Healthy Mama Magazine Issue 2 - August 2014 | Page 29

ss
W hat’s all the fug?
about fermentin
onist

How do we build these
beneficial bacteria?

iti
By AJ, The Noble Nutr

Why is it good for you?
Your body contains bacteria, yeast,
fungi and viruses. In fact, there are
at least one hundred times more of
these critters than you have cells;
we are a symbiotic community of
organisms. If there is an imbalance
of these microbes, disease is likely,
but kept in balance, they help to
efficiently heal the body.

The process of lacto-fermentation happens when
natural bacteria feed on sugar and starch creating
lactic acid which preserves the food’s nutrients. This
process produces various probiotics as well as beneficial
enzymes, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and introduces
beneficial bacteria into the digestive system. This will help
improve bowel health, slow some disease, aid digestion and
improve immunity. Proper balance of bacteria and enough digestive enzymes in the gut allows for efficient absorption of nutrients from
food negating the need for supplements and synthetic vitamins - the body will
be able to take all it needs from traditional, nutrient rich foods.

What types of
fermented foods
and drinks are there?

Fermented beverages include kombucha, coconut and milk kefir, kvass
and traditional ginger beer. Fermented foods include sauerkraut, raw
dairy such as yoghurt, cheese and milk, creme fraiche, fermented pickles, lacto-fermented salsa and chutneys, lacto-fermented vegetables,
kimchi and fermented soy such as miso and tempeh.

Fermented foods and beverages can
be easily prepared at home and are
extremely cost effective. Alternatively,
these products are also available in
health food stores and farmers markets.
For a simple introduction to the benefits
of lacto-fermentation try this easy
sauerkraut recipe.

Kombucha is a fermented tea-based
beverage. It requires just four ingredients
(tea, water, sugar and a SCOBY). SCOBY
is the acronym for ‘symbiotic culture of
bacteria and yeast’ and it looks much like
a slimy pancake. The SCOBY metabolises
the sugar and tea resulting in a beverage
consisting of billions of probiotics. This is
a favorite in my household, we call it the
‘healthy fizzy drink’ because it tastes just
like a soda, only it's good for you.
It's simple to prepare
and children will have
fun watching their
SCOBY grow and
experimenting with
different flavors.

You can learn
how to make
your own
SCOBY and
kombucha here.

see next page for
recipe
MAG

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