Sauerkraut, a form of fermented cabbage. Sauerkraut is a good source of fiber and essential nutrients, including iron, vitamin K and vitamin C. Fresh sauerkraut contains lactobacilli, beneficial bacteria that improve the functioning of the digestive tract and supporting your immune system .
The store bought sauerkraut had been heated to the point of elimination of good bacteria due to the canning process, but you can prepare this fermented food easily at your home.
Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
5 pounds shredded cabbage
2 tablespoons sea salt or pickling salt
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
DIRECTIONS:
-In a large bowl, mix cabbage with salt and caraway seeds and keep it for 10 minutes.
-Pack cabbage mixture into a glass food container. Top with a lid small enough to fit inside the container and place a sanitized glass jar filled with water on top of the lid to weigh it down.
-Place in a cool place overnight. Check to make sure the sauerkraut is completely submerged in liquid. Check cabbage every other day for 2 weeks, skimming off of any scum that may form on the surface.
-Let stand for at least 4 weeks total. Then store in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
Surprising Health Benefits Of Sauerkraut
Heart Health
The soluble fiber in cabbage binds with fats and cholesterol and carries them out of your body. Therefore, less cholesterol enters the bloodstream and your overall cholesterol level is balanced. This can prevent atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes, and a variety of other cardiovascular issues.
Cancer Prevention
Although research is still underway to reveal the exact impact of sauerkraut on cancerous cells, the presence of antioxidant compounds Isothiocyanate reduce activation of carcinogens and increase their detoxification. Diets high in sauerkraut have even been linked to lower cancer rates, though more research needs to be done to prove anything conclusively.
Improves Immune Function
Sauerkraut’s probiotics play a major role in regulating gut health. Beneficial bacteria can educate and support the immune system by controlling certain immune cells and preventing autoimmune reactions. Probiotics also control inflammation, which is a central feature of so many diseases.
Digestive Health
Cabbage contain high fiber, which is well known as one of the key points in any diet for the benefit of digestive health. Sauerkraut can help to move food through the bowels, eliminating constipation, bloating and excessive gas. By regulating your digestive system, you can also prevent more serious conditions, like gastric ulcers and even colon cancer.
Weight loss
Studies find intake of probiotic-rich foods with a lowered risk for obesity and easier weight loss. Consuming fermented foods boosts your metabolism and the results of the study showed that eating sauerkraut regularly can affect obesity, lipid metabolism and inflammatory processes in the body.
Sources:
– http://draxe.com/recipe/sauerkraut-recipe/
– https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/sauerkraut.html
– http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02021/Dr-Weil-Savoring-Sauerkraut.html
– http://www.youngandraw.com/fermented-foods-can-heal-your-gut-and-make-your-skin-glow/
