cheryl
Administrator
Staff member
Mapping microbiomes to improve food quantity, quality and safety - PHYS
Thanks to its key role in development, immunity and nutrition, the microbiome—the genetic material of all microorganisms that live in the human body—has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. The gut microbiome in particular, and how it affects overall health, has become a popular topic of scientific and medical research amid growing interest in fermented foods due to their proposed benefits for gastrointestinal health.
Fermented foods and beverages are produced through controlled microbial growth and the conversion of food components through enzymatic action. The majority of fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut contain probiotics. These are "live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host," according to a definition used by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics.
Thanks to its key role in development, immunity and nutrition, the microbiome—the genetic material of all microorganisms that live in the human body—has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. The gut microbiome in particular, and how it affects overall health, has become a popular topic of scientific and medical research amid growing interest in fermented foods due to their proposed benefits for gastrointestinal health.
Fermented foods and beverages are produced through controlled microbial growth and the conversion of food components through enzymatic action. The majority of fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut contain probiotics. These are "live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host," according to a definition used by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics.