The benefits and harm of sauerkraut for the body

Sauerkraut is widely popular among the Russian population. It is served on a festive or casual table as a national dish along with pickles. Experienced housewives alter the classic recipe, preparing the cabbage on its own technology. Most often, apples, carrots, cumin, cranberries or greens are added to the composition. Sauerkraut has an undeniable benefit to the human body, but it can also harm.

Chemical composition and value of elements

1. Cabbage is rich in ascorbic acid, its excess in the product. Vitamin C has a beneficial effect on the entire body. In particular, it supports the immune system at a high level. Ascorbic strengthens the vascular walls, cleans the blood channels, promotes the rapid absorption of iron.
2. Vitamin C is one of the indispensable vitamins for humans.It must be ingested daily with food in order to fulfill its function. Sauerkraut copes with this fully, at 100 grams. product accounts for 69-70 mg. ascorbic acid. This number is the daily rate for an adult person.
3. Cabbage pickle is also rich in bioflavonoids, vitamins of various groups, and antioxidants. All this together protects the internal organs from inflammation and the formation of cancer cells.
4. Sauerkraut includes micro and macronutrients, pectin, inulin, dietary fiber (in particular fiber), organic acids, poly and monosaccharides. These compounds are necessary to remove decay products, radionuclides, as well as the normalization of the digestive system.
5. Generally speaking, the fermented vegetable contains tocopherol and retinol, which have a beneficial effect on the skin and hair. In cabbage there is thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, vitamins U, K, H.
6. With regard to macro - and microelements, emit the following: chromium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, potassium. Also cabbage includes iodine, magnesium, copper.
7. Such a chemical list of elements allows you to saturate the body with all the necessary elements. At the same time you do not harm health, do not gain extra pounds.

Calorie 100 grams. product ranges from 23 to 25 Kcal., it all depends on the additional components in the dish.

The benefits of sauerkraut

1. For the gastrointestinal tract. It is helpful for people with a healthy gastrointestinal tract to use sauerkraut in order to prevent duodenal ulcer and stomach ulcer. This feature is achieved by the input of vitamin U, which is responsible for the normalization of acid balance and the protection of mucous membranes. Dietary fiber, namely fiber, is responsible for the rapid absorption of beneficial enzymes into the blood. From here the metabolism accelerates, the food is assimilated faster and does not ferment in the intestine.
2. For the prevention of cancer. Sauerkraut has participated in oncology research more than once. It has been proven that regular consumption of the product suppresses the rapid division of cancer cells and blocks the access of blood to existing tumors.The valuable substances contained in the product are aimed at combating cancer of the mammary glands, the intestines, and the lungs.
3. For the vascular system and the heart. The advantage of sauerkraut is to reduce cholesterol levels. Vegetable based juice prophylactic atherosclerosis, cardiac ischemia and tachycardia. Especially prized cabbage men, who more often than women suffer from heart disease (heart attack, stroke). Regular use of the product strengthens the vascular walls and normalizes heart rhythm.
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, increases resistance to stress, nervous disorders. 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 askorbinki allows you to maintain the protective functions of the body at a high mark.This property is especially appreciated by people with low immunity, who constantly get sick in the periods between seasons and with the spread of ARVI, flu, ORZ. Incoming vitamins will save you from vitamin deficiency, give strength and vitality. Cabbage juice removes mucus from the respiratory tract during bronchitis, cures inflammations of the throat, reduces body temperature during fever.
6. For weight loss. Sauerkraut refers to dietary salads because of its low calorie content. Vegetable has mild laxative and diuretic properties, due to which the body is cleaned from slagging. Antioxidants remove excess salt and fluid, causing swelling to disappear. Even if you follow a strict diet, you will not torture the body with a lack of vitamins, cabbage will fill up the missing valuable elements. Tartronic acid contributes to the rapid breakdown of fat and prevents the formation of hated folds at the waist.
7. For the sexual health of men. Cabbage is appreciated by the 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 metered, the number of spermatozoa and their mobility will increase. This quality is appreciated by couples who are faced with the problems of conceiving a child.
8. To combat the hangover. Cabbage juice effectively fights a hangover in the morning after a long fun. Brine contributes to the rapid disintegration of ethyl alcohol and its removal from the body. Fresh cleanses the liver of toxic compounds, fights headaches and general malaise. Drink improves appetite, which is an undeniable advantage for those who can not eat in the morning after a feast.
9. For rejuvenation of the body and skin. Consumption of sour vegetables in food cleanses the body, promotes accelerated tissue regeneration at the cell level, a positive effect on 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 tone, 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. Vegetable contains little carbohydrates, thereby eliminating sugar jumps and blood pressure. Against this background, cholesterol levels are normalized, the risk of obesity and a set of extra kilograms is reduced.
11. To improve the condition of hair and skin. Juice based on sauerkraut has found wide application in cosmetology. They wipe the skin of the face to remove the purple spots from acne, get rid of acne and allergic rashes, improve the complexion and eliminate wrinkles. The juice is added to homemade hair masks in order to eliminate 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 increases metabolism, so you can control your appetite. Cabbage increases the secretion of gastric glands, a person eats properly (by the hour, in small portions). The product has value for people seeking to lose weight or gain weight.In the first case, fat is not stored in the forbidden 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 women. Opinion experienced doctors about the use of cabbage in food during pregnancy varies. However, all experts come to the only solution - the juice from the vegetable saves from nausea during toxicosis, struggles with vitamin deficiency in the mother, controls mood. Girls during lactation should eat cabbage to improve the quality and fat content of milk.

Harm of sauerkraut

The vegetable is fermented in salt, it is this ingredient that causes harm to the body if it is consumed excessively. The result is flatulence and heartburn. Salt retains water, so a person often suffers from swelling of the limbs and face.

Sauerkraut is contraindicated in the following cases:

• pancreatitis;
• duodenal ulcer, 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.

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

Video: classic sauerkraut recipe