The Power of Fermented Foods

If you want to steer clear of colds, flu, and Covid-19, fermented foods are your friends. They hold the key to a diverse gut microbiome, which enables your immune system to mount its best defense against pathogens.

- VERA TWEED

“Seventy percent of our immune system is located along the gut lining,” says Vincent Pedre, MD, author of Happy Gut. “The gut is the area where the immune system is programmed.”

This gut-immune relationship was shown by a study of 100 Covid-19 patients. Researchers found that people with lower levels of certain gut bacteria had a more severe illness, higher inflammation, and more tissue damage.

Balanced Immunity

“Your immune response is all about balance,” says Pedre. It turns up the inflammation level while fighting a pathogen and then turns it down once the invader is defeated—if it’s working properly. When the inflammatory response continues for too long, it damages tissues, prolongs symptoms, and may cause chronic health conditions.