Heart Health

Fermented foods: Favorable for heart health?

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So far, the evidence that foods and drinks rich in good bacteria can improve cardiovascular health is promising but limited.

A number of foods — yogurt, sauerkraut, as well as some less-familiar ones such as kimchi and tempeh — are made by fermentation, an age-old tradition for preserving food. These foods, as well as the fermented drinks kombucha and kefir, have been getting buzz in recent years, mostly focused on their potential to enhance gut health. Fermented products contain naturally occurring beneficial bacteria known as probiotics, which are thought to improve digestion.

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