What are Fermented Foods?
So, before going to the benefits, let us first talk about fermented foods. Fermentation is the natural method nature uses to preserve food but with a little twist of a more nutritious manner. When a food ferments, the good bacteria or yeast in that food break down its sugars and starches. The process not only extends the shelf life of food but also produces beneficial compounds that aid the human body—especially in cancer treatments.
Some of the common fermented foods include yogurt, kefir-a type of fermented milk drink, sauerkraut or fermented cabbage, kimchi of Korean fermented vegetables, kombucha of fermented tea, and miso of fermented soybean paste. These are foods that man has been taking for thousands of years, but science is finally showing us why they are great for us, especially for cancer treatment patients.
Fermented foods are crucial in the treatment protocol for cancer.
Cancer treatment damages our bodies, especially our digestive tract and immunity. That’s where fermented food comes in as a healthy ally. Some beneficial bacteria in that gut get shaken up with chemotherapy or radiation. Fermented food is helpful as it restores such balance because it contains living beneficial bacteria called probiotics.
They are like reinforcements for your body’s natural defense system. They bring in good bacteria that fight off bad ones, making it much harder for infections to take hold. This is really important because cancer treatments often weaken the immune system, and patients can get relatively easily infected.
How do fermented foods help with digestion during cancer treatment?
One of the significant issues that a cancer patient faces may be digestion issues. Some of the side effects experienced due to cancer treatment include vomiting, gastrointestinal upsets, and the further development of constipation. In this case, fermented products are helpful in the following ways.
First, they are easier for the body to absorb since some of the more complex parts of the food have also been fermented. The food has proven to have been partially broken down for you to consume and digest it.
This may enhance some beneficial gut with good bacteria in the fermented foods. However, this can break down your food, absorb nutrients, and keep your digestive system moving slower. Many cancer patients believe that small doses of such fermented food supplements can help reduce this form of discomfort and digestive complications.
Do fermented foods help against inflammation?
Something exciting about fermented foods is that they combat inflammation in the body. Inflammation can be considered like a fire within your body; it may worsen the fight against cancer treatment and slow the recovery process. Some research found that these foods contain unique compounds that can cool down the fire of inflammation in the body.
For instance, the compounds in cabbage that are fermented to make sauerkraut have been proven to suppress inflammation. Other fermented vegetables, such as kimchi, share this same characteristic. This anti-inflammatory action makes them particularly important for cancer patients because inflammation worsens side effects and may interfere with treatment.
Which of these fermented foods is suitable for cancer patients?
Not all foods that undergo fermentation are composable to the same food group. Some will be more tolerable than others for patients diagnosed with cancer. Here is the list of those that are best tolerated:
- Plain yogurt (without sugar)
- Gentle kefir
- Cooked until soft in a soup and liquid miso
- Small amounts of sauerkraut liquid
When your body can tolerate more significant amounts
- Kimchi
- Kombucha
- Whole servings of sauerkraut
- Pickles that are fermented
- Tempeh
Begin with small amounts of these mild options and gradually increase as your body adjusts. Always check with your healthcare team before thinking about a new diet.
How do cancer patients begin introducing fermented foods?
Start slow, especially if you are under cancer treatment. Take a teaspoon of fermented food with one meal and see how your body reacts before gradually increasing the amount. It’s like testing the water before jumping into it—you want to know that your body is comfortable with these new foods.
Many people begin with small amounts of yogurt or miso soup, which are generally gentle on the stomach and probably familiar to almost everyone. After a couple of days, when you tolerate these well, you can introduce more or try other fermented foods.
When should cancer patients be careful with fermented foods?
While fermented foods are mostly good, a situation still demands more excellent care in an oncology patient. For instance, when the count of white blood cells falls significantly, and even your doctor forbids taking such fermented food products temporarily, it might take longer to strengthen their system against these good bacteria.
Moreover, when acute diarrhea and other gastrointestinal conditions occur, wait until the symptoms subside before starting the fermented food. Certain cancer patients are sensitive to histamines, which are contained in fermented foods. You need to stop taking it if you experience abnormal reactions, such as headaches or worsening of your gastrointestinal conditions; take the liberty to seek your care provider.
How does it aid in strengthening immunity?
Each of the fermented foods is associated with immunity in some way. For example, 70% of our immune system is in our stomach, and fermented food maintains it strong. The good bacteria resulting from the fermentation of this food will help sensitize the immune cells and help distinguish ”bad guys” to be fought more vigorously.
They also produce something in our gut known as short-chain fatty acids. These compounds reduce inflammation and increase the function of our immune system. This is crucial during cancer treatment since the immune system needs all it can get to function correctly.
Improvement in Nutrient Absorption:
Another advantage that probably not many people know about fermented foods is their ability to enhance the body’s nutrient intake capability. Cancer patients often receive inadequate amounts of nutrients from foods, sometimes caused by the disease and treatment. Fermented foods can help in two ways.
The fermentation process makes some nutrients more accessible to our bodies, but apart from that, we do not really gain a lot from them. For example, if soybeans are preserved through fermentation, compounds of iron and zinc will become available. The bacteria in our guts make it work much better, so we’ll get more out of every bite we take.
Preparation of Fermented Foods:
Caregivers can prepare safe fermented foods using the following.
Preparing fermented foods is easy; however, most people buy these in stores. However, when creating these foods for a patient with cancer, you should ensure the utmost care regarding the cleanliness and freshness of the equipment and ingredients used. It is recommended beginning with foods like yogurt or sauerkraut. Avoid food of a different color, has a strange smell, or is covered with mold.
Industry-made fermented foods are safer to consume during cancer treatment than homemade foods since they are prepared in a clean environment. Specifically, choose a product labeled with “live cultures” or, even better, “probiotics.” Store and check the expiry date.
Conclusion:
Fermented foods have immense benefits for cancer patients, from aiding digestion and boosting immunity to helping in myriad other ways. These powerful foods can be included in the diet safely by initiating a slow incorporation of the right kind of foods. Remember that every individual’s case is unique, hence working with one’s healthcare team to make appropriate decisions.
REFERENCES:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464620305053
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9174999/
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9351-foods-fight-cancer
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4127615/
https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/20230134939
https://www.moffitt.org/endeavor/archive/10-cancer-fighting-foods-you-should-be-eating/