We can safely say that sauerkraut is the national dish of the Russian people. But few people know that much earlier than in Russia, they learned to ferment this vegetable in other countries. For example, in China and Japan. Interestingly, the first mention of this dish was found in ancient chronicles from the time of the construction of the Great Wall of China. True, the recipe of Asians was very different from ours, it included white wine. To date, all dietitians in the world are praising this product in every possible way.

And this is not surprising, because it contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals.

Useful and medicinal properties of sauerkraut

For example, such a cabbage contains a huge amount of vitamin C. Even 10 grams of this product contains about 2 milligrams of this useful vitamin. Thanks to this, cabbage strengthens the immune system and prevents the aging of tissues and cells.

In addition, sauerkraut contains a lot of vitamin A, vitamins K and U, as well as B vitamins.
Due to this rich composition, the regular use of this product is the prevention of various diseases of the intestines and stomach, including gastric or duodenal ulcers.
There is a lot of iodine in such cabbage, which is very useful for the work of various organs.

As you know, special sour-milk bacteria ferment cabbage. When they enter the intestines from the product, they improve the functioning of the intestines, suppress the harmful microflora, normalize the beneficial microflora and eliminate dysbacteriosis. As a result, the feeling of discomfort disappears and the general well-being of a person improves.

Also, as a medicine, sauerkraut is used to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of gastritis, especially chronic, as well as to treat this disease.

To prevent gastritis, doctors recommend eating sauerkraut three times a day before each main meal. A fairly small portion of this vegetable seasoned with sunflower or olive oil. You need to stay at least three weeks. And it's best to make a new habit and enjoy this salad all the time. This is especially useful for people suffering from diabetes. After all, sauerkraut effectively reduces the amount of sugar in the blood.

For pregnant

For pregnant girls, sauerkraut is especially useful. True, it must be consumed in moderation, because this product is high in sodium. Canned sauerkraut is especially rich in this substance. Excess salt from this product can cause high blood pressure.

In the very last months of pregnancy, a woman's body produces additional red blood cells, which are necessary for the normal development of the fetus. It is very dangerous if at the same time she has a lack of iron, which can lead to anemia with such unpleasant symptoms as feeling constantly tired, weak and feeling unwell. Just sauerkraut will help a pregnant girl to avoid such consequences. 200 ml of this product contains almost 2 milligrams of iron. For the body of the expectant mother, it is necessary to receive about 30 milligrams per day. Therefore, sauerkraut is recommended to be added to salads and other dishes.

American scientists have proven that children whose mothers ate this product are the least at risk of developing cancer. And besides, like many other vegetables, it contains special antioxidants that "know how" to neutralize free radicals in the human body that cause cancer. It is equally beneficial to the health of both the woman herself and the fetus.

For example, it helps to cope with all sorts of problems of the digestive system. If any products cause increased gas formation in the expectant mother, then you just need to eat sauerkraut with them. It contains prebiotics, which contribute to normal human digestion, and also remove harmful bacteria from the intestines.

One serving of sauerkraut contains more than three grams of fiber, which heals the digestive system and also regulates bowel function.

It also contains folic acid. This is a nutrient that every mother-to-be needs to get enough. After all, it is she who prevents many birth defects of the fetus, for example, spina bifida. It also promotes proper DNA development and healthy cell division.

For men

It is very useful to regularly consume sauerkraut for the stronger sex. Scientists have proven that if you eat this product every day, then a man will be able to not only significantly increase potency, but also maintain it for many years. And older men can use it as a safe drug to restore their sexual abilities.

Sauerkraut juice (brine)

Most often, for medical purposes or as a cosmetic product, not sauerkraut itself is used, but its juice, or rather, brine.

Benefits for the face

In order to rejuvenate the face, make the skin supple, healthy, beautiful and elastic, you can prepare a cabbage-egg mask with your own hands. To do this, three tablespoons of brine are mixed with one egg white, beaten to a strong foam. The ingredients must be very thoroughly mixed until smooth and applied to the face, décolleté and neck. After 15-20 minutes, the mask is washed off with water at room temperature. It is also used to prepare a face mask, our other article will tell about this.

For weight loss

Girls really like sauerkraut also because it actively promotes weight loss. This product contains few calories, so it can be safely consumed in large quantities, without being afraid to get better and without suffering from severe hunger.

