The benefits and harms of sauerkraut for the body

Sauerkraut is widely popular among the Russian population. It is served on a festive or everyday table as a national dish along with pickles. Experienced housewives change the classic recipe by preparing cabbage using their own technology. Most often, apples, carrots, caraway seeds, cranberries or greens are added to the composition. Sauerkraut has undeniable benefits to the human body, but it can also harm.

Chemical composition and value of elements

1. Cabbage is rich in ascorbic acid; it is abundant in the product. Vitamin C has a beneficial effect on the whole body. In particular, it supports the immune system at a high level. Ascorbic acid strengthens the vascular walls, cleanses the blood channels, and contributes to the rapid absorption of iron.
2. Vitamin C is one of the essential vitamins for humans. It must be ingested daily with food in order to fulfill its function. Sauerkraut copes with this to the full, per 100 gr. the product accounts for 69-70 mg. ascorbic acid. This amount is the daily norm for an adult.
3. Also, cabbage brine is rich in bioflavonoids, vitamins of various groups, antioxidants. All this together protects the internal organs from inflammation and the formation of cancer cells.
4. Sauerkraut includes micro and macro elements, pectin, inulin, dietary fiber (in particular fiber), organic acids, poly and monosaccharides. These compounds are necessary to remove decay products, radionuclides, as well as normalize the digestive system.
5. Generally speaking, a fermented vegetable contains tocopherol and retinol, which have a beneficial effect on the skin and hair. Cabbage contains thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, vitamins U, K, H.
6. As for macro- and microelements, the following are distinguished: chromium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, potassium. Also cabbage includes iodine, magnesium, copper.
7. A similar chemical list of elements allows you to saturate the body with all the necessary elements. In this case, you do not harm your health, do not gain extra pounds.

Calories 100 gr. the product varies between 23-25 ​​Kcal., it all depends on the additional components included in the dish.

