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Modern diets and lifestyles can change the balance of bacteria in the gut. This article looks at how traditional Chinese medicine views digestion and how fermented foods can fit into everyday meals.

The role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in digestive health

For thousands of years, traditional Chinese medicine has taken a holistic view of health in which diet and nutrition play a central part, including for digestion. In TCM theory, health revolves around Qi, the vital energy said to sustain the body's functions. Traditionally, balanced Qi is associated with wellbeing, while depleted Qi is linked with things not working as they should.

What modern research is exploring

Interest in digestive health has grown in modern science too. The gut is sometimes nicknamed the second brain because of the many nerve connections between the digestive tract and the brain. Large research efforts such as the Human Microbiome Project have mapped the communities of bacteria that live in our digestive system, and researchers are still working out how these microbes relate to physical and mental wellbeing. Diet, stress and the use of antibiotics are among the factors that can change the mix of gut bacteria.

Fermented foods in the diet

Fermentation is an ancient way of preserving food, and many fermented foods contain live bacteria. Some people include them in their meals as part of a varied diet. Common examples include:

• Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), a traditional European staple that adds a sour crunch to meals.
• Yogurt, especially varieties labelled as containing live cultures.
• Kimchi, the spiced Korean fermented vegetable dish, usually made with cabbage, garlic and chilli.

Research on the health effects of individual fermented foods is ongoing and results are mixed, so it makes sense to enjoy them as one part of a balanced diet rather than as a remedy. Some fermented foods are high in salt, and people with certain medical conditions or a weakened immune system should check with their GP or a dietitian before making changes.

A TCM perspective on the gut

In a TCM consultation, diet is usually discussed alongside acupuncture and herbal medicine as part of a whole-person approach to wellbeing. Some people use these traditional practices as a complement to their usual medical care. If you would like to explore this, our practitioner is happy to talk with you about the traditional view of digestion.