13 Feb Fermented Foods
What thoughts do the words “fermented foods” spur in your mind? Personally, I cringe sourly before I think much of anything beyond yogurt (which can still be pretty sour to me). Well, actually I only used to cringe before I learned that fermented foods have significant benefits on gut health and immune health, even if I am feeling generally healthy. Today we’re sharing about fermented foods, such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, etc.
Harvard Health shares,
“Fermented foods are preserved using an age-old process that not only boosts the food’s shelf life and nutritional value but can give your body a dose of healthful probiotics — live micro-organisms crucial to good digestion.”
And that’s not all. I’ve also learned something that has made me intentional about incorporating these foods into my toddler’s diet – but since I have to lead by example, we’ve been dining on these foods together.
“If people eat probiotics (like those found in fermented foods) from early childhood, that can help train the immune system to tolerate — and cooperate with — a diverse, beneficial microbiome, says Dr. Ludwig. After the first few months and years of life, a person’s microbe population is relatively stable, but adults who eat fermented foods regularly can still reap benefits.”
For more great information about fermented foods and their health benefits, read “5 Reasons to Add More Fermented Foods to Your Diet” by the Cleveland Clinic here. It’s a short and informative read that explains health benefits and also shares a list of fermented foods to try. Check out how to incorporate fermented foods in this week’s recipes.
This week’s workout/exercise spotlight: Eccentric Exercises
Yes, you might feel unconventional or slightly strange when performing an exercise with the goal of focusing on the eccentric movement, but for good reason. An article on Self.com shares:
“First, muscle fibers perform three different types of actions: concentric, eccentric, and isometric. A concentric muscle action is a contraction or shortening, which is what’s happening in your glutes when you go from a squat to standing. An isometric action involves your muscles working in a super-still position, like your glutes when you’re trying to hang out in a wall sit for 30 seconds. An eccentric movement is the lowering part of a move. It’s when your muscle works as it’s lengthened, like those glutes do when you’re lowering into a squat, or like your biceps do as you’re lowering a dumbbell after a curl. And, in turns out, every muscle fiber in your body is the strongest as it moves eccentrically.”
They also share 5 benefits of focusing on eccentric movements during your workouts:
- Faster muscle gains
- Greater metabolic boosts
- More flexibility
- Lower risk of injury
- Better sports performance
Read the full article here to learn more.
Victoria Emmitt RD
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