The benefits of sauerkraut

1. For the gastrointestinal tract. It is useful for people with a healthy gastrointestinal tract to use sauerkraut in order to prevent peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach. This feature is achieved due to the incoming vitamin U, which is responsible for normalizing the acid balance and protecting the mucous membranes. Dietary fiber, namely fiber, is responsible for the rapid absorption of beneficial enzymes into the blood. From here metabolism is accelerated, food is absorbed faster and does not ferment in the intestines.
2. For the prevention of cancer. Sauerkraut has repeatedly participated in cancer research. It was proved that regular consumption of the product stops the rapid division of cancer cells and blocks the access of blood to existing tumors. The valuable substances that make up the product are aimed at combating oncological diseases of the mammary glands, intestines, and lungs.
3. For the vascular system and heart. The benefit of sauerkraut is to lower cholesterol. Vegetable-based juice prevents atherosclerosis, cardiac ischemia, and tachycardia. Sauerkraut is especially appreciated by men, who more often than women suffer from heart ailments (heart attack, stroke).Regular use of the product strengthens the vascular walls and normalizes heart rate.
4. For the nervous system. Sauerkraut is rich in vitamins B3, 6, 9, it also contains riboflavin and thiamine. Group B affects the transmission of nerve impulses, peripheral and central nervous systems. As a result, resistance to stress and nervous disorders increases. Sauerkraut affects the entire psycho-emotional background of a person, calms and fights insomnia. Also, the vegetable improves memory and all brain activity in particular, eliminates headaches and migraines.
5. For the immune system. The accumulation of ascorbic acid allows you to maintain the protective functions of the body at a high level. This property is especially appreciated by people with low immunity who are constantly sick between the seasons and with the spread of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, acute respiratory infections. Incoming vitamins will save you from vitamin deficiency, give strength and vitality. Cabbage juice removes mucus from the respiratory tract with bronchitis, treats inflammation of the throat, and lowers body temperature during fever.
6. For weight loss. Sauerkraut refers to dietary salads due to the low calorie content. The vegetable has mild laxative and diuretic properties, due to which the body is cleansed of slagging. Antioxidants remove excess salt and liquid, as a result of which puffiness disappears. Even if you adhere to a strict diet, you will not torment the body with a lack of vitamins, cabbage will make up for the missing valuable elements. Tartronic acid promotes the rapid breakdown of fat and prevents the formation of hated folds at the waist.
7. For men's sexual health. Cabbage is valued by representatives of the strong half of humanity, because it increases libido and potency. Regular consumption of pickled vegetables makes a man more attractive in the eyes of a woman. Also, the vegetable increases blood flow to the genitals, controls the activity of the prostate gland. If you eat cabbage at a dosage, the number of spermatozoa and their motility will increase. This quality is appreciated by couples who are faced with the problems of conceiving a child.
8. To fight a hangover. Cabbage juice effectively fights a hangover in the morning after a lingering fun. Brine contributes to the rapid decay of ethyl alcohol and its excretion from the body. Fresh cleanses the liver of toxic compounds, fights headaches and general malaise. The drink improves appetite, which is an indisputable advantage for those who can not eat in the morning after a feast.
9. To rejuvenate the body and skin. The consumption of pickled vegetables as food cleanses the body, promotes accelerated tissue regeneration at the cell level, favorably affects the liver and fills the voids in its structure. The accumulation of tocopherol and vitamin A makes the skin taut and healthy, eliminates the earthy tint, removes wrinkles. All this is achieved by increasing the production of collagen fibers.
10. For diabetics. Fiber, which is part of fermented cabbage, controls the insulin level. The vegetable is low in carbohydrates, which eliminates jumps in sugar and blood pressure. Against this background, the level of cholesterol is normalized, the risk of obesity and a set of extra pounds is reduced.
11. To improve the condition of hair and skin. Juice based on sauerkraut has been widely used in cosmetology. They wipe their skin to remove crimson spots from acne, get rid of acne and allergic rashes, improve complexion and eliminate small wrinkles. Juice is added to homemade hair masks in order to exclude alopecia (mass loss), dandruff, itching, dryness and excess fat. Often, cabbage fresh is used as a composition for wraps when there is an intensified fight against cellulite.
12. To normalize metabolic processes. Fermented vegetable and juice based on it increase metabolism, so that you can control your appetite. Cabbage enhances the secretion of gastric glands, a person eats correctly (by the hour, in small portions). The product is valuable for people seeking to lose weight or gain weight. In the first case, fat is not stored in prohibited places. In the second - food enters the body regularly in large or small portions (it all depends on the individual characteristics of the stomach).
13. For pregnant and lactating ladies. The opinion of experienced doctors about eating cabbage during pregnancy varies. However, all experts come to a unique solution - the juice from the vegetable saves from nausea in case of toxicosis, fights with vitamin deficiency in the mother, and controls mood. During lactation, girls should eat cabbage to improve the quality and fat content of milk.

Harm of sauerkraut

Vegetables are fermented in salt, it is this ingredient that harms the body with excessive consumption. As a result, flatulence and heartburn appear. Salt retains water, so a person often suffers from swelling of the limbs and face.

Sauerkraut is contraindicated in the following cases:

• pancreatitis
• ulcer of the duodenum, stomach;
• hypertension;
• tendency to the appearance of heartburn, flatulence;
• dyspepsia;
• increased acidity in the stomach;
• gallstone disease;
• diabetes (if cabbage is cooked with sugar);
• chronic gastritis in the acute stage;
• renal failure.

Pregnant and lactating girls should consume sauerkraut after prior consultation with a doctor. During lactation, the baby may suffer from colic.

The valuable qualities of sauerkraut are many times greater than the possible harm from eating food. A rich chemical list of elements prevents almost all existing human diseases. The first acquaintance with the dish needs to start with small portions in order to identify contraindications in time.

Video: classic sauerkraut recipe