With pancreatitis

But with pancreatitis, on the contrary, it is recommended to use it very carefully. It strongly irritates the mucous membrane, therefore, with inflammation of the pancreas, it can only worsen the patient's condition. It is best to completely abandon its use or to bring the amount of this product in the diet to a minimum.

How many calories are in sauerkraut?

The product in question contains less than 20 kilocalories per 100 grams. Even if you fill the salad with any vegetable oil, for example, sunflower, then in 100 grams of this dish you will still get a minimum of calories - about 50. Therefore, such a salad can be eaten even on a strict diet, especially since it is tasty and satisfies hunger well.

It is important to note that this product has a so-called "negative" calorie content. This means that the body spends much more on digesting this dish than it receives from it.

Are there any contraindications?

Despite the fact that sauerkraut is a very useful product for adults and children, it still has some contraindications. Although it is recommended to use it for ulcers of the duodenum and stomach, during a severe exacerbation of these diseases, it is better to refuse sauerkraut.
A vegetable prepared in this way is also forbidden to anyone who has an increased acidity of gastric juice.
It is contraindicated in diseases of the pancreas, any problems with the thyroid gland, hypertension (because it contains too many organic acids), kidney failure and gallstones.

Of course, if a person with any of the listed diseases really wants to treat himself to his favorite product, despite contraindications, then you don’t need to deny yourself this, you just need to properly prepare sauerkraut in advance.

For example, you can bake it with meat, fish or chicken in the oven. Heat treatment will eliminate all its possible negative consequences for the body weakened by the disease. You can also add a vegetable to a salad of fresh vegetables, if you first thoroughly wash and soak from the brine in ordinary clean water. Another way out is to initially prepare this product, deviating a little from the recipe, or rather adding as little salt as possible to it. True, the taste of ready-made sauerkraut will noticeably suffer from this.
In addition, additional ingredients will reduce its harmful effects on the body in these diseases. For example, you can add cabbage to a vegetable platter. An excellent dish in this case is a vinaigrette. Sauerkraut will need very little, and it will perfectly complement the taste of the dish.

Video about useful properties

Fermentation - preservation, the basis of which is the fermentation of vegetables. Preservation occurs with the help of lactic acid, which is produced by lactic acid bacteria. It is unlikely that our distant ancestors knew about this. But every autumn, starting from mid-October, both in the old days and in our days, everyone sauerkraut. There is even a day on the calendar - Sergey kapustnik, falls on the eighth of October.

There are a large number of sauerkraut recipes, the taste of sauerkraut is different for each housewife, but the beneficial properties are the same. Properly fermented cabbage is well stored from autumn to spring, and if the cellar is cold, then until summer. To obtain different tastes, different vegetables and fruits are added to it: apples, cranberries, carrots, beets. Dry spices: dill seed, cumin also add their own notes to the taste of ready-made cabbage.

Cooking sauerkraut is not difficult. The taste will depend to a greater extent on the variety of white cabbage. It is better to use late varieties suitable for salting.

For two or three heads of medium size, you will need three carrots, coarse salt, not iodized. Chop cabbage, grate carrots, salt to taste and grind everything well in a basin. Put in a saucepan, press down with oppression. After a few days, the fermentation process will begin in the cabbage, it will need to be pierced, opened for ventilation. When the gurgling in the cabbage stops, the juice will become transparent, it is ready for use. And in this article we will consider

Compound

The benefits of any product are determined by its composition, cabbage contains:

1. Vitamins.
2. Bioflavonoids.
3. A nicotinic acid.
4. Methylomethonine.
5. Complex carbohydrates.

Cabbage is rich in vitamins, most of all it contains vitamin C. The human body does not produce it, so the vitamin must come from consumed foods. It affects the state of the cardiovascular system, the normal functioning of the liver, blood production, and the state of the immune system.

For good absorption of vitamin C, bioflavonoids are required. In cabbage, they are represented in sufficient quantities by vitamin P. Thanks to bioflavonoids, the process of assimilation of oxygen by human tissues is underway.

It is enough to add 100 gm of sauerkraut in the form of a salad for lunch or dinner, and a person will be provided with vitamins C, P for the whole day.

Sauerkraut, its juice, sources of vitamins: A, E, H, K, nicotinic acid, methylomethionine. Methylomethionine - vitamin U, protector of the gastric mucosa.

