Over the last two decades, we have discovered the importance and complexity of gut health and the impact it can have on our overall health.

Studies have discovered links between gut health and skin health, the immune system, mood, mental health, autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, and cancer. 

  

Trillions of microbes exist inside your intestines and on your skin and are essential for a healthy gut.

Much like with our physical and mental health, there is constant and sometimes conflicting information on what we should be doing, and what we shouldn’t be doing.

Thankfully for us, eating fermented foods has been around for thousands of years and is a proven and yummy way to heal and maintain a healthy gut microbiome. 

  

What are ferments?

Fermenting is essentially preserving food, to ensure food is used from top to tail and nothing is wasted, and of course that there is a stockpile at the ready.


The process of fermenting food varies in degrees of complexity, however, all you really need is the vegetables of choice, sea salt and water, and from this, a health powerhouse is born. 

Benefits of ferments

By fermenting foods, the growth of harmful bacteria is inhibited and the vitamin and enzyme level of the food is actually increased, as is digestibility.

Fermented foods also:

  • Increases anti-carcinogenic properties
  • Assist in the breaking down of proteins
  • Drive out pathogenic bacteria, fungi, viruses

So let’s get fermenting!

  

Five ferments to aid gut health

Kimchi

A traditional Korean side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables (most often napa cabbage and Korean radish).

Gut-healing immune-boosting Kimchi recipe here.

Labneh

A Middle Eastern style cheese made from yogurt. 

Discover how to make labneh here.

Saurkaut

A finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria. 

Beetroot and red cabbage sauerkraut recipe here.

Golden Turmeric Soda

A wild ferment, made using a turmeric bug. 

Discover how to make a Golden Turmeric Soda here.

Milk Kefir

A fermented milk drink similar to a thin yogurt that is made from kefir grains, a specific type of mesophilic symbiotic culture.

Discover how to make milk kefir here.

Enjoying the ritual of preserving foods and reaping the benefits of improved gut, skin, mental and overall health is reason enough to dive deeply into the world of fermented foods. This, coupled with an enriched diet, plenty of water, and an organic skincare regime - is the ultimate combination for vibrant, glowing skin.

It doesn’t sound very glamorous, but the gut is where the seeds for health and beauty are planted,” says Carla Oates, Founder and CEO of The Beauty Chef. “Clear, glowing skin occurs when you feed your body nutrient-dense food and cultivate a healthy gut microbiome.” 

July 16, 2020