5 Health Benefits of Sauerkraut!

Sauerkraut , a form of fermented cabbage , has been popular throughout Central Europe for hundreds of years. It is one of the healthiest foods out there ( Cabbage ) with one of the most beneficial and time-honored food preparation methods (fermentation).

According to the Institute for Integrative Medicine at the University of Witten, Germany, sauerkraut is one of the most common and ancient ways to preserve cabbage and can be traced back as an important food source to the 4th century BC.

Nutritional values ​​of sauerkraut:

Sauerkraut is very low in calories, but as you can see, it is an anti-inflammatory food and full of benefits. In addition to having probiotics to offer, sauerkraut is a good source of antioxidants and dietary fiber, thanks to its main ingredient: Cabbage . Even eating a small amount daily — just several tablespoons — provides a great source of nutrients, including vitamin K , vitamin C , calcium, potassium, and phosphorus — and, of course, probiotics. As an added bonus, the proliferation of microorganisms in fermented vegetables increases their digestibility and increases the absorption of their various nutrients.

• 14 calories.
• 0 grams of fat.
• 4 grams of Fiber .
• 3 grams of Carbohydrates.
• 1 gram of sugar.
• 1 gram of protein.
• 496 milligrams of Sodium .
• 11 milligrams of Vitamin C (17% of DV).
• 10 micrograms of Vitamin K (8% of DV).
• 1 milligram of Iron (6% of DV).
• 1 milligram of Manganese (6% of DV).
• 1 milligram of Vitamin B6 (6% to VD).
• 17 micrograms of Folate (5% of DV).

Health benefits of sauerkraut:

1. Improve digestion:

Microorganisms present in sauerkraut, including those of the lactobacillus bacteria genus, essentially “feed” the good bacteria in your gut, which improves digestive health being one of the best sauerkraut benefits .

As they can decrease the presence of toxins, inflammation and bad bacteria that live inside your digestive tract, probiotic bacteria are beneficial for reducing symptoms like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation (yes, they help you get rid of poop! ), diarrhea , bloating, food sensitivities, and digestive disorders.

2. Improves Immune Function:

One of the main health benefits of sauerkraut is to improve immune function. Also, although most people don’t realize it, the gut is the organ that contains the majority of your immune system, and the probiotics in sauerkraut play an important role in regulating gut health. Beneficial bacteria can educate, activate and support the immune system.

3. Reduces inflammation and allergies:

The probiotic benefits of sauerkraut help in the increase and regulation of NK cells, which are nicknamed “killer cells”, which control the body’s inflammatory pathways and become an effective method against infections or food allergic reactions. This, in turn, can lower your risk of developing virtually every chronic disease out there, from heart disease to cancer.

4. Improve cognitive health and mood:

It’s not hard to imagine how our brain and digestive systems are connected – think about the last time you felt “sick to your stomach” or had butterflies in your belly from being nervous. What’s more, researchers are still learning about the fascinating and intimate relationship between your gut and your brain, especially how this relationship really is two-way, or a “two-way street.”

5. Against cancer:

In addition to the numerous health benefits that sauerkraut  offers, its main ingredient, Cabbage , also has a lot to offer. Cabbage is a vegetable that fights diseases on its own. Cabbage  is among a group of high antioxidant foods and cruciferous vegetables known to be powerful cancer-fighting foods .

One reason cabbage and other cruciferous foods have protective effects is because they provide a variety of antioxidants and dietary fiber. Cabbage has phytonutrients including isothiocyanates and indoles . In the laboratory, these have been shown to protect against the formation of cancer cells and have positive effects in reducing inflammation.

Final Thoughts:

Sauerkraut is a fermented food packed with probiotics that provide benefits not only for the gut, but also the immune system, the mind, and beyond. Fermented foods can even help your body prevent cancer.

It’s been around for a long time, and the best way to use sauerkraut is to make your own or buy high-quality chilled varieties. Try sauerkraut made from different cabbages to find the type you like best!