Sauerkraut is chock-full of vitamin C, vitamin K, iron and probiotics.
Image Credit: derketta/iStock/GettyImages Fermented foods are highly prized for their medicinal-type properties. Rich in beneficial yeasts and lactic acid bacteria, they support gut health and digestive function. Kombucha, kefir, natto and fermented soybeans are used as food and medicine worldwide.
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Tip Clinical research supports the health benefits of sauerkraut, which include better digestion, weight loss and improved mental health, among other aspects.
What Is Sauerkraut? This popular food has been around for about 2,000 years and can be found in just about every culture of the world. Its name means “sour cabbage” in German. Thousands of sauerkraut recipes exist today, from Russian sauerkraut salad and sauerkraut pickled with carrots to baked sauerkraut and apples. But did you know that this superfood is a powerhouse of nutrition?
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Sauerkraut is made by fermenting shredded cabbage with lactobacillus bacteria. Basically, you must combine cabbage with salt in an airtight container and let it ferment for several months. Add spices, cranberries, beets, caraway seeds or shredded carrots, if desired. Fermentation by live bacteria takes place naturally.
Read more: The Benefits of Fermented Foods and 5 DIY Recipes
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According to a 2014 analysis published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine, this functional food provides high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K and lactic acid. It exhibits anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties, leading to better health and well-being. Beware, though, that sauerkraut may cause allergic reactions and should be consumed with caution, especially by people with seasonal allergies.
Warning Sauerkraut is rich in histamine and may cause adverse reactions in those who are prone to allergies. Sauerkraut Nutrition Facts Touted as a superfood, sauerkraut is low in calories and loaded with beneficial nutrients. It’s an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, selenium, manganese and folate. With its high fiber content, it promotes digestive health and keeps you regular. One cup provides:
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27 calories 1.3 grams of protein 6.6 grams of carbohydrate 4.1 grams of fiber 0.2 gram of fat 35 percent of the DV (daily value) of vitamin C 23 percent of the DV of vitamin K 9 percent of the DV of folate 1 percent of the DV of vitamin A 12 percent of the DV of iron 11 percent of the DV of manganese 7 percent of the DV of copper 4 percent of the DV of calcium 39 percent of the DV of sodium
Vitamin C, one of the most abundant compounds in sauerkraut, protects against infections and oxidative stress, according to a 2017 review featured in the journal Nutrients. It may also speed up post-workout recovery and shorten the duration of common cold episodes. The vitamin K in sauerkraut plays a vital role in bone health and may help prevent osteoporosis and heart disease.
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The health benefits of sauerkraut are largely thanks to its probiotic content. According to a 2018 research paper published in Frontiers in Microbiology, this fermented food boasts trillions of live bacteria that restore the gut flora, destroy pathogens and prevent diseases. The gut has a direct impact on your immune system, brain function, mood and emotions. A diet rich in sauerkraut and other fermented foods will keep your gut healthy and boost your natural defenses.
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Discover the Benefits of Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is one of the best dietary sources of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis and Lu. mesenteroides. These live microorganisms can boost brainpower and cognition, according to a 2016 review published in Preventive Nutrition and Food Science. The beneficial bacteria in fermented foods fight inflammation and produce fatty acids with neuroprotective effects. They also protect your brain from oxidative damage and modulate the release of serotonin, GABA, BDNF and other neurotransmitters.
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These findings show that fermented foods have a positive impact on your mood and brain health. In fact, researchers at the College of William & Mary have found that probiotics, especially those in fermented products, may positively alter the gut flora and ward off social anxiety. This could be due to their ability to increase the levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter with antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects.
Read more: 13 Surprising and Beneficial Probiotic Foods
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Sauerkraut is also rich in phytochemicals that promote optimal health. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are well-documented. According to a 2017 research paper published in the journal Current Opinion in Biotechnology, fermentation enhances the conversion of flavonoids and other polyphenols to biologically active compounds that protect against oxidative stress. At the same time, it increases the bioavailability of certain amino acids and B vitamins.