Starch, fiber, pectins, organic acids are complex carbohydrates found in sauerkraut. They contribute to normal digestion, the removal of toxins, and can serve as protection against the occurrence of malignant neoplasms.

Useful properties of sauerkraut

There are a number of useful qualities of cabbage that have a good effect on the organs of the human body, such as:

• Digestion.
• Heart, vessels.
• endocrine system.
• Immune system.
• nervous system.

Digestion

The main organs that perform the functions of digestion in the body:

• Stomach
• Intestines

The use of sauerkraut has a slight laxative effect, promotes the development of beneficial intestinal microflora, and causes appetite. It is recommended to include it in the diet for people with a diagnosis of gastritis with low acidity, hemorrhoids, chronic constipation.

The effect of sauerkraut on the heart, blood vessels

Sauerkraut is a good prophylactic against diseases of the heart and blood vessels. The high fiber content contributes to the removal of bad cholesterol, and this leads to the health of blood vessels. Reduces the likelihood of atherosclerosis.

Diseases of the endocrine system

A common disease is diabetes mellitus. People with such diseases are forced to adhere to a diet. Sauerkraut is allowed to be included in their diet. The main preservative in fermentation is lactic acid. It works well on the pancreas. Sauerkraut, having a low calorie content, reduces the feeling of hunger for a long time. This helps to normalize weight, which is important for patients with diabetes.

Strengthening the immune system

Eating cabbage, vitamins included in it, strengthen the immune system. There is a chance not to get SARS. Unlucky, sick, cabbage can act as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory agent. Juice diluted with water is a good gargle for a sore throat.

Nervous system

If you regularly consume sauerkraut, the body will receive vitamins of group B in sufficient quantities. The body can more easily tolerate excessive emotional stress and stress. Frequent headache, insomnia, poor memory are a sign of a lack of these vitamins. Eating cabbage will help get rid of them.

Sauerkraut treatment

Some diseases can be treated with sauerkraut and its juice.

Treatment of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma can be: hereditary, allergic, infectious. Symptoms: cough, heavy breathing, frequent suffocation. Explained by bronchial spasms.

Folk recipe for the treatment of bronchial asthma: daily norm of half a kilogram of sauerkraut, chopped onion head, small size, garlic clove.

Treatment of hemorrhoids

A sedentary lifestyle leads to stagnation in the pelvic organs, frequent constipation. The consequence of this is pathological changes in the rectum, the appearance of hemorrhoids. You can relieve inflammation, reduce pain, if you apply a medical napkin soaked in sauerkraut juice. In addition, drink a glass of brine. One in the morning, the other in the evening.

Sexual dysfunction

If from the transferred stress, taking antibiotics, frequent alcohol consumption, a man has problems in the sexual sphere. Sauerkraut may help. It is necessary to eat about 300 gm daily.

Stones in the gallbladder

In case of metabolic disorders, malnutrition, the presence of chronic diseases, stones can form in the gallbladder, bile ducts. To alleviate the condition, you can drink half a glass of sauerkraut juice before each meal.

Avitaminosis

In the absence of good nutrition, beriberi can develop. Its symptoms:

• Headache
• The gums are bleeding
• Non-healing cracked lips
• Frequent SARS

From bleeding helps rinsing with brine, prolonged chewing of cabbage. To replenish the missing vitamins, eat freshly prepared salads with sauerkraut every day. Before eating, drink half a glass of brine.

Get rid of worms

The presence of worms in the human body leads to weight loss, the appearance of excessive irritability, frequent dizziness. Sauerkraut will help to bring them out, you need to eat it at least 200 gm, and separately from other food.

Benefits of sauerkraut juice

All the beneficial substances present in cabbage are also in its juice, only in greater concentrations. You can get more juice by chopping cabbage and then squeezing it.

Benefits for Women

Any woman can use cabbage for cosmetic purposes. Cabbage will help lighten the skin, get rid of age spots on the hands, face.

Making a mask out of it is not difficult.. Grind the cabbage very finely, keep it on your face for about 12 minutes. Cleanse face, rinse with warm water. This procedure tones, reduces wrinkles, slightly brightens the skin.

Having oily skin use a slightly different recipe with the addition of protein and starch. The essence is the same. Keep for 10 minutes, then rinse. Oily sheen will decrease, pores will narrow.

