Consumption of fermented foods provides supplements of different types of probiotics, which have the function of enhancing the human’s immune system. Briefly, the probiotics from fermented foods mainly function in the human gut, and for the immune system, immunomodulation can be triggered, leading to a more balanced immune response. The immune system can then strengthen immunity, as well as have better control of inflammatory bowel diseases (read more here).
It is also found that probiotics can enhance not only specific immune responses but also nonspecific ones. Various pathways were found that contribute to such responses, including activating macrophages, increasing cytokines, increasing natural killer cell activity, and levels of immunoglobulins (read more here).
One study used mice models to learn about how probiotics in fermented foods affect the immune system. They found out that the mice fed with yogurt had more IgA-producing cells, which increased as the dose of yogurt increased (the paper can be found here).
Combining these, consuming fermented foods can enhance one’s immune system and lead to better health. Fermented foods that are rich in probiotics are good sources of improving immunity, such as yogurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese, tempeh, sauerkraut, and miso soup.
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