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Eat Sauerkraut for Better Digestion
You’ve probably seen those TV commercials saying that yogurt aids in digestion and prevents constipation. Yogurt is a fermented food — just like sauerkraut. Both products keep your digestive system running smoothly thanks to their probiotic content. The lactic acid bacteria in these foods improve digestive function and may lower your risk of colorectal cancer. Sauerkraut is particularly beneficial for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD). In a 2015 clinical trial published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, IBS patients who took probiotics reported less-severe abdominal pain, reduced bloating and better quality of life. Their symptoms improved significantly. These microorganisms decrease gut permeability and alter the microbiota, which in turn, may relieve IBS. Read more: 7 Signs Your Gut Is Out of Whack Another study, which appeared in Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology in 2014, confirms the beneficial effects of probiotics in IBD management. These live bacteria strains may help prevent ulcerative colitis flare-ups and maintain remission. Sauerkraut may also stimulate bowel movements and keep you regular thanks to its high fiber content. Both fiber and probiotics benefit digestive health. Tip Serve sauerkraut as a side dish; mix it in salads; experiment with sauerkraut recipes from all over the world to reap its benefits. Sauerkraut Aids in Weight Loss This functional food isn’t just healthy but also low in calories. One cup of sauerkraut has fewer calories than the same amount of fresh spinach, carrots or apples. Plus, it’s a good source of fiber, which promotes satiety and inhibits hunger. The probiotics in cabbage may help with weight loss too. According to a 2015 study published in the journal Obesity, certain probiotic strains, especially those in the Lactobacillus genus, may prevent weight gain and fat accumulation. These beneficial bacteria may also reduce body fat mass and balance the hormones that influence appetite. Warning Due to its high sodium content, this functional food may cause water retention and raise blood pressure. Sauerkraut — like most fermented foods — is quite high in sodium and may cause fluid retention. The number on the scale might go up after you eat sour cabbage or pickles. However, this doesn’t mean you’ve gained weight — it simply means that your body is retaining water. Excess sodium also increases blood pressure, which may affect cardiovascular health.
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references
Frontiers in Microbiology: Diversity of Microorganisms in Global Fermented Foods and Beverages
NCBI: Global Advances in Health and Medicine: Regular Consumption of Sauerkraut and Its Effect on Human Health: A Bibliometric Analysis
SELFNutritionData: Canned Sauerkraut
MDPI: Nutrients: Vitamin C and Infections
University of Michigan Health System: Vitamin C
BMJ Open Heart: The Health Benefits of Vitamin K
Frontiers in Microbiology: Fermented Foods as a Dietary Source of Live Organisms
NYU Langone Medical Center: Your Gut Feeling: A Healthier Digestive System Means a Healthier You
NCBI: Preventive Nutrition and Food Science: A Review of Fermented Foods With Beneficial Effects on Brain and Cognitive Function
College of William & Mary: It’s Not All in Your Head — It’s in Your Gut, Too
ScienceDirect: Fermented Foods in Health and Disease Prevention: Chapter 24 - Sauerkraut: Production, Composition and Health Benefits
Hindawi: Biotechnology Research International: Fermented Fruits and Vegetables of Asia: A Potential Source of Probiotics
World Journal of Gastroenterology: Effectiveness of Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Dovepress: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Nutritionix: 1 Cup Spinach
USDA FoodData Central: Carrots, Raw
USDA FoodData Central: Apples, Raw, With Skin
ScienceDirect: Trends in Food Science & Technology: Optimising Foods for Satiety
Wiley Online Library: Obesity: Probiotic Supplementation Attenuates Increases in Body Mass and Fat Mass During High‐Fat Diet in Healthy Young Adults
Cambridge University Press: British Journal of Nutrition: Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 Supplementation on Weight Loss and Maintenance in Obese Men and Women