Dry skin mask will help: 2 tbsp. l. chopped sauerkraut mixed with one yolk, 1 tsp. sunflower oil. Keep the mixture for 12 minutes. Rinse with warm water only. To eliminate the feeling of tightness of the skin, apply a face cream.

Hair health

A mask is useful for hair roots: brine one part, honey one part, mix well. Rub into hair roots, wash off after half an hour. For the best effect, put on a shower cap, wrap your head with a towel.

Benefits for men

Men should eat sauerkraut. It will only bring benefits. Physical and mental activity will increase. A small amount of calories will eliminate the possibility of obesity. Good bowel function will prevent the development of hemorrhoids.

For weight loss

For people involved in weight loss, the properties of sauerkraut will come in handy. Its ability to speed up metabolism, improve bowel function, leads to weight loss. There are few calories in cabbage. You can not limit its quantity. It is digested for a long time, so the feeling of satiety does not disappear for a long time.

You do not need to go on a complex diet, it is enough to exclude starchy foods and sweets from the diet. There are salads with sauerkraut. The weight will gradually go away. Juice can also be used for weight loss. Drink a quarter cup before meals.

Contraindications, possible harm

Juice and cabbage are forbidden to be used by people who are in the acute stage of diseases:

• gastritis
• Peptic ulcer of the stomach
• Kidney
• The gallbladder and its ducts.
• pancreatitis.

There are diseases in the presence of which, doctors do not recommend the use of sauerkraut and its juice, this is with such diseases as:

• Excess flatulence
• Gastritis with high acidity.
• Hypertension.
• Heart disease causing edema.

Not always the acids and salts contained in sauerkraut and juice can be beneficial. Even a healthy person should assess his well-being, moderately eat any food. To soften the action of acids, cabbage should be seasoned with sunflower oil, squeezed out the brine.

Video recipe for sauerkraut - simple and healthy

Regularly, eating sauerkraut in reasonable amounts, you can prevent the occurrence of diseases caused by a lack of vitamins.

This dish is very simple, but so delicious! That is why it is very popular. Among cold appetizers, many prefer sauerkraut. Its benefits as a hangover remedy are known to all. But what else does such a homemade delicacy bring to health?

A synonym for health is sauerkraut!

This is such a familiar and affordable product that many do not even think, but what are the health benefits and harms of sauerkraut? Alternative medicine ascribes universal healing qualities to it and advises its use for any ailments. It is believed that such a product treats almost everything: from a common cold to such serious ailments as asthma and even epilepsy.

And all thanks to the unique chemical composition of cabbage. This is a real multivitamin. Just one spoonful of cabbage will supply the body with a daily portion of vitamin K, and 150 g of such a product is enough to fill a person’s daily need for vitamin C. It also contains other vitamins - B, A, PP, E, H, U. All of them are extremely necessary for our health.

Sauerkraut contains nicotinic acid, magnesium, iron, zinc, as well as potassium and iodine. It is rich in fiber, therefore it promotes the digestive process, improves the intestinal microflora and can serve as an ulcer prevention. In the process of fermentation, cabbage is enriched with acids - acetic and lactic. The latter is able to eliminate E. coli and other dangerous bacteria.

A juicy crunchy snack has an excellent taste and at the same time charges the body with health, as it has a versatile effect on all organs and systems.

Important! The larger the cabbage for sourdough is cut, the more healing substances it will retain. sya.

And this is not a complete list of the benefits of sauerkraut. Not only she, but also her juice is distinguished by healing abilities. It eliminates dehydration. The most famous property of cabbage juice is that it helps to eliminate a hangover.

The brine contains many vitamins and healing elements. It is an excellent tonic, effective anthelmintic, choleretic agent and a safe aphrodisiac. The healing drink contains antioxidants, so its use will help delay aging and prevent the development of malignant neoplasms. It helps with low blood pressure. It can be used as a mouthwash for sore throats.

Not only heals, but also slims!

Many weight loss diets include sauerkraut. What is its benefit and harm for those who struggle with kilograms? This is a low-calorie product that has a bright taste and an abundance of vitamins. In a 100-gram serving, there are only 20 Kcal, that is, even if you use cabbage in large quantities, you will not get better. But if you add vegetable oil, the energy value of the product will double.

Although this product enhances the desire to eat, it is recommended for those who lose weight, as it creates a feeling of satiety for a long time, normalizes metabolic processes, and removes toxins from the body. This dish contains fiber, so it will take a lot of time and calories for the body to digest it.

