Bacteria growth is a serious problem, and it doesn’t lend itself to a casual tone of voice. The subject requires a formal tone in order to be taken seriously. The “Which of the following foods does not support bacteria growth” blog intro must sound as scientific as possible, for the same reasons why one would write an article about bacteria growth sounding scientific. The question gets you thinking about bacteria in a way that you never have before and that’s its power.
Foods that are acidophilus-rich, such as plain yogurt
The following are some foods that will not support bacteria growth.
- Pineapples, which contain bromelain, an enzyme that inhibits the growth of bacteria.
- Garlic, which contains allicin, another enzyme that has been found to inhibit the growth of certain types of bacteria.
- Carrots contain beta carotene, which converts to vitamin A in your body. Vitamin A also helps keep your mucous membranes healthy and intact; when they break down, it allows bacteria to enter your body and cause infections.
Foods that contain many live cultures, such as uncooked sauerkraut and miso soup
Sauerkraut and other fermented foods are not the only foods that contain live cultures. Other foods you might be surprised to learn that have live cultures include:
- Unpasteurized milk, cheeses and yogurt
- Unpasteurized apple juice and cider
- Raw honey
- Kimchi, sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables
The list goes on and on. The point is that there are many types of foods that support bacteria growth. However, they do not all support the same type of bacteria growth. For example, sauerkraut contains multiple strains of lactobacilli bacteria that help break down food during the fermentation process.
Foods rich in probiotics, such as cheese and tempeh
Bacteria are everywhere. They live on our skin and in our mouths, intestines, stomachs and genitalia. They’re even in our guts the icky kind of bacteria that cause food poisoning reside there, too.
But not all bacteria are bad for us. Some can actually be beneficial to our health. For example, eating yogurt is thought to help prevent vaginal yeast infections by increasing the number of “good” bacteria in the vagina.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that benefit your health when consumed on a regular basis. Good sources of probiotics include yogurt, kefir, kimchi and kombucha tea, as well as many miso pastes and fermented cheeses such as mozzarella and brie.
Other foods rich in probiotics include sauerkraut; tempeh; pickled vegetables such as kimchi; miso paste; natto (fermented soybeans); pickles; and some types of cheese like mozzarella, brie and cottage cheese (made from unpasteurized milk).
None of the above foods support bacteria growth
Bacteria grow best in an environment with a pH of 7 or below, so they thrive on acidic foods like vinegar and wine. Bacteria also prefer salty foods, like olives and pickles. Foods that support bacteria growth include breads, pastas and other carbohydrates with a high starch content.
Some foods are not as prone to bacterial growth as others, but they do not support it either. Starchy vegetables like potatoes, carrots and beets may seem like they might encourage bacteria growth because they’re starchy, but this is not the case; these vegetables have a pH level that prevents bacteria from growing on them.
Bacteria can’t grow in the freezer so it’s safe to keep food there for as long as you want
One of the most common questions about food safety is how long can you keep food in the freezer.
The answer is simple: as long as you want.
It’s true that bacteria can’t grow in the freezer, so it’s safe to keep food there for as long as you want. Of course, if you leave food in your freezer indefinitely and never eat it, eventually the quality of the food will deteriorate. But if you’re keeping something frozen for only a few months, there should be no problem with eating it when ready.
Freezing also slows down bacterial growth, so even if some bacteria do manage to grow in your freezer before freezing them, they won’t be able to reproduce very quickly once they’re frozen again.
All foods support bacteria growth
All foods support bacteria growth. The following foods do not support bacteria growth:
- Meat, fish, and poultry can be cooked at a high enough temperature to kill any bacteria present in them.
- Canned foods are sterile because they are cooked at high temperatures and sealed before being sold on the market.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables have low amounts of water content, so they do not provide a good environment for bacterial growth unless they have been injured somehow (cut or bruised).
Conclusion
All of these foods are viable for bacteria to grow in, if the food is not handled properly or if the clumps of bacteria-supporting foods become large enough. Be cautious when handling foods that can encourage germs. Lift plates or bowls straight up, rather than sliding them along the ground or a table. And always wash your hands thoroughly before eating, after handling raw meats and poultry, after using the bathroom, and before touching a person that you may have come into contact with while they were sick.
