So, if you’re looking for foods that could help with constipation, consider putting live yoghurts, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, tempeh, natto, miso, and kombucha on your shopping list.
2 But what makes these foods such a powerful elixir for rebalancing digestive discomfort?
It’s primarily down to their probiotic content. Fermentation not only extends the shelf life of foods, it also adds nutritional value. Yes, fermented foods are packed with live, good bacteria. But it’s important to note the probiotic bacteria must be alive when you eat it. Food processes, such as pasteurisation, smoking, baking and filtering kill live bacteria. This removes soy sauces, most beers and wines, sourdough bread, and chocolate from your list of fermented superfoods unfortunately. It’s also important that yoghurts are ‘live’ or contain ‘active’ ingredients. And you should choose unpasteurised sauerkraut and select fermented pickles rather than ones soaked in vinegar.