Fermented Products, Fermentation And Biotechnology
Since we strive to eat and live healthier, we should know about the fermentation process and the benefits of fermented foods. Let me explain.
There are a lot of weird food supplements out there, and there are a lot of strange dietary plans.
People are going to further and further lengths to try and improve their diets, and the sheer number of out-of-this-world plans I see being recommended on social media is astounding.
However, in my opinion, it’s usually worth sticking to simple methods. A healthy balanced diet is always the best option, and it’s all about making sure your food is prepared safely and corrected.
That’s why more and more products are going through the fermentation process nowadays, and with this, the standard of food is skyrocketing.
And a lot more people are looking for products that are fermented. But what does this actually mean? And what services are out there to do the research on this process? Read on to find out.
What Really Is Fermentation?
Chances are you’ve heard of it before but don’t actually know what it means, so let me explain.
To put it into simple terms, it’s more or less the process by which carbohydrates are broken down and converted into organic acids or alcohol.
This is done through tweaking and using microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. When performed correctly, this process can be very useful.
There are two main types of fermentation:
1. Alcoholic Fermentation
This is where the carbohydrate pyruvate is broken down and converted into carbon dioxide. As we mentioned, this is done by using microorganisms, and in this case, it’s either bacteria or yeast that is used.
2. Lactic Acid Fermentation
The other type is known as lactic acid fermentation, and we’ll give you three guesses as to what the end product is here. More or less, this method breaks down lactose and converts it to lactic acid.
Biotechnology And Research
So who actually does the research into all of this? There are a lot of biotech resources companies out there, and each of them has different motives behind their research.
And there are a lot of different types of research which goes into this topic, so you can rest assured that all the work being done is top-notch.
Fermentation Benefits
But why is fermentation actually so popular and useful? Well, there are a few different benefits we’ll discuss here.
1. Fermented Foods Are Easy To Digest
One of these is the fact that it can help us digest our food a bit easier. We all know the pain of a sore stomach and I’ve lost count of the number of nights I’ve lost sleep due to indigestion.
None of us want to go through it, and that’s why food products which have gone through fermentation are so useful.
Food is broken down in our stomachs a lot easier and we won’t have to worry about any cramps after meals.
2. Longer Shelf Life
Fermentation also gives food and drink products longer shelf life. It’s a real hassle when our food products go out of data (this is usually because we forget about them, which I know I’m guilty of).
Products such as bread are particularly beneficial of fermentation, as it stays healthy for longer and also tastes better. It’s a win-win situation.
3. Boost Immune System
Fermented products have a high content of probiotics that help your body to fight infections such as a common cold. They also help you recover faster when you’re sick.
In addition to their high-probiotic content, fermented foods are also high in nutrients such as zinc, iron, and Vitamin C, which help to strengthen the immune system.
4. Improves Digestive Health
The probiotics found in abundance in fermented foods help alleviate digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). That’s because they somehow manage to restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut.
What’s more, fermented products may also help you reduce the severity of other digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
Now, fermentation brings much more benefits than easy digestion, longer shelf life, and better immune and digestive systems.
Studies have shown that fermented foods can help you burn belly fat and lose weight. They also help reduce anxiety, depression, and the risks of heart disease.
For these many reasons, fermentation is a necessary process in food preparation. And adding fermented foods to your diet may change your life for the better.