By: Mikaela Hew
Candidate, Masters of Science in Nutrition/DPD 2012
Bastyr University
When was the last time you held a microscope up to your sauerkraut? I know… me too. There is a diverse population of living microorganisms to witness during that scientific adventure. Of those, is the presence of lactic acid forming bacteria, popularly known as probiotics. Eew or Mmm?
In food products, the probiotics found are primarily species of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, or Streptococcus thermophilus. Branching off these groups are different species and within each species, different strains. In consuming raw, unpasteurized cabbage sauerkrauts we enjoy microorganisms of predominately the Lactobacillus group which are lactic acid forming organisms. Fresh cabbage is naturally prepopulated with these microorganisms and during the fermentation process sugars in the vegetables provide a source of energy for these organisms (sans oxygen). By feeding on the sugars, the bacteria produce primarily carbon dioxide and other organic acids. As a result, the environment in the digestive tract is better equipped to preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and yeasts. In a sense, they are producing a natural protection against inflammatory reactions in the digestive tract, and aiding in digestion by crowding out the “bad guys.” Powerful little buggers!
As The World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization would put it, these probiotics are “live organisms which confer a health benefit on the host.” Now that seems like enough to make the digestive tract say Mmm!
Sources:
1. Probiotics. Natural Standard. http://www.naturalstandard.com/databases/herbssupplements/probiotics.asp. Accessed January 23, 2012.
2. Fermented Fruits and Vegetables, A Global Perspective: Chapter 5. FAO Corporate Document Repository, Agriculture and Consumer Protection. http://www.fao.org/docrep/x0560e/x0560e10.htm. Accessed January 24, 2012.
3. Saulnier DM, Kolida S, Gibson GR. Microbiology of the human intestinal tract and approaches for its dietary modulation. Curr Pharm Des. 2009;15(13):1403-14.
*Tidbits are written to provide the Firefly Kitchens community with nutrition education. They are scientifically researched, cited, and offer the professional opinion of nutrition students.