5 Reasons to Use Fermented Foods in Your Cancer Fighting Diet

The process of fermentation is a metabolic one that converts sugar into acids, gases or alcohol. Fermented foods are foods that have been through a process of lacto-fermentation where natural bacteria feed on the sugar in the food creating lactic acid.

Cultures around the world have been eating fermented foods for years, from Sauerkraut in Germany, Kimichi in Korea and beer and wine just about everywhere.

The benefits of fermented foods are noted in many studies pertaining to cancer care and prevention due in great part for their ability to improve intestinal tract health, enhance immunity and to synthesize and  enhance the bioavailability of nutrients.

The beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods have been shown to be effective for suppressing colon cancer and may also inhibit cancers of the breast, liver, small intestine and other organs.

Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid created when microbes ferment dietary fiber in your gut, has been shown to induce programmed cell death of colon cancer cells.  Cultured milk products may reduce your risk of bladder cancer by about 29 percent.

5 Reasons to Use Fermented Foods in Your Cancer Fighting Diet

Probiotics

Fermented foods contain probiotics. Probiotics are important to intake daily as they improve digestion, aid in our immune function and balance our intestinal bacteria.

Enhances Digestion

digestion

Fermenting foods is like partially digesting them before they are consumed.  This means that there will be less work that the body has to do to break them down. Due to this benefit it is interesting to note that many people who are lactose intolerant will be able to tolerate kefir, a fermented milk product.

Enzyme Production

Enzymes break down the food that we eat enabling nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream.  The probiotics in fermented foods produce digestive enzymes that are essential when breaking down our food.  This helps to make the nutrients in food more bioavailable for absorption.

Increases Nutrient Content of Food

Fermenting foods improves the quantity, availability and digestibility of some dietary nutrients. Fermentation of food with lactic acid bacteria increases folic acid in yogurt.  Niacin and riboflavin levels in yogurt are increased with fermentation.
fermented foods

 

Supports our immune function

immunity

It is estimated that approximately 80% of our immune system is in our gut. Fermented foods enable better digestion and healthy gut flora, which in turn supports immune function. Fermented foods are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which help to strengthen immunity.

 

 

Here is a wonderful recipe for Fermented Quinoa Breakfast Bowl:

https://www.cathybiase.com/fermented-quinoa-breakfast-bowl/

References:

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/02/13/fermented-foods-anti-cancer-diet.aspx

https://draxe.com/fermented-foods/

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00578/full

 

 

 

Homemade Sauerkraut

Homemade Sauerkraut

The humble cabbage, a member of the cruciferous family, offers many health benefits. It is high in vitamins A and C and provides a rich source of phytonutrient antioxidants. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties, and in some studies has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer properties. But when you ferment this already nutritious food, you turn it in to a Super food. The fermenting process turns cabbage into what we call Sauerkraut and in this process breaks down the cabbage in to a more digestible form making its nutrients much more bioavailable to us.   Sauerkraut is also loaded with a host of beneficial bacteria aiding in our gut health. Store bought Sauerkraut is often pasteurized and therefore does not provide the beneficial bacteria so important to us. For best results use a fresh cabbage. This should provide you with plenty of fluid and ensure great success to the fermenting process. A little arm work is needed too!

Ingredients:

Homemade Sauerkraut jar•1 large head cabbage (save 2 leaves)
•2 peeled carrots
•1 TBSP Sea Salt

1.Chop cabbage
2.Add carrot
3.Sprinkle with salt

With hands tamp down until fluid is released and covers vegetables.
Put in Mason jar.
Place saved cabbage leaves on top.
Cover tightly.
Leave in jar for about 2 weeks