Important! You can only lose weight on sauerkraut. Marinated for such purposes is not suitable, as it contains sugar, acetic acid, spices, vegetable oil and other unnecessary additives!

Brine has the ability to break down body fat, so it will also come in handy for those who have declared war on extra pounds.

When you have to say "no!" appetizing snack?

The benefits of sauerkraut are very great, but there are sins behind this product. Not everyone can eat it.

Contraindications and restrictions on the use of sauerkraut:

• increased acidity of the gastric secretion;
• pancreatic diseases;
• reflux esophagitis;
• exacerbation of gastritis;
• kidney failure;
• calculi in the gallbladder and condition after removal of this organ;
• ulcer;
• hypertension;
• lactation period (this snack can cause intestinal colic in a baby);
• a tendency to flatulence and heartburn (with such problems it is necessary to limit the use of the product).

The harmful properties of cabbage are due to the fact that it contains salt. In order for people suffering from the listed ailments to be able to use it, it is necessary to ferment cabbage according to recipes that do not involve the use of such an ingredient. The taste, of course, will be somewhat different, but you don’t have to worry about adverse reactions. There is another option: if you really want to taste salted cabbage, then first you need to thoroughly rinse it from the brine.

And healthy people should not overeat with such pickles and eat it on an empty stomach. Excessive consumption of sauerkraut can cause bloating.

Important! A special contraindication to the use of brine is severe heart disease. This drink leads to fluid retention, which can cause swelling.

- the best way to save cabbage. When cooking, half of the nutrients are destroyed, in particular, and. In sauerkraut, the amount increases significantly compared to fresh cabbage. How is sauerkraut prepared? For this process, white or red cabbage of late varieties is taken. It is not recommended to take early varieties, as it has very loose heads and low sugar content. Because of this, fermentation processes are much slower. Sauerkraut is prepared using a small amount of salt, about 25g of salt per kilogram of cabbage. Then it is left for two days to sour. At this time, a fermentation process takes place in it, where acids (acetic, lactic, malic) are formed, due to a complex of bacteria from fiber and carbohydrates. These acids provide a preservative effect and give the cabbage the taste of cabbage.

Useful properties of sauerkraut:

Sauerkraut contains folic, tartronic acid, and fiber. There are macro and microelements in it:,, and other elements. It also contains vitamins. Vitamin C is present in two types of cabbage: and ascorbinogen. In the period of vitamin deficiency (in winter and early spring), cabbage is an indispensable source of vitamins, amino acids, flavonoids and probiotics. Sauerkraut contains a lot of vitamin K, choline, and inositol. Of the organic acids, the largest amount of malic acid. Proper preparation of sauerkraut will help preserve vitamins from six months to eight months. calories in cabbage contained in small quantities. They are only 27 kcal per 100g of product. Therefore, cabbage is an ideal product for those who want to lose weight or arrange fasting days. Sauerkraut pickle is very useful. It contains those substances that prevent carbohydrates from turning into fat. It is well suited for those people who want to become slimmer and healthier. The beneficial and medicinal qualities of sauerkraut have long been known. Cabbage, rich in vitamins and elements, strengthens the immune system, increases the body's resistance to diseases and infections. Cabbage is useful during pregnancy, when toxicosis is tortured. You need to use cabbage brine once a day. Cabbage lowers blood sugar levels in diabetics. It contains the necessary amount of iodine. Eating sauerkraut helps to defeat the harmful microflora of the stomach that causes dysbacteriosis. Reduces the risk of colon, breast, lung and liver cancer, as well as heart disease. Improves digestion, due to lactic and acetic acid, which sanitize the intestinal cavity, removing pathogenic bacteria. Sauerkraut is also successfully used in cosmetology. Masks based on sauerkraut perfectly whiten the skin, saturate it with vitamins, make it soft and supple.

Contraindications to the use of sauerkraut:

Cabbage also has contraindications. If sauerkraut is very useful for some people, then for others it may simply be contraindicated. The acids that make up sauerkraut adversely affect the health of people with high acidity, patients with stomach or intestinal ulcers, kidney stones or gallbladder. Patients with diseases of the pancreas and liver are allowed to eat cabbage, but not sour and in reasonable quantities. With caution, it should be taken by people with hypertension and kidney disease, because cabbage contains a lot of salt. It is better to rinse the cabbage in water before eating.

