Today’s weather was simply too gorgeous for staying indoors, so the fam and I ventured out to the Fermentation Festival at Boston Public Market. Sunshine and blue skies were the perfect backdrop for the incredible demos, tons of vendor booths, and, of course, plenty of good-for-your-gut samples of kraut, kimchi, kombucha, and more!
Click to play! – Boston Fermentation Festival at Boston Public Market, August 2017
So what’s the big deal about all of this gut health stuff? And why does what we eat have such an influence on gut health? Well, basically, your gut microbiota is the community of microbes that lives in your intestines, and plays a role in your metabolism and immune function. It also influences aspects of moods and behavior, too.
When this ecosystem of microbes is disturbed (such as through a diet high in refined carbohydrates & processed food; overuse of antibiotics; or chronic stress), there are consequences for our health. It’s critical to keep those gut microbes happy by feeding them! And what do they love to eat? Dietary fiber. If you’re not eating dietary fiber, thenthose gut microbes starve and die, leaving your gut without those healthy microbes. Many plant foods are rich in dietary fiber, and consuming them is a great way to sustain the good microbes in your intestine. In addition, consuming fermented foods such as kraut, kimchi, and kefir help to establish active, healthy microbes in your intestine. Fermented foods have been consumed throughout human history, and are a rich source of healthy microbes that will nourish your gut health.
Want to know more? Check out these great resources:
- short TedEd video, “How the food you eat affects your gut”,
- 10 Ways to Improve Your Gut Bacteria, Based on Science
- how gut bacteria may play a role in how people think and feel