World Action on Salt & Health: Water Retention
references
Frontiers in Microbiology: Diversity of Microorganisms in Global Fermented Foods and Beverages
NCBI: Global Advances in Health and Medicine: Regular Consumption of Sauerkraut and Its Effect on Human Health: A Bibliometric Analysis
SELFNutritionData: Canned Sauerkraut
MDPI: Nutrients: Vitamin C and Infections
University of Michigan Health System: Vitamin C
BMJ Open Heart: The Health Benefits of Vitamin K
Frontiers in Microbiology: Fermented Foods as a Dietary Source of Live Organisms
NYU Langone Medical Center: Your Gut Feeling: A Healthier Digestive System Means a Healthier You
NCBI: Preventive Nutrition and Food Science: A Review of Fermented Foods With Beneficial Effects on Brain and Cognitive Function
College of William & Mary: It’s Not All in Your Head — It’s in Your Gut, Too
ScienceDirect: Fermented Foods in Health and Disease Prevention: Chapter 24 - Sauerkraut: Production, Composition and Health Benefits
Hindawi: Biotechnology Research International: Fermented Fruits and Vegetables of Asia: A Potential Source of Probiotics
World Journal of Gastroenterology: Effectiveness of Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Dovepress: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Nutritionix: 1 Cup Spinach
USDA FoodData Central: Carrots, Raw
USDA FoodData Central: Apples, Raw, With Skin
ScienceDirect: Trends in Food Science & Technology: Optimising Foods for Satiety
Wiley Online Library: Obesity: Probiotic Supplementation Attenuates Increases in Body Mass and Fat Mass During High‐Fat Diet in Healthy Young Adults
Cambridge University Press: British Journal of Nutrition: Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 Supplementation on Weight Loss and Maintenance in Obese Men and Women
World Action on Salt & Health: Water Retention
Sauerkraut is chock-full of vitamin C, vitamin K, iron and probiotics.
Image Credit: derketta/iStock/GettyImages
Image Credit: derketta/iStock/GettyImages
Clinical research supports the health benefits of sauerkraut, which include better digestion, weight loss and improved mental health, among other aspects.
Sauerkraut is rich in histamine and may cause adverse reactions in those who are prone to allergies.
Serve sauerkraut as a side dish; mix it in salads; experiment with sauerkraut recipes from all over the world to reap its benefits.
Due to its high sodium content, this functional food may cause water retention and raise blood pressure.
Frontiers in Microbiology: Diversity of Microorganisms in Global Fermented Foods and Beverages
NCBI: Global Advances in Health and Medicine: Regular Consumption of Sauerkraut and Its Effect on Human Health: A Bibliometric Analysis
SELFNutritionData: Canned Sauerkraut
MDPI: Nutrients: Vitamin C and Infections
University of Michigan Health System: Vitamin C
BMJ Open Heart: The Health Benefits of Vitamin K
Frontiers in Microbiology: Fermented Foods as a Dietary Source of Live Organisms
NYU Langone Medical Center: Your Gut Feeling: A Healthier Digestive System Means a Healthier You
NCBI: Preventive Nutrition and Food Science: A Review of Fermented Foods With Beneficial Effects on Brain and Cognitive Function
College of William & Mary: It’s Not All in Your Head — It’s in Your Gut, Too
ScienceDirect: Fermented Foods in Health and Disease Prevention: Chapter 24 - Sauerkraut: Production, Composition and Health Benefits
Hindawi: Biotechnology Research International: Fermented Fruits and Vegetables of Asia: A Potential Source of Probiotics
World Journal of Gastroenterology: Effectiveness of Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Dovepress: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Nutritionix: 1 Cup Spinach
USDA FoodData Central: Carrots, Raw
USDA FoodData Central: Apples, Raw, With Skin
ScienceDirect: Trends in Food Science & Technology: Optimising Foods for Satiety
Wiley Online Library: Obesity: Probiotic Supplementation Attenuates Increases in Body Mass and Fat Mass During High‐Fat Diet in Healthy Young Adults
Cambridge University Press: British Journal of Nutrition: Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus CGMCC1.3724 Supplementation on Weight Loss and Maintenance in Obese Men and Women
World Action on Salt & Health: Water Retention
