Functionalities of
Fermentation Foods
Fermented foods are an essential part of our diet. Not only are they delicious, but numerous studies have shown their health benefits, which are attributed to the fermentation process. Nagano Prefecture, known for its longevity, has a deep-rooted culture of incorporating fermented foods into daily meals. You can search for the health benefits of fermented foods based on the functionalities and components.
List of Functionalities
We introduce foods that scientific literature has shown to contribute to health. However, it’s important to remember that they are not medications and cannot cure diseases or ailments. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s essential to focus on a balanced diet.
| Functionality (health benefit) |
Included Foods |
|---|---|
| Improvement of vascular function | Canned/bottled tomato juice |
| Weight-loss | Miso, sake (including sake kasu (byproduct of sake brewing process)), pickles, soba, agar, canned/bottled apple juice, tofu, processed meat products, vinegar |
| Improvement of lipid metabolism | Sake (including sake kasu (byproduct of sake brewing process)), soba, freeze-dried tofu, tofu, fresh noodles, buckwheat flour, dairy products, vinegar |
| Improvement of blood glucose levels | Freeze-dried tofu, amazake (fermented rice drink), walnut sweets, fresh noodles, dairy products, dried tomatoes, vinegar |
| Anti-inflammatory | Freeze-dried tofu, agar |
| Reduction of disease risk | Wine, pickles, amazake (fermented rice drink), walnut sweets, tofu, bran, processed meat products |
| Better bowel function | Sake (including sake kasu (byproduct of sake brewing process)), pickles, amazake (fermented rice drink), agar, tofu, fresh noodles, oyaki buns, bran |
| Improvement of blood pressure | Miso, sake (including sake kasu (byproduct of sake brewing process)), pickles, chestnut sweets, dairy products, processed meat products, vinegar |
| Immunomodulation | Pickles, amazake (fermented rice drink) |
| Antithrombotic | Pickles |
| Anti-ageing | Miso, pickles, soy sauce, soba, amazake (fermented rice drink) |
| Fatigue reduction | Pickles |
| Antioxidant effects | Wine, soba, amazake (fermented rice drink), sweets, tofu, fresh noodles, flour based products |
| Skin-beautifying effect | Sake (including sake kasu (byproduct of sake brewing process)), amazake (fermented rice drink), tofu, dried chicken skin |
| Cancer risk reduction | Miso, soy sauce, sake (including sake kasu (byproduct of sake brewing process)), tofu, dried Chinese yams |
| Plenty of vitamins | Dried mushrooms |
| Anti-stress | Sake (including sake kasu (byproduct of sake brewing process)) |
| Improvement of liver function | Sake (including sake kasu (byproduct of sake brewing process)), amazake (fermented rice drink) |
| Diuretic effect | Sake (including sake kasu (byproduct of sake brewing process)) |
| Cavity prevention | Dairy products |
| Rich in calcium | Dairy products |