Ever wondered why so many people love sauerkraut so much? Well, of course, precisely because of the huge benefits of sauerkraut for the body.

If you just rummage through the net, you can find a lot of various information about the benefits and dangers of sauerkraut, about its wonderful properties and about its praises. Residents of Russia and Belarus, Bulgaria and Germany, Poland and Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and many other not only European countries consider it their national dish.

Vitamins and nutrients in sauerkraut

In winter and early spring, when the summer and autumn supply of vitamins, macro- and microelements is used up, this tasty and healthy product comes to the rescue. What is one listing of vitamins and nutrients in sauerkraut:

• This and vitamins: PP, beta-carotene, A, B 1 (thiamine), B 2 (riboflavin), B 5 (pantothenic acid), B 6 (pyridoxine), B 9 (folic acid), C, E, H (biotin), K (phylloquinone), U (methylmethionine), PP (niacin equivalent), choline.
• And the basic necessary macronutrients: potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur.
• And trace elements: iron, zinc, iodine, copper, manganese, selenium, chromium, fluorine, molybdenum, boron, cobalt, aluminum, nickel.
• And organic acids- malic, gluconic, amber, chlorogenic, ferulic, coffee, tartron, formic, citric, etc.

In fresh cabbage, as in all vegetables, the content of vitamins decreases during long-term storage. What can not be said about vitamins and nutrients in sauerkraut.

Lactic acid and salt are good preservatives and allow you to save vitamins and nutrients of sauerkraut under appropriate storage conditions for up to 6-8 months.

Health benefits of sauerkraut

The benefits of sauerkraut for the body are not limited to the presence of these substances. By eating sauerkraut, you get, in addition to vitamins and trace elements, something that makes it healthier fresh - lactic acid - a product of lacto-fermentation or lactic acid fermentation.

It is this acid that normalization of intestinal microflora , prevents putrefactive processes and, together with fiber and pectin, improves peristalsis. The consequence of this is blood purification , since the main absorption of vital substances occurs in the intestine.

The useful ability of sauerkraut fiber is also important. adsorb and remove cholesterol, toxins and toxins . Here is a beneficial effect on the entire body through improvement of metabolic processes . And that's not all.

In winter and early spring, the benefits of sauerkraut for the body lies in the ability strengthen the immune system helping to resist colds. And this happens thanks to vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is not produced by the body, and can be stored in sauerkraut for a long time. Just 200 grams of sauerkraut contains the daily requirement of this vitamin.

Eating sauerkraut helps maintaining healthy nerves and raises stress tolerance . Even Pythagoras noted the ability of cabbage to maintain "vigor and a cheerful, calm mood."

This useful property is due to the presence of B vitamins - helpers and guardians of our nervous system. It is the amount of vitamins of this group in sauerkraut that exceeds that in fresh.

Sauerkraut, like fresh cabbage, is useful for the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum with low acidity, ulcerative colitis, gastritis with low acidity and intestinal lethargy. And all this thanks to vitamin U - methylmethionine. It was first isolated from cabbage, and for a long time cabbage was considered its only source.

Vitamin U is associated with antidepressant properties and the antihistamine effect of sauerkraut, which helps reduce allergies and reduce the number of asthma attacks.

The benefits of sauerkraut for the body lies in its ability regulate blood insulin levels thus improving carbohydrate metabolism. Along with the low content of sugars (glucose and fructose), this makes sauerkraut indispensable. food for diabetics .

Sauerkraut, thanks to tartronic acid, has and anti-sclerotic action . It consists in the ability to counteract the transition of carbohydrates ingested with food into fats, thereby preventing clogging of blood vessels.

Sulfur compounds preserved in sauerkraut have anti-inflammatory effect . Therefore, you can use sauerkraut in chronic inflammatory processes.

Often there is also a mention of the ability of sauerkraut inhibit the development of tumor processes . Studies by European and American scientists in this direction show that where sauerkraut is regularly consumed, tumors of the mammary gland, intestines, and lungs are much less common. This is explained by the presence of lactic acid, fiber and a large amount of natural antioxidants in sauerkraut.

And one more interesting fact - just one spoonful of sauerkraut contains a daily intake of vitamin K, which is necessary for normal blood clotting, healthy kidney function and regulation of metabolic processes in bones and connective tissue.

