Tehseen Siddiqui, Chief Dietitian at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, highlights the benefits of fermented foods for gut health and the gut-brain connection. She explains that these foods, rich in probiotics, support beneficial gut bacteria, aiding digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Siddiqui notes that a balanced gut also positively influences mood, stress regulation, and sleep. She suggests incorporating unsweetened yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and traditional items like curd and buttermilk into daily meals or smoothies for these benefits.