Your gut health plays a crucial role in more than just your digestive system and your ability to lose weight. In fact, the health of your gut microbiome is vital to the health of your brain. This connection is known as the gut-brain axis. As it turns out, your gut and brain influence each other through various pathways, including the production of neurotransmitters that impact mood, memory, and cognition.
Nutrition experts Lisa Richards and Trista Best both emphasize the role of fermented foods—like kimchi and yogurt—in enhancing mental health by supporting this gut-brain connection. According to Richards, “The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in producing neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA, key regulators of mood.” When you prioritize a balanced and diverse gut microbiota, fermented foods could potentially alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Best explains that fermented foods like kimchi offer a wealth of probiotics, antioxidants, and essential nutrients that support brain health. Beyond probiotics, fermented foods are packed with anti-inflammatory compounds and vitamins that may protect the brain from oxidative stress, which is one major factor in cognitive decline. Learn more about the specific benefits of kimchi and yogurt below.
1. Kimchi
Kimchi is a delicious Korean staple made of fermented cabbage and other vegetables—and it's also great for your brain. "Kimchi is beneficial for brain health due to its rich content of probiotics, antioxidants, and essential nutrients," Best tells us.
"The fermentation process produces beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, which support gut health by promoting a healthy balance of the gut microbiome," she goes on. This balance is crucial for the gut-brain axis. Plus, kimchi’s high levels of vitamins A, C, and K, along with anti-inflammatory compounds, can help protect the brain from oxidative stress.
And to top it all off, kimchi has the added benefit of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the spicy flavor. This compound has been linked to enhanced memory and overall brain function. Perfect!
2. Yogurt
Yogurt is packed with health benefits, including the fact that it's loaded with probiotics that your gut and your brain love. This tasty food can help with the production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), both of which aid in keeping anxiety and depression symptoms to a minimum.
Thanks to the fact that it promotes a healthy gut environment, yogurt can also enhance your immune response and reduce inflammation, further bolstering brain health. And on top of all of this, it offers up a healthy helping of protein and calcium to offer lasting energy and cognitive function throughout the day. All in all, this versatile dairy product is an ideal choice to boost mental clarity and focus naturally. Sign us up!
READ MORE: The Brain-Healthy Habits Health And Food Experts Swear By For A Sharper Mind And Better Sleep