The benefits of sauerkraut for men

And another beneficial effect of sauerkraut - normalization of the sexual sphere, especially in men . It is due to the ability to bind in the intestines and remove estrogen-like substances, the excess of which is especially harmful to the stronger sex.

So the benefits of sauerkraut for men are obvious - regular use of this product can restore sexual abilities .

The benefits of sauerkraut for pregnant women

Expectant mothers may need sauerkraut as a source of probiotics - beneficial lactic acid bacteria that help to properly digest food and normalize intestinal microflora. A small portion of this product will help to cope with digestive problems.

The benefits of sauerkraut for pregnant women also lie in the presence of a large amount of vitamins and trace elements, which are so necessary for both the growing fetus and the expectant mother.

One of these beneficial vitamins is the folic acid stored in sauerkraut. It is vital for the formation of cells of the future organism and the proper development of DNA.

Vitamin C contained in sauerkraut and its most stable form, ascorbigen, being natural antioxidants, neutralize free radicals in the human body. This helps the body of the expectant mother and the fetus to develop properly, reduces the risk of developing tumor processes.

The benefits of sauerkraut for pregnant women are obvious. But the main thing is not to overdo it - use it in moderation, in no case exceeding the necessary norms .

Benefits of sauerkraut brine

Who knows such a useful property of sauerkraut brine - to relieve a hangover. And all this is due to the rich vitamin and mineral composition of cabbage brine, which allows you to quickly make up for the lack of nutrients and restore strength after alcohol poisoning.

Sauerkraut brine does not contain fiber, so its use does not lead to bloating of the intestines and a strong activation of peristalsis. So the benefits of sauerkraut brine are obvious for those who cannot eat the cabbage itself.

The benefits of sauerkraut for weight loss

Such a useful property of sauerkraut for weight loss as a low calorie content - only 18-19 kcal per 100 g - makes it an indispensable product for those who want to lose weight.

The ability of sauerkraut to activate peristalsis is also good for weight loss. At the same time, along with extra pounds, many harmful products are removed from the body in time, which did not have time to be fully absorbed, and slags and toxins that clog the body.

But sauerkraut not only promotes the excretion of food digestion products. It is able to prevent the transition of carbohydrates into fats, without giving extra pounds any chance. This is ensured by tartronic acid and choline contained in sauerkraut.

The benefits of sauerkraut for weight loss are also provided by the low content of sugars (glucose and fructose), already partially broken down by bacteria.

Sauerkraut in folk medicine

Sauerkraut has been used in folk medicine for centuries for liver diseases, constipation, hemorrhoids, headaches, colds, bronchial asthma, allergies, not to mention hangover. Here are just a few simple folk recipes:

• A glass of a mixture of equal parts of cabbage brine and freshly squeezed tomato juice is recommended to be consumed 3 times a day for liver diseases for a long time.
• Cabbage pickle at a high temperature will help replenish the loss of fluid, minerals and vitamins. It is better to drink it diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 1 2-3 times a day.
• Sauerkraut is useful for beriberi and during the recovery period after long-term severe colds - bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.
• Headache can recede when applied to the forehead for 20-30 minutes 3 times a day, sauerkraut leaves. You can drink 3-4 times a day for 1/2 cup of cabbage brine.
• In gallstone disease, sauerkraut is not recommended, but can be successfully replaced with brine. You need to take it 0.5 cups a day 30 minutes before meals for 1.5-2 months.

We warn you!!! You don't even need to treat yourself! Check with your doctor. After all, cabbage, like any product, has its own contraindications, which we wrote about in the section “ About the dangers of sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut in cosmetology

Sauerkraut is useful not only to eat inside. It is widely used in cosmetology as masks. Use both separately and mixed with egg, sour cream, vegetable oil.

Sauerkraut as a cosmetic product is especially good for oily skin. Weekly 25-30 minute masks of finely chopped sauerkraut will prevent skin aging, make it soft and fresh. After removing the mask, wash your face with cold water and lubricate your face with any nourishing cream. This mask is also useful for acne.

Based on sauerkraut juice with yeast and sea buckthorn oil, you can make a vitamin toning mask for tired and aging skin.

To do this, fresh yeast mixed with cabbage brine to a state of thick sour cream is placed in a warm place (in hot water) before fermentation begins.

Then add 20 drops of sea buckthorn (can be replaced with oil drops of vitamins A and E in the same amounts) and camphor oil. Keep such a mask on the face and neck for up to 20 minutes, and then rinse first with brine and then with warm water.

