Fermented food covers everything from yoghurt and cheese to bread, sauerkraut, and Kombucha. So, what’s so great about fermented food, and how can you incorporate more of it into your diet? While fermentation is actually a preservation technique, the way it preserves the foods actually makes them healthier for you – especially for your gut health.

Fermented food has natural bacteria cultured on it, so that instead of rotting, the natural bacteria begins breaking down the components that cause bad bacteria as they age, such as sugars and starches. So aside from lasting longer, what other benefits does it hold? Well, fermented food massively improves and supports your gut health, which in turn, helps boost your health overall.

Since the natural bacteria has broken down the heavy starches and sugars, your digestive system has a lot less work to do. Foods that may normally upset your stomach could be easier to digest with just a bit of fermentation. This can even be beneficial for incorporating new foods into your diet – for example if you’re lacking in your serves of veggies due to not being able to digest them very well, fermented veggies can help you get back on track.

Since fermented food is filled to the brim with probiotics, it’s really no surprise that it improves the flora in your gut. This controls bowel and intestinal health, boosts your immune system and has even been thought to help prevent cancer. Gut health is also linked to mental health, so taking care of it really is the best way to keep everything in balance. Combined with the exceptional range of extra vitamins found in fermented foods, your overall health is massively improved with the consumption of fermented foods.

The best part about all of this new info? Well, it’s actually super easy to ferment your own food at home! So if you’re not in close range to a specialised food store, or you don’t want to pay the extra prices, you can still get all of that goodness into your diet. With some types of food, it’s as simple as placing the food in a jar and then waiting. Sauerkraut is an easy one; cabbage, salt and caraway seeds in an airtight jar for 3-10 days.

There are some great books and internet sources with recipes and methods for fermented foods (or keep an eye out, you might even see some here!). In the meantime, go and get your gut health right with the most probiotic packed food on the market.