Fermented Food, Do or Don’t? 🤔

Hello everyone, hope you have a great start of the week so far! 🤗

Like many of us, I consume those common food such as: yogurt, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, miso... Besides the common side effect of bloating, they have been promoted as a great source of probiotics, reducing inflammation, increasing our immune system, digestive system, heart health, and even weight loss.

However, I have read some literatures that fermented food can do more harm than beneficial to our Heath.

Here’s a summary of potential harms from these sources I included the links:

1. Headaches and migraines

2. Histamine intolerance

3. Food-borne illness

4. Infection from probiotics

5. Antibiotic resistance

I’d love to know what are your thoughts on fermented food? 😊🙏

independent.co.uk/news/scie...

amymyersmd.com/article/ferm...

[Snowdrops_17]

Well I stopped eating yoghurts, I only have semi skimmed milk in my coffee, make my organic porridge with Almond milk, I stick to simple food, salads, vegetables, don't eat beef, but turkey mince, chicken, eggs and fish 🎏, besides that, some fruits like strawberries, blueberries, bananas, apples, pears, kiwis, clementines, now and then 🍍, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes and love my baked potatoes 😁 but now and then I eat beetroot, pickled gherkins, but once per week! I used to eat every day yoghurt and my stomach felt awful! Now it's all settled fairly and I feel great 👌😁Balanced diet, some exercise etc think is better then buying all sorts of fancy stuff!

[Hidden in reply to Snowdrops_17]

Thank you Snowdrops_17 for sharing your thoughts on this. 😊🙏

I do consume lots of yogurt to blend in my smoothies. Like you I love porridge so light and comfort to have. I drink almond milk instead of regular milk. Love that you cut the red meat out of your diet and consume lots of fruits.

Baked potatoes are so good 😋👍 I make beetroot for soup sometimes and I will look up what is pickled gherkins? 🤔

I have migraine and pmdd so I do get headaches and bloating as part of symptoms. I’m trying to see if fermented food can be part of this.

I agree, a balanced diet and regular exercise is the best. Homemade food is definitely great 😁👍

Have a great rest of the day! 😊🙏🌺

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Hidden]

Pickled Gherkins is German 👍 but don't eat them that often now!!!

That's the ones 😁👌

[Hidden in reply to Snowdrops_17]

I see 👍 I know people mistake with cucumber and they look like bitter melons to me. 😁

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Hidden]

Yes you right, very small cucumbers, pickled 👍😁

[Hidden in reply to Snowdrops_17]

I think I will look for it next grocery trip, I have to try it at least once. 😁👍

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Hidden]

I try and eat a balanced diet, but since I cut yoghurts out my stomach feels good! You can have to much of a good thing, which is recommended here and there! Secondly I spend less money on uneccessary stuff! Also buy bread with seeds in which is much better for me, like wholegrain bread! I do love cooked beetroot as well very much 😋

[Hidden in reply to Snowdrops_17]

You know what I think I will cut out my yogurt for a short period and see if it can reduce some of my symptoms. 🤔👍

I don’t have gluten problem so I love my whole grain bread with organic peanut butter and bananas. 😋

How do you cook your beetroot? I always love in soup as it’s so sweet and tasty 😋👍 I only eat fish and vegetables.

Definitely with the way of economy right now, being thrifty and think twice before purchasing anything is a smart way!😁👍

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Hidden]

Yes try that, cut out yoghurts for a few weeks!Beetroot, wash them but leave the skin on and just gentle boil or steam them for 20-30 mins! But depends on size 👌 then cool them and remove skin etc, slice them if you prefer, great with spuds ( potato)

[Hidden in reply to Snowdrops_17]

Thank you, I never tried this way, definitely I will switch it up your style 👍😁🙏

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Hidden]

Love it and thanks for sharing stuff on here! It's great! Enjoy your lemon tree 👌😍🍋

[Hidden in reply to Snowdrops_17]

Thank you Snowdrops_17, I learned so much from you today. 😊🙏 Fit for life as we all try to achieve! 😁👍

[Subtle_badger in reply to Snowdrops_17]

Those gherkins aren't fermented, they are just pickled in vinegar.

