The Probiotic Power of Fermented Food

Fermented foods are not only delicious but also contribute to our wellbeing. Jessica Kanerva, Nutritional Expert at Therme RPC explores why including fermented food and drink as part of a balanced diet has huge benefits for health and wellbeing.  

In August 2023, Therme Bucharest hosted the ‘Korean Days @ Therme’ the first of a series of events as part of Therme’s cultural exchange programme with its partners in South Korea. The event showcased South Korean Art, Culture and Gastronomy. Central to the event was the celebration of Korean gastronomy with the exploration of traditional Korean foods, particularly fermented ones such as gochujang and kimchi. 

These foods are central to the Korean culinary experience but fermented foods in various forms, such as kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut, can be found in diets across the globe. Originally used as a means to preserve food and enhance its flavour, in recent years, there has been an increased awareness of the potential health benefits of consuming fermented foods and drinks regularly.

So, what is it about fermented foods and drinks, that give them their potential health benefits?

Fermented foods and drinks have been shown to have a huge range of health benefits including anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-atherosclerotic activity.

The Stanford School of Medicine conducted a study in which participants were randomly assigned to a 10-week diet of fermented foods. The results showed that introducing these foods even across this short time frame led to a significant increase in overall microbial diversity in the gut, with stronger effects from larger servings. 

Research suggests that it is the probiotics that are produced during the fermentation process. These probiotics are naturally occurring bacteria that have a health-protective role. Probiotic strains have been widely researched for their role in maintaining a normal balance of gut microbiota, as well as their protective role against pathogenic bacteria in the gut. 

Moreover, probiotics have been shown to play a beneficial role in maintaining a healthy immune system. Research suggests that probiotic bacteria are commensal, meaning that they have a symbiotic relationship with the gut. Studies have also shown that this commensal gut bacteria can communicate with immune cells. In this way, it helps to support and modulate a functioning immune system, sustaining the balance between immunogenicity and immune tolerance. As a result, the probiotic bacteria support the immune system in distinguishing when to react and protect and when not to.

Foods and drinks which naturally contain commensal bacteria, such as ferments, have an important role in protecting our health and wellbeing and, for most people, should be included as part of a healthy diet. 

Across our resorts, we serve nutritious and sustainably produced food and drink that enhances the benefits of the Therme experience. Our evidence-based approach allows us to provide meals that complement activities and therapies, including integrating fermented foods. On top of this, we take an educational approach to our food and drinks offer. As well as providing delicious options that guests may have never tried before, we aim to teach the importance of a healthy diet and help reconnect guests to nature and the origins of their food, supporting long-term lifestyle change.