- By Iram Hussain
- Wed, 26 Mar 2025 05:27 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Nowadays, everyone is talking about probiotics and fermented foods as the secret to better gut health. But in India, these foods have been part of our everyday meals for generations, even before science explained how they help us. Fermentation is a natural process where good bacteria and yeasts break down food, making it easier to digest and adding probiotics. These probiotics help create a healthy gut which is linked to better digestion, stronger immunity, improved mood and even balanced hormones.
In a conversation with Jagran English, Nandini Kumar, Registered Nutritionist, Certified Health Coach, Founder, NourishKind explained how fermented foods and probiotics are secrets to your gut health.
Fermented Foods And Probiotics For Gut Health
Most of us know about popular fermented foods like idli, dosa batter, kanji and chaas. But today, supermarkets are also full of probiotic drinks, yogurt and supplements that promise quick results for gut health. Are they as helpful as they sound? Many of these store-bought products are pasteurised which kills the good bacteria. Others may be full of sugar, artificial flavours or preservatives that can reduce their health benefits. While probiotic supplements may help in certain situations like after taking antibiotics, most healthy people can meet their needs through regular homemade fermented foods.
Traditional Indian foods like curd, kanji, Pakhala Bhaat from Odisha, Ambali from Karnataka and Handia, a rice-based ferment from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are packed with not just probiotics but also fibre, enzymes and important nutrients that supplement don’t provide.
It’s important to remember that gut health is holistic. Probiotics work best alongside a diet rich in fibre from seasonal vegetables, fruits, whole grains and pulses which feed the good bacteria already present in the gut. Supplements or packaged probiotic drinks alone cannot replace a varied balanced diet rooted in traditional eating practices.
So, are fermented foods and probiotics worth the hype? Yes, but it’s about reconnecting with the slow and mindful ways our ancestors ate rather than rushing toward modern convenience.
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