Benefits of Fermented Food for your Mental Health

CLEVELAND – Kimchi, yogurt and sauerkraut are just some of the fermented foods that research has shown could help boost your health.

And not just your physical health, but your mental health too.

“Eating fermented foods is a powerful tool for nurturing your mental health by changing your microbiome,” explained Susan Albers, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic. “It releases beneficial bacteria into our gut that makes a good environment for creating neurotransmitters that help to boost our mood.”

Dr. Albers was not a part of the research, but noted while fermented foods could help improve your mood, ultra-processed foods have been found to do the opposite and can actually increase a person’s risk for depression.

Examples of ultra-processed foods include cereal, ice cream and chips.

Dr. Albers said based on the known health benefits, it’s worth trying to incorporate more fermented foods into your diet.

But, what if you’ve never really had any of them before?

“Fermented foods can be a new and unusual taste for many people,” said Dr. Albers. “Introducing it slowly can have a profound impact on changing your taste buds and adapting to this new taste.”

Fermented foods may not be safe for everyone, like those with a histamine intolerance or certain digestive disorders.

If you have any concerns, it’s best to consult with your physician.