I love fermented foods, despite having a history of GERD. When people hear this, they often ask, “Won’t eating sour foods cause your GERD to flare up?” In reality, I find that fermented foods help manage my GERD. Of course, I don’t mean drinking yogurt when my stomach is upset, but rather incorporating more fermented foods into my regular diet. After all, not all fermented foods are sour. Here are some of my favorites:
Tempeh
Yes, tempeh is a fermented food from Indonesia. Traditionally, tempeh is made with soybeans that are leavened until they coalesce into a solid block. Today, tempeh has gained popularity as a plant-based protein and is now made with a variety of beans.
Terasi (shrimp paste)
Terasi is a seasoning commonly used in Southeast Asia and South China. It’s made by boiling fresh rebon shrimp, which are then pounded, salted, and sun-dried. In addition to containing probiotics, the fermentation process gives terasi its distinctive and intense flavor and aroma. A small amount can transform a simple dish into something extraordinary.
Tauco
It seems that soybeans are an excellent choice for fermentation, wouldn’t you agree? Tauco is another product made from fermented soybeans, but unlike soy sauce, it uses white or yellow soybeans. The texture is not liquid but rather a paste, as it’s made from ground soybeans. These are just a few examples of the many fermented foods found in Indonesia. There’s also tape, gohu, bakasang, oncom, and more.
Although research on the effects of probiotics for GERD sufferers is still limited, I agree with Dr. Tirtawati Wijaya SE on Alodokter.com. She explained that the good bacteria in fermented foods help improve digestion, allowing my stomach to process food more efficiently. As a result, my digestion is smoother, food is broken down faster, and my GERD rarely flares up.
When GERD flares up, it’s important to see a doctor and take the necessary medication to recover. However, we can also be proactive in maintaining our health. One way to do this is by consuming fermented or probiotic foods to maintain digestive health.
Fermented foods benefit everyone, not just those with GERD. Ayo-ma friends can find various fermented food recipes on our website at www.ayo-ma.com.
Let’s take care of our digestive health together!
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