Before the advent of refrigeration, man used the natural process of fermentation to preserve food. This technique has been used for thousands of years in countries of Asia, Europe, South America, and other smaller nations.
Besides the benefit of food preservation, the process of fermentation creates “friendly” cultures or bacteria. These bacteria are vital for healthy digestion and immune support. These good bacteria help to break down food and increase its nutrient absorption. They provide natural antibiotic and anti-carcinogenic properties, and even break down pesticides. They also encourage the body to manufacture its own Vitamins B and K.
The Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) is woefully deficient in friendly cultures and this lack has been implicated in various maladies including:
- Autism
- Crohn’s Disease
- Diabetes
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Lactose intolerance
Fermenting foods is a rather easy process. Some vegetables that can be “cultured” include cabbage (sauerkraut), green tomatoes, onions, carrots, cucumber, and squash. Generally such vegetables are placed in a large crock with the addition of salt. This mixture is then pounded to release the juices. It is then allowed to rest for several days.
With today’s busy lifestyles, some people may find this impractical. So, some other good ways to receive beneficial bacteria, besides a good quality probiotic supplement, would be to add foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, raw buttermilk, and cultured cream.
PLEASE NOTE: Vinegar-based fermented products do not provide the same benefits.THREE CHEERS FOR: So Delicious™ Cultured Coconut Milk
On top of producing delicious coconut milk ice cream products, So Delicious™ makes wonderful cultured coconut milk that contains both prebiotics, which set the stage for culture proliferation, and probiotics, or “friendly” bacteria. Coconuts also add beneficial medium chain fatty acids that contribute to great immune function and support thyroid health.
For more research, visit http://www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com/
GIVE ME FIVE
Five benefits of sunshine:
- Balances hormones
- Decreases blood sugar levels
- Improves immunity
- Increases neurotransmitters for better mood
- Lowers risk for colon cancer