Traditionally gherkins (aka pickles or dill pickles) were made by brining cucumbers with spices, and then letting the wild bacteria colonise it over several days, while keeping it at a warm room temperature. It would then be stored in a cool place to stop further fermentation. The acidic flavour comes from lactic acid produced by the bacteria.

But most pickles these days, skip all those steps and just pour vinegar over the vegetables and refrigerate immediately.

It's easy to tell fermented pickles; there only ingredients will be vegetables, salt, water and spices and they will be found in the chilled section of the shop. They are exceedingly rare, though. Waitrose has pickles in the chiller, but if you look at the ingredients, it's not fermented either.

You may find naturally fermented pickles in a health food store or a gourmet store - or make them yourself.

culturesforhealth.com/learn...

[Hidden]

Thank you Beaujolais for your thoughts on this. 😊🙏It has a lot to do with Asian culture that we do make homemade fermented food like kimchi. The article you provided suggested during pregnancy, kombucha should be avoided (there’s alcohol in it) which is true and should purchase kefir, kimchi from the store. 🤔

[Snowdrops_17]

Well when I was pregnant with my first one, I ate pickled gherkins often! Didn't harm me in the slightest! But couldn't stand the smell of Brussel sprouts! With my second child I craved snickers and mars bars yum 😋! With my 3rd child I loved ice cream 😁👌

Then my 4th child I ate pretty normal!

You know what agrees with your body! If it causes problems, cut it out your diet, simple 👌👍

[Snowdrops_17]

Also now and then, cooled water and juice of 1 🍋 kept in fridge on hot days, is refreshing, cleans also your guts and is good for you skin; but use or drink it in moderation! Love hot water with lemon and honey, it's refreshing and soothing at night time! Honey has also antibacterial properties!If I had more money I would totally just eat organic all of the time girl! Grow tomatoes etc and vegetables in a Garden plot, that would keep me busy when I retire 2023 February 👍😁 can't wait and it can't come soon enough 👌🥰❤️

[Hidden in reply to Snowdrops_17]

Congratulations in advance for 2023 when your retirement comes and you get to bring all your hobbies to life 😁👌

For summer time, I like to chill my water with cucumber and mints as it’s so refreshing. I do drink a glass of room temperature water with lemon juice first thing in the morning. (I’m thankful to have a lemon tree in my backyard). I will try hot water with lemon and honey as I can see it has all the good health benefits so thank you for sharing with me 😁🙏

I live in the city so not so much soil area to plant things but someone suggested me to create vertical garden planter so it’s an option too. You see I replace a new shirt/dress for my organic grocery trip and yes they are expensive 😅 but it’s worth it in the long run what we put in our bodies. 😁👍

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely!!!!; 😍 lemon tree, oh nice ! It's difficult in city gardens but raised planters are a good idea for smaller gardens 👍

[Hidden in reply to Snowdrops_17]

I am fortunate that the previous owner did grow this special lemon tree as the skin is very thin and plenty of juice. 😍👌 Yes, def take some effort to gain all the health benefits from organic plants. 😁👍

🍋

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Hidden]

They do look big and juicy 😍😋I definitely need to retire as do kitchen porter work in a restaurant kitchen!

Getting more tired now, plus some health issues to cope with! But the end is near! Will miss it to a point as work it keeps you focused somehow! But I have plenty of ideas and to do some beauty Therapy now and then to earn a little cash!

I just don't get enough time now as forever tired, summer is worse with the heat, but I still love it! Trees green, birds singing and feeding in my Garden, flowers growing shrubs growing, honeysuckle and clematis as well!

Well not sure if I can stay here in this house as the rent is quite a lot £510 unless kids help me financially! I might then move nearer to my daughter if all strings break! All needs planning next year! Problem is, don't like big cities, I am in a small town, got market every Thursday and Saturday! Good bus connection here and train connection from Harrogate to anywhere! I love where I live for 29 years now! It's been my home and would miss it greatly really! Hard when you have to be uprooted again but praying it will work out somehow darling!

