Sauerkraut is a rich source of probiotics, vitamins and minerals, so it helps aid digestion, boosts immunity and may offer many other potential benefits.
1. Improve digestion
As a probiotic-rich food, sauerkraut helps diversify the beneficial bacterial environment already present in your gut, which can aid digestion.
Sauerkraut also contains digestive enzymes that help break down food and allow certain nutrients to be more easily absorbed. This also increases the amount of nutrients you get from other foods.
2. Protects against inflammation
Antioxidants help fight harmful compounds called free radicals, reducing inflammation. The compound indole-3 carbinol in sauerkraut also has anti-inflammatory benefits.
3. Regulate the immune system
By improving the gut microbiota (the gut microbiota, which includes both beneficial and harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) and the lining of the digestive tract, the probiotics in sauerkraut protect against foreign bacteria that can trigger an immune system response.
Probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut may help reduce your risk of getting sick from cold viruses or urinary tract infections.
The vitamin C content of sauerkraut may be higher than that of other similar vegetables, making this food a solid immune support food.
4. Reduce stress and maintain brain health
The probiotic content of sauerkraut supports a healthy gut microbiome, which can have a positive impact on balancing stress hormones, reducing stress levels, and promoting other aspects of brain health. Fermented foods like sauerkraut may help improve mood, memory, and symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
5. Build stronger bones
Vitamin K in sauerkraut helps mineralize bones, bringing calcium to the bones instead of building up in the arteries. Vitamin B also contributes to metabolic health, helping the body metabolize important nutrients to support strong bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
The fiber, magnesium, and calcium content in sauerkraut combine to build bone density, keeping bones strong.
6. May aid weight loss
This fermented food is high in fiber, which can help keep you fuller longer and with fewer calories.
Additionally, probiotics found in foods like sauerkraut may influence how the body interprets hunger signals, absorbs calories, and stores excess fat.
7. May promote heart health
The probiotics and fiber in sauerkraut may help lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. Additionally, the vitamin K in sauerkraut may play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease by preventing calcium buildup in the arteries.
