Sauerkraut: benefits and harm to the body, is it good for losing weight?

Sauerkraut is a common snack that many housewives make. Moreover, each has its own recipe for its preparation, passed down between generations. In order for sauerkraut to be crispy, aromatic and with a pleasant sourness, it is necessary to strictly follow the stages of its fermentation and further storage. However, this dish is valued not only for its high taste properties. The benefits of sauerkraut in the treatment and prevention of various diseases are known.

Sauerkraut is a source of beneficial components for health in the autumn-winter period.

What vitamins are contained in sauerkraut

This product is characterized by a rich chemical composition.It is valued primarily for its high concentration of vitamin C. 200 g of the snack contains half of a person’s daily requirement for this component. Pickle salt is superior to lemons in terms of ascorbic acid content. The benefit of sauerkraut also lies in the presence of vitamin B6. But it is precisely this that promotes better protein absorption. Therefore, pickled salt is recommended to be consumed with meat.

The snack also contains vitamin A. This component benefits the human body because it is a powerful antioxidant, which helps slow down the aging process. Vitamin A also contributes to the normal functioning of the endocrine, digestive and respiratory systems. It is involved in fat metabolism, bone tissue formation, and redox processes.

Pickle also contains vitamin E. This component is vital for the reproductive system. Its benefit also lies in the fact that it affects blood clotting, prevents the formation of blood clots and cholesterol plaques, and increases the elasticity of blood vessels.

Pickle also contains vitamin PP. This component is responsible for tissue growth and is also involved in the process of converting fats and sugars into energy. The benefit of vitamin PP is that it improves the functioning of the heart muscle and helps cleanse the body of toxins.

Sauerkraut also contains vitamin K. Its function is to transport calcium throughout the body, which helps normalize blood clotting. It prevents the development of osteoporosis, bile duct obstruction, and internal bleeding.

The chemical composition of pickle also includes vitamin D. The benefit of this component is that it promotes the full development of bone tissue and prevents rickets.Vitamin D also improves the functioning of the thyroid gland and prevents the formation of cancer cells. The element increases the absorption of phosphorus and potassium.

In addition to vitamins, sauerkraut also contains microelements - sodium, copper, potassium, iron, phosphorus, iodine, calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium. Therefore, its benefits for human health are invaluable.

Important! Pickle salt helps to compensate for the deficiency of useful components during the cold season, when the human body experiences an increased need for them.

Beneficial properties of sauerkraut for the human body

This product is widely used not only in cooking, but also in medicine. It has been noted that pickle salt has antibacterial, restorative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-carcinogenic effects when used correctly. Moreover, sauerkraut has preventive and medicinal properties. It prevents the development of complications and helps get rid of unpleasant symptoms.

Snacks increase resistance to stress

The beneficial properties of sauerkraut for men are that it has a beneficial effect on the prostate gland and improves erectile function. And the product's brine helps eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of a hangover.

The snack is also healthy for women. It improves the structure of nails and hair, and also helps with painful menstruation and relieve unpleasant symptoms during menopause. Moreover, sauerkraut can be consumed even at night in moderate quantities.

Strengthens immunity

Pickle is considered the best product for strengthening the immune system. This is due to the high content of vitamin C in it. After all, ascorbic acid reduces the body’s susceptibility to viruses and bacteria.This occurs due to the production of phagocytes - special cells that destroy harmful microorganisms that enter the blood.

The benefits of sauerkraut for weight loss

Nutritionists note the benefits of this snack for weight loss. This is due to the low content of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, and an increased concentration of organic acids. But they are the ones who exhibit high biological activity and accelerate metabolic processes in the body.

Folic acid, which is present in the product, helps normalize weight even when other methods of losing weight do not bring the desired result. Once it enters the cells, it accelerates the burning of fat.

Important! Sauerkraut is one of the few foods that has a negative calorie content, since the body spends much more energy on its processing than it receives.

The calorie content of 100 g of snack is 23 kcal

Improves the functioning of the nervous system

The healing properties of sauerkraut also extend to the human nervous system. This is achieved due to the high content of B vitamins in the product. Since they are responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses from the brain to the peripheral processes.

Regular consumption of sauerkraut in moderate quantities can eliminate fatigue, irritability, normalize the psycho-emotional state, and improve sleep.

Cancer Prevention

Rasnosol is a fermentation product, during the preparation of which new chemical components are formed - isothiocyanates. They are unique in that they exhibit anti-cancer activity, which has been proven by traditional medicine. These substances prevent cell degeneration and destroy carcinogens.

Sauerkraut helps prevent the development of cancer of the intestines, mammary glands, and lungs when consumed 2-3 times a week.

Important! The snack is a preventive measure for cancer, but its consumption cannot replace a course of therapy.

Strengthens the cardiovascular system

The benefits of the product for the cardiovascular system have also been proven. After all, it promotes the dissolution of cholesterol plaques, normalizes the process of hematopoiesis, and this reduces the likelihood of developing a heart attack or stroke. The benefit of the snack is that it helps remove bile acids from the body. And this helps prevent atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Strengthens bones

The beneficial properties of the product also extend to bone tissue, since sauerkraut increases its density. This is due to the high content of vitamin D and calcium in the product. Therefore, the snack prevents the development of osteoporosis.

