Fermented Foods, Probiotics and a Healthy Gut

"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8


This post features studies, videos, recipes, infographics, and links of various types concerning fermented foods, probiotics, the effects of stress and a healthy gut. 

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Childhood Memories

One of the most cherished memories of my childhood was the conversations with my grandmother while I watched her perform the “artwork” of canning. She was raised in Jackson, MS and being one of twelve (and the only girl) she had to make thing work (and make them last). I remember the peppers, the tomatoes, the apples, the cutting, the cooking, the sweet smells, the mason jars, the sealing, and the storing. These were great memories that instilled a hands-on health mentality that I still have today. Yet, this is about more than “canning” and preserving. Lacto-fermented food and drinks are not only preserved but are nutrient-dense, enzyme rich and made alive with probiotic bacteria.

Friendly Bacteria

I remember also when I was young and visiting family in Jackson when I was out playing with my cousins that I fell and skinned my knee. I was told by one of my older relatives to just rub some dirt on it and just keep playing. I remember thinking to myself even at that young age, “Well, how un-hygienic is that!!” Ok, I’m not recommending doing this but I do realize now that they knew by years of experience that there were beneficial germs in the dirt that could be helpful in the recovery. Yet, look at our germaphobic world now with everything from our antibiotics to our anti-bacteria hand soap. It’s hard to consider the validity of “good” bacteria. But this is the great basis of fermentation. It is a process that uses microorganisms to transform food into easily digested, long-lasting, probiotic rich foods. Now, more and more, research is showing that good bacteria in your diet is important for intestinal health which in turn means a healthy immune system as 70% (and some studies say possibly up to 80%) of our immune system resides in the intestines. Like it or not, our health is connected and assisted by the bacterial world.

Are These Foods Safe?

Throughout this month you will be hearing names like Tempeh, Miso, Kimchi, Kombucha, Kvass, Gari, Merissa, Kraut and many other types of fermented foods that represent almost every culture worldwide as far back as recorded history. This is not a new thing. Having said that let’s be honest, there will always be some hazards from bacterial and mold toxins but this is more than just decayed food. C.W. Hesseltine referred to them as “controlled spoilage of the substrate”. This is not some off-the-cuff stuff but a multi-cultural science and even in preparations where there has been a compromise by bad bacteria how great is it that the good bacteria over comes them the same way it happens in the intestines. As for recipes that happened to yield a “bad batch”, from what I am told, you will know it immediately by smell and observation. 

I admit that I am not the expert here. I have read, studied, prayed and listened for a few years now concerning these foods but only a little over a year in actual implementation. I’ve seen and felt these benefits in many areas. My goal here and throughout this month of studies, videos, links, recipes, infographics, and biblical insights is to share information that will help people to consider the following:

1) To come back to our natural intuition of good bacteria

2) To incorporate more fermented foods and probiotic supplements

3) To attempt to make their own fermented foods through basic, solid recipes

4) To more fully understand that even if your diet and exercise levels are considered “healthy”, that stress can undo the health of your whole body… starting with the gut and gut related illnesses and allergic reactions.

Yet, overall, it’s not about the food or the stress. It’s the understanding that mankind in all of his greatness and knowledge is not alone in his destiny. His destiny will reside in his relationship with “unseen” things. Prayerfully, this “picture” will lead us to consider even more about “unseen” things.


"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2) For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."  Hebrews 11:1-3


Be in health!


Various Links  



Fermented Food Recipes (and recipes to add the power of probiotics) - (30+ entries)

Various Fermented Foods, Probiotics and Stress Related Links and Infographics - (30+ entries)

Fermentation and Getting Healthy Bacteria Into Your System Video with John Bergman

For Thy Stomach’s Sake: Fermentation, a Healthy Gut, and the Scriptures

The Worldwide "Culture" of Fermented Foods

Good Probiotic Foods and Supplements that You Can Buy

Digestive Enzymes, Signals and Life

Digestion, Bromelain, and the Big Meal