Foreign foods have always fascinated foodies, providing a unique taste and opportunity to try different cultural cuisines. But have you ever thought about the health benefits of foreign foods? As a dietitian, I’ve explored the health benefits of some of the top foreign foods shown to improve gut health, reduce stress, and boost energy levels.
Let’s start with one of my favorite foreign foods, kimchi. Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made from fermented cabbage rich in probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, vital in supporting immune function, regulating digestion, and reducing inflammation. Kimchi also contains garlic, ginger, and chili pepper, which have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Another popular foreign food is miso soup, a Japanese cuisine staple. Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans, which provides beneficial gut bacteria and promotes healthy digestion. Miso contains choline, a nutrient that maintains liver health and supports brain function. It’s also a great protein and essential amino acid source, making it a perfect addition to a plant-based diet.
Turmeric, a bright yellow spice, is often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that helps reduce inflammation and joint pain, supports brain health, and boosts the immune system. Turmeric can be added to soups, stews, and smoothies or even made into tea to receive its many benefits.
Kefir, a fermented dairy product standard in Eastern Europe, is packed with probiotics, vitamins, and minerals. Studies have shown that kefir can improve digestion, boost the immune system, and support weight loss. Kefir also contains high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid that aids in producing serotonin, a natural mood stabilizer.
Finally, we can’t forget about the many health benefits of fish. Fish, often eaten in many Asian countries, contains omega-3 fatty acids essential for brain health and reducing inflammation. Salmon contains vitamin D, which is excellent for bone health, and sardines are a rich source of calcium essential for healthy teeth and bones. Fish is also an excellent protein source, making it a healthy addition to any diet.
These foreign foods are all nutrient-dense and provide many health benefits. Incorporating these foods into your diet can improve gut health, reduce stress, and boost energy levels. Moreover, it’s an excellent opportunity to try various delicious foreign cuisines and explore many cultural tastes.
However, it’s essential to note that while foreign foods may provide various health benefits, it’s still vital to listen to your body and understand certain foods’ impact on you. Everyone’s body is unique, and what might work for one person might not work for another. As a dietitian, I encourage you to experiment with foreign foods, develop a relationship with your body, and find what works for you.
In conclusion, foreign foods offer unique cultural experiences and nutritional value to our diets. Investing in nutrient-dense foreign foods can help improve gut health, reduce stress, and increase energy levels. As a dietitian, I encourage everyone to explore various foreign foods and add them to their diet to reap the benefits of these flavorful and nutritious options.
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Summary of Transcript:
In this YouTube video, a dietitian talks about her struggles with various health conditions and her journey to becoming a dietitian. She emphasizes the importance of nutrition for overall health and the role of the gut microbiome in affecting mood and well-being. She recommends incorporating green leafy vegetables and antioxidants into the diet to improve gut health and reduce stress. She also stresses the importance of individualized nutrition plans and bio-individuality.
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Summary of Description:
Ella Davar discusses the emerging scientific evidence about gut microflora and its connection to our brains. She explains the brain-gut axis as a form of communication between the central nervous system and the gut and the essential role of gut microbiome and microbes in influencing emotions such as anxiety, mood, pain, and cognition. Ella provides 6 top food recommendations to improve gut microbiome: green leafy vegetables, antioxidant-rich berries, probiotics, healthy fats, herbs and spices, and hydration. Ella Davar is a registered dietitian and wellness expert who has helped clients achieve their health and weight loss goals, improve digestion, and develop new habits through her signature Gut-Brain method.
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Source Description
NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for medical advice. This talk only represents the speaker’s views and understanding of diet, health, and disease prevention. We’ve flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. Volunteers independently organized TEDx events. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf.
There is emerging scientific evidence about gut microflora and its connection to our brains. Every chemical in our brain was once on our fork. The brain-gut axis is a form of communication between the central nervous system and the gut. Research also demonstrates the critical role of the gut microbiome and the microbes residing in our gut – the ability to influence emotions such as anxiety, mood, pain, and cognition.
This talk will cover 6 top food recommendations to improve gut microbiome (green leafy vegetables, antioxidant-rich berries, probiotics, healthy fats and Omega 3, herbs and spices, and hydration).
Ella Davar RD is a registered dietitian, gut health and wellness expert, media nutritionist, and speaker. For almost a decade, Ella has helped clients achieve their health and weight loss goals, improve digestion, and develop new habits to live healthier lives. This led to her signature Gut-Brain method, a digestive and mental health transformation program combining mindfulness techniques with nutrition science.
Ella received her education in Nutrition Science from New York University and Integrative Nutrition Certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Ella is a regular contributor to MindBodyGreen, and Her upcoming book, “Gut Feelings,” offers a cohesive list of priorities, plans of action, and hacks that help her clients reach their wellness goals while healthily managing busy lifestyles. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.