Another benefit of sauerkraut is that it fights inflammation thanks to the antioxidants it contains. This helps eliminate soreness in joints and muscles.

Benefits of sauerkraut for the liver

Sauerkraut removes waste and toxins from the body. Thanks to this, it benefits the liver, improving its function. And the brine formed during the preparation of the product helps remove single-celled helminths - Giardia - from the organ. To do this, you need to drink it half an hour before each meal.

For liver diseases, it is recommended to drink a health cocktail. To prepare it, you need to mix sauerkraut brine with tomato juice in equal quantities. Drink the drink three times a day for three months.

Benefits for skin and eyes

Sauerkraut contains vitamin A in large quantities. This reduces the risk of developing cataracts and prevents macular degeneration. The benefits of the product for the skin have also been proven. It enhances cell regeneration, increases epidermal turgor, and prevents the formation of wrinkles. Regular consumption of snacks helps get rid of acne and eczema. The product accelerates the healing of wounds, burns and ulcers if you regularly wash them with brine.

Sauerkraut enhances collagen production, which provides a rejuvenating effect

The benefits of sauerkraut for the stomach

During the fermentation process, fermented milk bacteria are formed in the product, which, when they enter the stomach with cabbage, suppress the activity of harmful microflora and improve digestive function.

Is sauerkraut good for the intestines?

The high fiber content of the product helps improve intestinal function. And lactic acid inhibits the development of harmful microorganisms and normalizes microflora. This helps prevent food from rotting and bloating.

Another benefit of sauerkraut for the intestines is that it relieves inflammation. In addition, it enhances peristalsis and provides a mild laxative effect.

Important! Lactic bacteria contained in sauerkraut are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, which helps eliminate dysbiosis.

The benefits of sauerkraut have also been proven for gastritis during periods of remission. However, in this case the product should not be consumed on an empty stomach, but rather combined with boiled potatoes and cereals.

Is it possible to have sauerkraut if you have diabetes?

The snack does not contain glucose or sugar. Therefore, it can be eaten even with a disease such as diabetes.Moreover, lactic acid and enzymes released during the fermentation process are necessary to normalize the functioning of the pancreas, which is the benefit of sauerkraut. But when the function of the endocrine system is disrupted, its normal functioning is extremely important.

Is it possible to have sauerkraut during breastfeeding?

Consumption of pickles during breastfeeding is possible, but subject to certain rules. After all, it cannot be said that this product is completely harmless for the digestive system of a newborn. It can cause gas formation and colic.

Nursing mothers can start eating sauerkraut in its pure form only when the baby is six months old. This product must be introduced into the diet gradually, starting with a small dosage. After this, you need to track the child’s body’s reaction to it. If a rash or bloating occurs, you should stop using it for a while. And if the baby’s body accepts the new product normally, then you can increase the norm.

Is it possible to have sauerkraut during pregnancy?

The snack is one of the foods that can be consumed during pregnancy if there are no contraindications. But only the dish prepared at home is acceptable.

During the period of gestation, pickled salt is a source of vitamins and minerals, which are so necessary for the full development of the baby and the health of the expectant mother. Sauerkraut helps fight flatulence and enhances protective properties against viruses, infections, and bacteria.

Snacks can be eaten at different stages of pregnancy

Brine helps to cope with toxicosis; you need to drink it in the morning. It is also an excellent remedy for hemorrhoids, which often bothers pregnant women.The high potassium content in sauerkraut also benefits expectant mothers. After all, this component normalizes kidney function, removes water from the body and thereby prevents swelling.

Important! During the period of gestation, you can eat fresh and stewed sauerkraut, prepared without adding salt and vinegar.

Which cabbage is healthier: fresh or pickled?

There is an opinion that fresh vegetables are much healthier than those that have been processed. However, in the case of sauerkraut, this is not true. After all, the appetizer is superior to white cabbage in many aspects. In addition to the fact that the taste of the product improves during fermentation, its beneficial properties increase.

Among them:

  • fiber becomes looser, which increases the digestibility of beneficial components;
  • the concentration of organic acids increases;
  • the amount of vitamin C increases.

For what diseases should you not eat sauerkraut?

Despite the benefits of pickle salt, in some cases it can be harmful to health. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with existing contraindications in advance.

You should not eat sauerkraut if:

  • gastritis with high acidity during an exacerbation;
  • gastroduodenitis;
  • pancreatitis;
  • acute form of ulcer;
  • renal failure;
  • urolithiasis.

Conclusion

The benefits of sauerkraut for human health are significant. After all, it combines unique properties, which reduces the likelihood of developing many diseases. However, it is worth understanding that the benefits come from pickling salt, which is obtained without the use of vinegar. Only in this case will it contain the maximum amount of vitamins, minerals, organic acids and beneficial bacteria.

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