Delicious Fermented Foods That Boost Gut Health Instantly

Lisette Marie

27. Skyr: Iceland's Protein-Packed Cultured Dairy

Skyr white yogurt appetizer dish fresh delicious gourmet food background on table. Photo Credit: Envato @alesaberlezova

Technically a strained cheese but consumed like yogurt, traditional Icelandic Skyr is renowned for its incredibly thick, creamy texture and high protein content. Made using specific bacterial cultures (like Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus) and skim milk, it offers probiotic benefits similar to yogurt but often with less tang and more protein per serving, promoting satiety and muscle health. Choose plain varieties to avoid added sugars and enjoy this unique Nordic contribution to the world of gut-friendly fermented dairy.

28. Poi: Hawaii's Ancient Fermented Staple

A medium-sized bowl of poi with a spoon to show consistency. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @Bshams

A traditional Polynesian staple food, poi is made by cooking and mashing taro root, then allowing it to ferment naturally with water for several days. This fermentation process develops a unique tangy flavor (ranging from mild to sharp depending on fermentation time) and cultivates beneficial bacteria, primarily lactic acid bacteria. Poi is known for being easily digestible, hypoallergenic, and rich in probiotics and prebiotics, making it a historically important and gut-supportive food in Hawaiian culture.

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27. Skyr: Iceland's Protein-Packed Cultured Dairy

28. Poi: Hawaii's Ancient Fermented Staple

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