Gut health is quite popular right now. Increasing your intake of foods that promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut is generally regarded to be the key to improved health in all areas: increased energy and immunity; improved mood; improved digestion; improved sleep; and so on. This is where the sauerkraut benefits come in. As many people are talking about the microbiome, the original fermented food, sauerkraut, is being relegated to the back of the line while kombucha, probiotic pills, and other products take the spotlight from it.
The argument against sauerkraut is unjustified since fermented cabbage is a probiotic food that provides several health advantages to its consumers. Aside from that, it's also a terrific complement to a sandwich. In this article, nutritionist and registered dietitian Erica Ingraham, RND discusses the nutritional advantages of sauerkraut as well as her top advice for making sure you're getting the most nutritional value for your money when you purchase it.
The health benefits of sauerkraut for your stomach, immune system, and heart
1. Yes, it is beneficial to your digestive system. This is one of the primary reasons why healthy eaters are so enthusiastic about sauerkraut. One tiny pilot research discovered that eating sauerkraut on a daily basis may help alleviate the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). When the researchers tested the participants' faeces in the lab, they discovered an increase in the number of beneficial bacteria. Probiotics are abundant in fermented food, and they have been linked to improved gut health in studies.
"Another advantage of sauerkraut is that it includes dietary fibre, which assists in digestion, helps to maintain a healthy blood sugar level, and may even help to decrease cholesterol," Ingraham explains. "Including fibre in your meal not only makes it more fulfilling, but it also keeps you fuller for a longer period of time," she explains. One cup of sauerkraut has three grammes of fibre, which is a significant reduction from the recommended daily intake of 25 grammes.
2. It is beneficial to your immune system. Ingraham claims that this is one of the advantages of 'kraut' that is usually underestimated. "Sauerkraut is a good source of vitamin C, which is important for maintaining a healthy immune system," she explains. One cup of broccoli contains 21 milligrammes of vitamin C, which is about 28 percent of the daily recommended consumption of 75 milligrammes.
3. It contains a significant amount of vitamin K. According to Ingraham, another advantage of fermented cabbage that is often neglected is its ability to help with digestion. "It is beneficial for bone health and heart health," she adds to the supplement's advantages. One cup of sauerkraut contains 19 micrograms of vitamin K, which is about 20 percent of the daily recommended intake.
It contains vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant. Sauerkraut, in addition to containing vitamins C and K, also includes vitamin A, which is essential for keeping excellent eyesight and for decreasing inflammation. It also has growth and development-promoting properties, so if you have children, be sure to include them in your sauerkraut diet as well.
5. Sauerkraut is a simple and easy to digest food. Another advantage of sauerkraut over unfermented cabbage is that it's a little gentler on the digestive system than the former. It's possible that some individuals may find sauerkraut simpler to stomach than raw cabbage, according to Ingraham. The bacteria in fermentation begin the digestive process for you, so that by the time it reaches your mouth, part of the job has already been completed. In addition, she claims that sauerkraut naturally includes enzymes that make the actual digestive process a little simpler to deal with. People who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may discover that sauerkraut and probiotic meals might help decrease unpleasant digestive symptoms such as cramping, bloating, and gas."
6. It has the potential to lower the risk of cancer. As Ingraham adds, "both sauerkraut and cabbage are excellent sources of glucosinolates and ascorbigen, both of which are cancer-fighting phytochemicals." "Sauerkraut and cabbage contain sulforaphane, a chemical that has been shown to inhibit HDAC enzymes, a family of enzymes that has been linked to the development of cancer. More study, however, is required to evaluate if sauerkraut has any cancer-prevention benefits."
7. Sauerkraut may be beneficial to one's mental health. "Sauerkraut, as a fermented food, may be beneficial to one's mental health," adds Ingraham. A growing body of evidence suggests that probiotic foods like sauerkraut, which contain beneficial bacteria for the stomach and brain, may help boost memory, promote cognition and ease the symptoms of stress and anxiety. She goes on to say that additional research is required in order to discover more about the link.
8. It's an excellent source of B vitamin folate. It's crucial to get enough folate, even if you're not pregnant, so be sure to eat plenty of sauerkraut and fermented cabbage. Getting enough folate decreases the risk of heart disease and stroke, and it may even be able to prevent age-related hearing loss and gum disease—it's a multitasking superstar!
Sauerkraut is beneficial to the digestive system
As you can see from the list of advantages above, one of the most significant advantages of consuming a lot of sauerkraut is that it is beneficial to your digestive system. This is due to the combination of high fibre content and high probiotic content in the product. The fact that it is simple to digest also plays a role in this situation. You should begin with eating fiber-rich foods that are mild on the stomach, such as sauerkraut. Once your body has been used to consuming fibrous meals that are more difficult to break down, you should go on to more difficult-to-break down foods.