Right enough of my moan 😁

Gonna make some dinner now 👌!

God bless, Christiane ❤️

[Hidden in reply to Snowdrops_17]

Aweee I’m so glad you are so in tune and enjoy nature so much. Yes living expenses are so high these days. 😅 Hope you have a good night rest Christians. 👍😇❤️

[Cooper27 Administrator]

I'm not sure if Histamine intolerance is caused by fermented foods, so much as exacerbated by fermented foods, it's a bit chicken and egg really. It's interesting to hear they can result in antibiotic resistance though!

I'm 50:50 on fermented foods, I do like them, but only in certain circumstances, as I can also find the texture a bit off-putting. The bloating is I think due to "die off" (or so I was told), as the good bacteria help to kill off some of the bad bacteria

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Cooper27]

As I say eat what agrees with you, cut out the food or beverages which don't! Simple 👌 Cooper 👌🥰

[Hidden in reply to Cooper27]

Hi Cooper27, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. 😊🙏

Because there is plenty of histamine in fermented food and some people due to genetic mutations, alcohol usage, medications... they are unable to produce diamine oxidase to break down the excess histamine in fermented food.

healthline.com/nutrition/da...

Antibiotics resistance: I can see how in the past, there wasn’t enough rules and regulations in pharmaceutical industry. (Some country didn’t even need prescription for it) People misuse and don’t finish their entire duration of antibiotics prescribed also. There are many factors here needed more research to support this theory.

[Cooper27 Administrator in reply to Hidden]

That's good to know. It sounds like the histamine intolerance is there in the first place, and just gets triggered by the fermented foods

[happytulip in reply to Cooper27]

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome is a relatively newly recognised medical problem. There seems to be more knowledge about it in the US from what I can see. People with this condition have a dyfunction in their mast cells due to certain triggers. Everyone's triggers are different but it has been reported that a low histamine diet can help. Thought I'd mention it as it relates to histamine in diet.

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Cooper27]

HM, interesting, will do more research later!!!!

[Hidden in reply to Cooper27]

Yes, fermented food is the trigger for people with histamine intolerance.

I did further reading that showed Probiotic supplements can cause antibiotics resistance. As long as we make sure the source of fermented food is clean, live, active cultured, non-pasteurized then they can deliver micronutrients and less pathogens, toxics to our bodies comparing to Probiotics supplements.

“Dietary supplements containing such high amounts probiotics represent an excellent condition for the spread of resistant determinants especially when sharing residence with intestinal microflora and opportunistic pathogens in the human gut”, and ”The potential transfer of resistance genes from probiotics to other gut microflora and eventually to opportunistic pathogens that share the same intestinal habitat, may, however, pose serious clinical ramifications.” Link: frontiersin.org/articles/10...

Therefore, I wouldn’t consider probiotic supplements because of antibiotics resistance possibility.

[happytulip]

Don't for me because I can't tolerate fermented foods and need low FODMAP.

But it I could tolerate them I would eat them as it is a good way to improve your gut biome.

[Hb2003]

I love fermented or pickled radish it’s a middle eastern snack and it’s complementary with middle eastern foods . I think that that fermented food is ok with moderation

[Snowdrops_17 in reply to Hb2003]

I agree there! But I remember when I was younger, my mother in law had pickled eggs, onions, red cabbage, beetroot etc, mint sauce and homemade pickles, Piccadilly, with the evening meal! Dinner was at lunch time when we stayed for a few days there like Christmas or Easter, Summer holidays! Think British people have a lot of pickled food really! I can not remember having that much pickled food before I married 1981👍

We drunk coffee, herbal teas in the evening or black tea with lemon in the day! As children we had a juice called Tri Top, like Squash here to mix with water!

