Realign your gut microbiome with these fermented foods packed with probiotic nutrients
In 2021, the catchphrase “My tummy hurts but I'm being so brave about it” spread like wildfire on Twitter. Clearly, it struck a chord—an upset stomach, combined with bloating, gas, diarrhoea or constipation, is a common sign that your gut is screaming for good bacteria to rebalance your gut microbiome.
If you’re looking to change up your diet to improve your gut health, look no further than fermented foods, which are probiotic and will work wonders for your gut health. With many on the market that’s unprocessed and free of added sugars or preservatives, here are some of the best fermented foods for you to soothe your upset stomach and improve your gut health.
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1. Kimchi
Besides being the number one Korean staple side dish, kimchi has a reputation for being one of the healthiest fermented foods. The most common type of kimchi is cabbage kimchi, which is preserved with salt, ginger, garlic, onions, chilli powder, and other seasonings. While it’s fermenting, lactic acid bacteria produces lactic acid, which is responsible for kimchi’s characteristic sour and acidic flavour. It’s this probiotic bacteria that will increase the amount of good bacteria in your gut, stabilising your digestion and immune system—not to mention its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Not a fan of spice? Opt for dongchimi instead, a radish water kimchi that doesn’t use chilli powder.