FOOD
Local Mindful Eating
Sattvic Sauerkraut :
Fermented Foods and the Gut-Brain Axis
By Jennifer Malins
While on the mat , we focus on becoming more connected with our bodies and what ’ s going on inside them , our breath , and the thoughts that fill our minds . When we walk the path of yoga , we weave the philosophy into our daily existence , such as consuming sattvic foods , or foods that are light , nourishing , energizing and balancing . This level of consciousness enables us to sharpen our intuition and to gain the courage to follow up on “ gut feelings .” This means making decisions that aren ’ t based on perceivable logic , but turn out to be exactly the right choice .
I was fascinated when I read that the gut and brain develop from the same tissue , remain connected by the Vagus nerve , and continuously communicate with one another . Research shows that the two impact each other on a biological and psychological level , and that certain foods , such as fermented foods , not only help heal the gut , but impact one ’ s psychological state as well . Healing our digestive system through this sattvic food , which brings balance to body and mind , may be instrumental to our success on the yogic path .
The gut , with its 100 million neurons , has been classified as a second brain . Known as the enteric nervous system , the “ gut ” also contains 30 neurotransmitters , such as serotonin , which is understood to contribute to feelings of wellbeing and happiness in the first brain . A February 2010 Scientific American article entitled “ Think Twice : How the Gut ’ s ‘ Second Brain ’ Influences Mood and Well-Being ,” noted that “ Although gastrointestinal ( GI ) turmoil can sour one ' s moods , everyday emotional well-being may rely on messages from the brain below to the brain above .” While we are all are aware of the knot in our stomach as a result of anxiety , how many of us have compromised digestive systems as a result of the modern diet and lifestyle without even having symptoms ? Clients often come to me for stress management , only to find they have digestive issues they were unaware of , while others notice their mood improves as they heal their gut .
I became fascinated with digestion as a result of my gut failing me , or rather me failing it . In my teens , I took every antibiotic available for acne . I ate fast food and processed foods on a regular basis . I managed stress horribly , and my blood sugar was out of control . By the time I reached college , I was dealing with ulcers and depression , and by the time I finished graduate school in the United Kingdom , I could barely digest food at all . In fact , the year after I finished graduate school , I lived mostly on yogurt and cornflakes since everything else made me nauseous . Every day , I used deep breathing to help me keep my food down , which was when I discovered the power of breath and meditation . It wasn ’ t until I entered nutrition school that I began to figure out what was going on with my digestive system .
My recovery rapidly sped up when I discovered what I believe to be the gold mine of nutrition : fermented food , particularly sauerkraut . No , I ’ m not talking about the gray stuff you heat up and serve with sausage . This sauerkraut consists of raw , fermented vegetables that have live probiotic organisms that populate the gut with good bacteria , which aid us with the digestive process . I discovered its power through an intuitive accident during a bout of insomnia . I had no problem falling asleep , but I used to wake up at 3 a . m . on a regular basis , feeling wide awake and unable to go back to sleep for at least 90 minutes to 2 hours . There are a variety of possible reasons for this type of insomnia , but in my case , I believe it was a combination of poor digestion and chronic stress , both of which contributed to the other .
While on the mat , we focus on becoming more connected with our bodies and what ’ s going on inside them , our breath , and the thoughts that fill our minds . When we walk the path of yoga , we weave the philosophy into our daily existence , such as consuming sattvic foods , or foods that are light , nourishing , energizing and balancing . This level of consciousness enables us to sharpen our intuition and to gain the courage to follow up on “ gut feelings .” This means making decisions that aren ’ t based on perceivable logic , but turn out to be exactly the right choice .
I was fascinated when I read that the gut and brain develop from the same tissue , remain connected by the Vagus nerve , and continuously communicate with one another . Research shows that the two impact each other on a biological and psychological level , and that certain foods , such as fermented foods , not only help heal the gut , but impact one ’ s psychological state as well . Healing our digestive system through this sattvic food , which brings balance to body and mind , may be instrumental to our success on the yogic path .
The gut , with its 100 million neurons , has been classified as a second brain . Known as the enteric nervous system , the “ gut ” also
Photos : Courtesy of Jennifer Malins
contains 30 neurotransmitters , such as serotonin , which is understood to contribute to feelings of wellbeing and happiness in the first brain . A February 2010 Scientific American article entitled “ Think Twice : How the Gut ’ s ‘ Second Brain ’ Influences Mood and Well-Being ,” noted that “ Although gastrointestinal ( GI ) turmoil can sour one ' s moods , everyday emotional well-being may rely on messages from the brain below to the brain above .” While we are all are aware of the knot in our stomach as a result of anxiety , how many of us have compromised digestive systems as a result of the modern diet and lifestyle without even having symptoms ? Clients often come to me for stress management , only to find they have digestive issues they were unaware of , while others notice their mood improves as they heal their gut .
I became fascinated with digestion as a result of my gut failing me , or rather me failing it . In my teens , I took every antibiotic available for acne . I ate fast food and processed foods on a regular basis . I managed stress horribly , and my blood sugar was out of control . By the time I reached college , I was dealing with ulcers and depression , and by the time I finished graduate school in the United Kingdom , I could barely digest food at all . In fact , the year after I finished graduate school , I lived mostly on yogurt and cornflakes since everything else made me nauseous . Every day , I used deep breathing to help me keep my food down , which was when I discovered the power of breath and meditation . It wasn ’ t until I entered nutrition school that I began to figure out what was going on with my digestive system .
My recovery rapidly sped up when I discovered what I believe to be the gold mine of nutrition : fermented food , particularly sau-
28 INDIANA & YOGA MAGAZINE ISSUE 2