What If I told you that you can convert regular everyday vegetables into superfood? This means that you don’t have to spend a fortune on any given year’s acclaimed superfood such as the acai berry (which not everybody can afford). But you definitely can buy carrots, cabbage, beets, cucumbers, etc. Even regular everyday veggies can do the magic. This magical process is called fermentation. It’s pretty easy to do and unbelievably healthy for you. (how to ferment – here)Just half a cup of fermented vegetables 2 to 3 times a day can drastically improve your health by fully optimizing your gut flora. The fermentation process also neutralizes phytic and oxalic acid. In the process of fermentation carbohydrates are converted into organic acid or alcohol and carbon dioxide. Scientific studies have confirmed that the consumption of foods rich in digestive enzymes is good for overall health.
How To Turn Common Vegetables Into A Superfood
Eat Fermented Vegetables
Fermented food products contain the ideal amount of vitamin A and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Living lactobacteria helps to protect the body from viruses, harmful micro-organisms, pathogenic bacteria, yeast and parasites. Fermented food is an excellent source of useful bacteria, such as probiotics and enzymes. Fermented foods are also rich in vitamins, in some cases, the content of them is even higher than in the fresh vegetables. For example, the content of vitamin C in acidic cabbage exceeds the content in fresh cabbage. Lacto-fermentation neutralizes the effect of compounds that inhibit the absorption of minerals.
Health Benefits of Fermented Foods
Studies show that people who eat fermented food absorb iron better even in comparison with those who eat a lot of raw vegetables. The by-products of fermentation help our body break down fat, lower blood pressure, regulate the composition of blood, serve as neuro-transmitters, regulates the functioning of the nervous system and also reduces pressure on the heart. Some of the bacteria that appears as a result of fermentation acts as a natural antibiotic, improving the synthesis of useful vitamins and substances while slowing down the synthesis of pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics help to develop beneficial bacteria that strengthen the immune system while maintaining the overall health of the digestive system and of the whole body.
Eat Your Vegetables with Fat
Did you know that you are missing out on all the nutritional benefits that vegetables offer if you don’t eat them with fat? The reason for this is that a lot of the nutrients in vegetables are fat-soluble. This means that you can only absorb them by eating fat. “If you want to utilize more from your fruits and vegetables, you have to pair them correctly with fat-based dressings,” said Mario Ferruzzi, the study’s lead author and a Purdue associate professor of food science.
Healthy fats to add include coconut oil, grass fed butter, bacon, avocado and extra virgin olive oil. It doesn’t take much fat, by the way, to aid the absorption of these important vitamins and nutrients. Adding fat will help transport the nutrients from the vegetables and aid in their absorption. So, if you are on a low fat diet, you might be missing some wonderful nutrients. What good does eating a lot of vegetables do if they are not properly absorbed by your body?
A recent study of over 1,700 Swedish men indicates that consumption of fruits and vegetables was associated with a decreased risk of heart disease, but only when combined with full-fat dairy consumption. The bottom line, eat your veggies the way most of them have traditionally been prepared… with fat.
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There are very few healthy things that I don’t like, but fermented foods are just about the only one (hate sauerkraut). I am happy to see that eating vegetables with healthy fat is another healthy alternative and I do use all of those recommended fats: bacon, ghee, coconut oil, avocado, olive oil (unheated, of course).
What kinds of superfoods do you recommend for daily use? Thanks.
Hi Josh! Virtually all real whole food such as healthy fats (coconut oi, grass fed butter, ghee), grass fed meat, organic fruits and vegetables. Organic chicken liver is the best source of essential vitamins that your body can’t produce on it’s own.