Sauerkraut can be used to make many delicious dishes, but that's not the only reason it's loved.
Sauerkraut and its juice are rich in vitamins and have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. In short, a modern multivitamin.
Sauerkraut is a perennial favorite, with several kilograms of it consumed each year.
Stewed, stuffed, steamed, in soup, salad or raw, it is a rich source of vitamins and nutrients.
Cabbage is fermented with the addition of salt or salted water and starter for 10-90 days.
The content of vitamin C in cabbage is very high (20 mg/100 g), which is not lost during pickling, like other valuable components.
Thus, for example, Captain James Cook was able to protect his crew from scurvy, and therefore it is excellent for supporting blood vessels and strengthening the immune system.
Scurvy was mainly a disease of sailors, developed due to a poor, monotonous diet that did not contain raw vegetables and fruits.
In addition to vitamin C, cabbage also contains vitamin B1, niacin and carotene. Among the minerals, it contains phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium. It also has a high water content (92.5 g / 100 g), so you can trust it even when calculating your daily fluid needs.
The best sauerkraut is the traditional one. Unfortunately, most of the stuff available in stores is made with rapid aging.
Sauerkraut is recommended to be eaten raw, but with the right cooking process, many vitamins and microelements can be preserved.
Panicle of the intestinal system
In terms of lactic acid content, cabbage rivals kefir even in its raw form, and when pickled, the sugar in it becomes the same. In addition to preventing the rotting of the food itself, lactic acid also has a number of beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
Lactic acid bacteria, i.e. lactobacilli, act primarily in the large intestine, as they help restore the disturbed balance after stress, infections or courses of antibiotics.
However, the real secret is not in this, but in the high content of fiber. Fiber is what is called indigestible food. The cell wall of plant cells, i.e. cellulose, cannot be digested by the human body, so the fiber actually acts as a brush in the intestines.
They help to cleanse the body of all unwanted impurities. In addition, they bind water so that it cannot be absorbed by the large intestine. Thus, by eating such cabbage, you can count on regular and high-quality stool.
Sauerkraut juice is a broom for the intestinal system, drinking just 100 ml a day strengthens the intestinal flora and destroys harmful bacteria, relieves the load on the liver.
Every bite is health
You can get so many useful substances from sauerkraut in its raw form, but what if you eat it cooked?
Although it loses its vitamin C content during cooking, it still retains it. So it's best not to overdo it, as it doesn't make any sense anyway, cabbage is best when it's crunchy.
Patients with gallbladder should use with caution!
Like all “miracle drugs,” sauerkraut is not a one-size-fits-all remedy.
This acidified food can also cause problems for those who suffer from digestive diseases, those who have gallstones, and those who are prone to flatulence, precisely because it contains a lot of dietary fiber and essential oil.
Previously, we talked about what foods are good for heart health.
Author: Valeria Kisternaya
