Sauerkraut Health Benefits
Sauerkraut is one of those foods that people either really love or hate. If you enjoy eating this classic German food, you are in luck. In addition to tasting great, it is excellent for you as well. If you don’t like it, let us invite you to try it again sometime. There are quite a few kids of sauerkraut, each of which has a distinct taste. See if you can find one you like, even if it is just mixed in with other foods, so you too can enjoy the great health benefits.
What Is Sauerkraut?
Sauerkraut is finely cut cabbage, which has been fermented. This fermentation process is what gives it the unique taste, and many of the health benefits as well. While it is today best known as a German food, it is likely that it has its origin somewhere in China. Like many
fermented foods, it has a long history and continues to be a very popular option today. It offers those who consume it high amounts of dietary
fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, B vitamins and more. It is also an excellent source of iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, sodium, calcium, and even a decent amount of
protein. When enjoyed all together, you’ll get the following health benefits.
Ideal for Strong Bones
Regularly adding sauerkraut to your diet is an excellent way to strengthen your bones, and even help to prevent osteoporosis. This is possible thanks to the vitamin K content, which is essential for healthy bones. The vitamin K contributes to producing the proteins that are used by the body to allow bone mineralization
Helps to Prevent Cancer
This great dish is filled with probiotics, which contain antioxidants that have been shown to fight cancer. Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, which is very healthy for those who have cancer, and those who want to avoid it. This food has phytochemicals such as sulfur compounds, indoles, and others that have been shown to protect cells from cancerous activity.
Boost Your Mood & Lower Your Stress
Sauerkraut has been shown to help reduce the stress people experience and improve their mood. This is because of the probiotics found in this food that combines with digestive components in the body. This can help improve the function of your brain in many ways. Your brain requires specific amino acids and fatty acids to produce and regulate essential hormones like serotonin. Eating sauerkraut has been linked to the production and absorption of these essential components.
Reduce the Effects of Allergies
Sauerkraut has been shown to regulate cells known as NK cells. These are often called natural killer cells, and they help to control inflammatory pathways in the body and also have been shown to reduce the effect of food allergies. While not a solution for severe allergies, it can help to minimize the reaction for many common issues.
Overall Improved Immune Function
As you may be aware, the majority of your immune functionality occurs in your gut. Having a healthy gut is essential for fighting off diseases and remaining healthy. Sauerkraut has been shown to help control specific types of
immune cells, which can prevent autoimmune reactions. The same probiotics also contribute to reducing inflammation in the body, which is linked to a wide range of different chronic diseases.
Improved Digestion
Having a healthy digestive tract is crucial for the overall comfort and well-being of most people. Even if you don’t have specific problems today, taking steps to ensure your digestion takes place normally is very important. Sauerkraut contains a specific bacteria strain that is developed during the fermentation process. This bacteria
helps to improve the overall digestive process in the body. These benefits can be compared to probiotic yogurt, which his one of the best known foods for digestive improvements.
Heart Health Improvements
Keeping your heart healthy is crucial, and one of the best ways to do that is to consume healthy fiber. Fiber helps to remove the unhealthy cholesterol from the walls of your blood vessels and arteries. This can contribute to ensuring the blood in your body can flow through quickly, thus reducing the risk of heart problems and other vascular issues such as stroke.
Ideal for Energy
If you want to get a boost of energy for the day, this should be part of your meal plan. Cabbage has a lot of iron in it, which can help your body to produce energy. Iron can also contribute to improving blood flow throughout the body, which is very important during times of heavy activity. Of course, getting enough iron prevents side effects of anemia such as fatigue, headaches and more. Having a serving or two of this delicious food will help your body maintain the energy levels it needs.
On its Own or with Other Foods
As you can see, sauerkraut offers many great health benefits that you can enjoy. Most people consume sauerkraut as part of the main dish with foods like sausage mixed in. It can be a side dish on its own. It can also be eaten hot, cold, or room temperature. It is a very flexible food so try it in a number of ways to see which one is your favorite. Once you find a preparation method that you love, you’ll be glad to have it on your plate on a very regular basis.
