Sauerkraut is a German name for sour cabbage, which literally is what sauerkraut is. It is a cruciferous vegetable (cabbage) that has been cut into fine pieces then fermented using bacteria such as lactic acid. Sauerkraut is a healthy food whose health benefits far outstrip its disadvantages, especially if you love fermented foods. Below, then, are the various health benefits of sauerkraut.
Health Benefit #1: Possible Robotic Benefits
The live bacteria generated by the fermenting cabbage are healthy for the gut. This is because they prevent growth of harmful bacteria. Moreover, they promote a healthy immune system. In particular, the live bacteria a help in the synthesis of vitamin B and offer relief from diarrhea.
Health Benefit #2: Source of Ascorbic Acid
Sauerkraut contains a good amount of vitamin C. Among others, it also contains a good amount of vitamin K, not to mention boosting the energy levels in the body with some traces of iron. On a word of advice, though, it should be consumed in moderation due to the presence of high amount of sodium.
Health Benefit #4: Fiber Rich
Fiber is useful in the body for protecting it against heart diseases. There are two types of fibers; soluble and insoluble. Sauerkraut contains soluble fiber which binds with bad fats and eliminates them as toxins. As a result, there’s little cholesterol absorbed in the body.
Health Benefit #5: Makes Strong Bones
Sauerkraut helps in making bones stronger due to the collagen .Crystals of calcium and phosphorus bind with collagen to from the bone. The presence of vitamin K assists in the mineralization. Just one cup of sauerkraut is sufficient to provide you 35% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C and 23% of vitamin K.
Health Benefit #6: Source of Energy
The iron element found in sauerkraut is important in the production of energy. Iron helps in the transportation of energy through red blood cells. Without iron, energy levels drop leading to anemia and the resultant lack of energy. Sauerkraut Improves on the energy levels in the body by supplying you with 12% of the RDA .Additionally, the presence of Vitamin c promotes the absorption the absorption of iron.
Health Benefit #7: Improves Digestion
Sauerkraut helps to improve on digestion, thereby minimizing constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) I among others. The healthy gut results from the useful bacteria in the digestive tract which fights the various diseases as mentioned. In particular, the presence of lactic acid is useful in food breakdown.
Health Benefit#8: Anti-Cancer Properties
The photochemical present in sauerkraut during the fermentation process is useful in fighting cancer. This chemical converts isothiocynates, compounds that greatly fight off cancer in the body.They stop cancer cell growth and eliminate carcinogens, thereby removing the risk of the various cancers such as breast, colon, liver and lung cancers.
Health Benefits #9: Ulcer treatment
Cabbage has a great amount of vitamin U, known to treat ulcers. It turns that sauerkraut can be useful in the treatment of peptic ulcers.
Health Benefit #10: Eye health
Sauerkraut is a rich source of anti-oxidants, namely lutein and zea-xanthin, both of which are crucial in the improvement of eye health. Both are yellow pigments that naturally found in many plants and vegetables. They are mostly found in the macula of the human eye and are responsible for giving it its yellowish color.
Photo Credit : Dinkum via Creative Commons
