span all types of diets to help you find simple, fermentation-driven meals that treat your taste buds and body right.
For more about Cleveland Kitchen’s mission to bring fermented foods to the American diet, keep up with our weekly blog and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with our world of kraut, kimchi, and dressings!
Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.