When you feel yourself getting sick, eating sour foods may not be your first instinct. However, you could be missing out on some intense vitamin- and nutrient-rich foods. In this blog, we’re going to discuss all of the most surprising health benefits of sour foods.
Boosts Immune System
You may have heard the age-old expression that eating an apple every day to keep the doctor away. While this phrase isn’t tied directly to the health benefits of sour foods, the sentiment of this statement is relatively accurate. However, citrus foods such as grapefruit, oranges, and limes are more likely to give your immune system the boost it needs to stay healthy.
Sour and citrus fruits have high levels of a compound known as citric acid. Citric acid is responsible for the sour and tangy bite of fruits. Although citric acid overwhelms the flavors of fruits to taste mainly sour, these fruits also contain high levels of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants.
These nutrients play a crucial role in keeping your immune system strong to fight back against illness and diseases.
Regulates Digestion
Several different factors can give food its sour flavor. For example, many sour foods are fermented. When foods are fermented, yeast and healthy bacteria process the sugars and glucose in foods and convert these ingredients into organic acids, alcohol, and gases.
The fermentation process gives sour foods their unique and distinct texture and flavor. This process also creates benefits for your health.
These sour and fermented foods are rich in vitamins and regulate beneficial bacteria in your body. When you have a balanced number of beneficial bacteria in your gut, your body can process digestion more regularly. Excess fats and cholesterol can all be detoxed by a healthy diet of sour and fermented foods.
Improves Energy Levels
Ever notice that sour candy or treats can lead to a burst of energy? These refreshing treats effectively increase energy levels because their delicious taste releases chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine to improve your mood.
If you struggle with regulating your energy levels throughout the day, try making your own sour candy to have a treat to revitalize your day! When you make your own candy, you can control how much sugar you use to keep snacks healthier without sacrificing taste. With so many different variations of sour flavors to add with conveniently concentrated candy flavoring, your treats will be the perfect wake-up call to a dull day.
If you feel yourself coming down with a cold or need a burst of energy, try reaching for more sour foods to indulge in these tangy health benefits. Need help stocking up your sour flavor supplies? Here at Get Suckered, we offer various flavor concentrates and emulsions to help make your recipes even more delicious. Browse through our website to check out more of our flavor options!