Anyway better rest as lots to accomplish tomorrow my friends! Saying good night ❤️

[Hb2003 in reply to Snowdrops_17]

That’s wonderful ☺️❤️ Goodnight Snowdrops sweet dreams ❤️

[Fran182716 Prediabetic]

Honestly, not at all, health benefits or not they taste horrible to me. I eat a lot of 5% Fage Greek yoghurt as it doesn’t have that “tang” which I find nasty otherwise it’s a no.

[Hidden in reply to Fran182716]

Yes, I can see taste plays a factor here as some might find it’s hard to eat. 😅

[Hidden]

Hmmm it depends, do you have fermented pickles or vinegar pickles? 😂

[Hidden]

Acid kills everything, you are fine 😂🤣👌

[ZazenRiver345]

I've been interested in eating more fermented foods to get more probiotics. I was only aware of the benefits and wasnt aware of the potential harms. Thanks for sharing... I always learn something new about healthy eating from reading your posts🙏🤗.

[Hidden in reply to ZazenRiver345]

Hi Zazen, thank you for saying that. 😊🙏

I realized whenever we hear something is good for us, we start being overboard with them without reconsidering if ever any potential harms. Last night I was having some yogurt for snack and I was thinking what if probiotics can be not so good🤷‍♀️

I think if we consume things in moderation with awareness and really listen to our own body responses, we will be able to adjust our diet beneficial to our health.

Have a good rest of the evening! 👍😁

[Callyv]

This is a good question! In the past few weeks I’ve been suffering from dreadful hayfever symptoms but worse were the side effects from the antihistamines. I truly thought this was all a side effect from the covid vaccine! A friend suggested histamine intolerance. She knows I was eating home made yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and sourdough. I immediately cut those foods from my diet, I also cut out my beloved blue cheeses, home made hummus, smoked fish, fridge leftovers and many more items. I also stopped taking the antihistamines. My headaches virtually disappeared as did most of my tummy problems. Yesterday I had typical hayfever, throat, nose, itchy ears but not as bad as before. I have taken antihistamines today and hope I don’t get the horrible dry mouth return.

[Hidden in reply to Callyv]

Hi Callyv, thank you for sharing your experiences with me, I truly appreciate this. 🙏

Yes, there are a lot of things affecting our bodies from our food intake. I am glad you took action to eliminate possible causes of stressors on your body. I am trying to stop having yogurt for a short time to see what happen. I do not consume lots of carbs and I eat mostly vegetables and fresh seafood.

I hope you feel better by the day and have a beautiful rest of the evening! 😊🙏🌺

[Callyv in reply to Hidden]

My worry is that I will undo all the good ive established in my gut by not eating yoghurt etc so I will start eating that again soon, home made with goat milk. I’m still managing to consume at least 30 different plants a week if I include herbs and spices. I wish I lived by the sea because fresh seafood isn’t easy to come by here. Have a lovely day.

[Hidden in reply to Callyv]

Hi Callyv,

Home made yogurt with goat milk sounds wonderful and yummy.

I think if you manage to consume plants, greens and herbs, that would be prebiotic which is also great for your guts health.

By my house, every 2 weeks they open farmer market where people bring their fresh stuffs and sometimes they have wild caught stuffs. I am lucky to get some every now and then.

You have a wonderful day also! 🤗🙏🌺

[AnnieW55]

I eat yoghurt daily and drink kefir as a way to up my calcium intake. Both are home made, the yoghurt is from a commercial pot every few times for the starter. The yoghurt I do buy is plain, full fat, live yoghurt which is not to be compared with the low fat yoghurts containing “fruit” or even fruit as generally they have added sugars/sugar substitutes to replace the fat. So far not noticed any problems, maybe I’m just lucky.

[Hidden in reply to AnnieW55]

Hi AnniW55, thank you for sharing your experiences with me. 🙏

It is very true commercial yogurts are loaded with sugar, and artificial flavors. I love plain yogurt also and maybe I should start making my own yogurt.

I’m glad you haven’t had any problems so far. Have a wonderful rest of the day! 😊🙏🌺