Sauerkraut is thought to have originated in China about 2,000 years ago. Because current methods of food preservation, such as refrigerators and freezers, did not exist, the only way to keep food from rotting quickly was through the fermentation process.
Cabbage fermentation is the oldest type of cabbage preservation and has been one of the most important food sources since the 4th century BC.
Sauerkraut is now commonly eaten with meals and is quite popular in central Europe, particularly in Germany. It offers several health benefits since it contains enough amounts of vitamins C and K, fibre, and iron, which improves energy and the immune system. Although it has several benefits, it should be used in moderation because cabbage is fermented with salt and is high in sodium.
Half a cup of sauerkraut has 20% of the recommended daily salt intake. Furthermore, it has 13 calories, 4 grammes of fibre, 7 grammes of carbohydrates, 2 grammes of sugar, and 1 gramme of protein. It contains sodium, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, manganese, vitamin B6, and folic acid, among other vital elements.
Now that we’ve introduced you to this ancient and highly beneficial food, let’s talk about its health benefits.
It improves digestion
Sauerkraut contains probiotics, which are healthy bacteria that are the first to battle toxins and harmful bacteria in the body. They can also help with digestion and overall health, as well as avoid diarrhoea induced by antibiotics. They have been demonstrated in studies to alleviate both bloating and constipation.
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It improves the immune system
As previously said, this superfood is high in probiotics, which improve the balance of bacteria in the stomach, keeping your stomach wall healthy and preventing harmful chemicals from entering the rest of your body, so preserving your immune system. Furthermore, eating probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut on a daily basis helps lower the chance of contracting illnesses like colds or urinary tract infections. If you do get sick, consuming probiotics can help you recover up to three times faster than if you don’t take antibiotics. Sauerkraut is also high in vitamin C and iron, which help to boost the immune system. It is well known that increasing vitamin C intake during a cold can greatly speed up healing.
It reduces stress and maintains brain health
While your mood may influence what you eat, the opposite is also possible. What you consume can have an impact on your mood and brain function. A increasing corpus of studies indicates that what we eat influences whether we are happy or depressed. Having a healthy gut flora decreases stress and keeps the brain in good shape. Furthermore, probiotics included in sauerkraut boost memory and alleviate symptoms of anxiety, sadness, autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
It strengthens the heart
Fibre and probiotics help lower cholesterol, while vitamin K2 lowers the risk of heart disease by avoiding calcium deposits in the arteries. In one study, consistent use of vitamin K2 was shown to reduce the risk of death from heart disease by up to 57% over a seven to ten-year period. Another study discovered that women can reduce their risk of heart disease by up to 9% by taking 10 micrograms of vitamin K2 every day. One cup of sauerkraut, for example, provides around 6.6 micrograms of this vitamin.
Contributes to stronger bones
Vitamin K2, as previously indicated, is also important for bone health. We know that women nearing menopause struggle with bone strength and density. Vitamin K2 consumption slows bone loss, and multiple studies have shown that taking this vitamin on a daily basis, either through diet or supplements, can reduce the risk of spine or hip fractures by 60 to 80%.
Now that you’ve learned the primary advantages of this superfood, it’s up to you to decide whether to make your own or buy it from the shop. We always advocate doing it yourself because you will know exactly what you used. As a result, we’d like to attract your attention to the fact that if you decide to buy it, you should avoid additional sugars.
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