Adding Just One Of These 20 Unusual Foods Into Your Diet Could Be Just What The Doctor Ordered
Kombucha. Tempeh. Kefir. Kimchi. You’ve probably heard a few of these names before. Fermented and pickled foods have become health-conscious individuals’ favorites in recent years. But if you haven’t started noshing on them yourself, you may be wondering, what’s all the fuss about? As it turns out, these foods – jam-packed with healthy bacteria – can do wonders for your body. Here’s what to know – and what to eat to reap these feel-good effects.
When you think of pickles, you think of salty, crunchy sandwich toppers – not fruit. And yet pickling the sweet stuff can make for an interesting flavor profile that’s good for you, too. After all, the bacteria that grows while your food ferments can be a huge boon to your gut health and bulk your immune system.
A tasty and easy place to start is with fermented blueberries, which you can make with the tiny blue fruits and some salt. After they sit somewhere warm for four to five days, they’ll become slightly tangier while retaining their sweet scent. At that point, they make a great addition to soups, or you can use the liquid to make a unique vinaigrette dressing.
Almost every entry on this list stands to improve your gut health – that’s the best news about fermented foods and all the good-for-you bacteria they contain. But apple cider vinegar comes with more than just a probiotic promise. This stuff – a versatile addition to your pantry – has a slew of benefits beyond the standard.
You can drink apple cider vinegar like a tea or mix it into dressings and other recipes. Either way, research has shown that it has anti-microbial, antioxidative and cholesterol-lowering properties. It’s a worthy addition to anyone’s diet who wants to lose weight, as it has obesity-fighting components, as well.
