Fun with Fermented Foods

Who knows what you're getting when you buy probiotics? They may not even be alive by the time you buy them. They also have to survive the journey down to the large intestines. Altogether, these points suggest that the advantages of prebiotics found in plant foods outweigh those of probiotics.

Babies delivered via cesarean section appear to be at increased risk for various allergic diseases. The thought is that vaginal delivery leads to the first colonization of the gut with maternal vaginal bacteria, while C-section babies are deprived of this natural exposure and exhibit a different gut flora.

Now, we have randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies showing that those taking probiotics may have significantly fewer colds, fewer sick days, and fewer symptoms.

This is consistent with what we know, in general, about foods and the prevention and management of prostate cancer. Tomatoes, broccoli family vegetables, and soy foods decrease risk; no clear benefit from fish; and an increased risk from meat and dairy.

When you make sauerkraut at home, you don't have to add any kind of starter bacteria to get it to ferment because the lactic acid-producing bacteria are already present on the cabbage leaves themselves out in the field.