Applications and rubbing with cabbage pickle will help brighten the skin of the face and get rid of freckles. Finely chopped sauerkraut can serve as an excellent peeling.

When using sauerkraut in cosmetology, it is recommended to use emollient creams or natural emollient products (sour cream, cream, vegetable oils) after the procedures in order to avoid overdrying the skin.

Sauerkraut in cooking

Sauerkraut in cooking is a favorite product. There are many ways to ferment it. And with salt, and without, with sugar and spices (cumin, pepper, bay leaf, coriander seeds, cloves, garlic, etc.), with carrots and cranberries, with apples and raisins. It is almost impossible to list all the recipes.

Here is the easiest way to leaven:

Shredded cabbage is sprinkled with salt to taste, slightly kneading, mixed, stacked and tightly packed in jars, kegs, pots, buckets (only not tinned or zinced !!!). Of course, during chopping, part of the vitamins is destroyed by interaction with oxygen. But in sour whole heads of cabbage, most of the vitamins are preserved.

It is very important not to oversalt the cabbage. Spices, berries, fruits - everything can be added to taste and depending on the recipe.

Do not forget to cover with a layer of clean cloth and press down with a load until juice appears on the surface.

The whole process has begun! It lasts 2-7 days, depending on the temperature. And this process is called lactic acid fermentation or lacto-fermentation. And do not forget to immediately after the end of fermentation, take the finished product to the cold (ideally from 0 to 2 ° C) to prevent peroxidation and mold development.

You can make vitamin salads from sauerkraut, stew with meat, mushrooms, sausages and sausages, and just like that, cook cabbage soup and cabbage rolls, make cabbage rolls and stuffing for pies and dumplings. And this is not a complete list of ways to use sauerkraut in cooking.

My favorite sauerkraut dishes are pancake-cabbage cake and sauerkraut. Want to try? I share recipes.

Kapustnyak : With fried onions, stew sauerkraut in vegetable oil (may not be ready), seasoning it with sugar, cumin, pepper and bay leaf. Put this cabbage in a pre-cooked meat broth with vegetables (finely chopped onions, carrots and potatoes) and some cereals (millet, rice, oatmeal, eggs). Boil for another 15-20 minutes. All! You can eat immediately, and on the second day, just like that, and adding sour cream, cream or butter.

Pancake Cabbage Cake : Use sauerkraut stewed with onions and spices. Fold the pancakes in a pile, smearing them with a small amount of mayonnaise and shifting with cooked cabbage. The top pancake can be decorated. Eat for health!

About the dangers of sauerkraut

Very often, the harm of sauerkraut is associated with overeating. Ingestion in large quantities can lead to heaviness in the stomach, bloating, and nausea. This happens due to the rapid activity of the intestinal microflora, actively eating cabbage fiber.

Given such a complex chemical composition of sauerkraut, you need to understand how difficult it is for the body to absorb everything it needs. Perhaps that is why doctors do not recommend eat cabbage in diseases of the pancreas and limit in diseases of the gallbladder and kidney failure .

Another not very useful property of both fresh and sauerkraut is the ability to remove iodine from the body. That's why for any thyroid problem it is better to refrain from using it.

The harm of sauerkraut is associated with lots of salt , which can contribute to edema and increased pressure with a tendency to hypertension. In this case, it is better to use cabbage fermented without salt. It is not stored for so long, but it has no harm associated with excess salt.

Sauerkraut contributes to an increase in acidity in the stomach, so people should eat it with extreme caution. patients with gastritis with high acidity and it is better to refrain from using it with peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, ulcerative colitis . Sauerkraut is strictly contraindicated during exacerbation these diseases.

When peroxidized in sauerkraut, an excess amount of acetic acid is formed, which destroys some of the vitamins and sharply increases the acidity in the stomach. Easy to use cabbage it is forbidden, as well as cabbage fermented with the addition of vinegar.

Consumption rates for health benefits

Given the existing contraindications of sauerkraut, you should not use it uncontrollably.

If you have been using sauerkraut for a long time as a remedy, take a short break in its use - 10-15 days. Listen to your body. Maybe this break needs to be extended.

Brief summary:

So, use sauerkraut and its brine as prophylactic and curative agent possible with:

• overweight
• lack of vitamin C,
• diabetes,
• constipation
• gastritis with low acidity,
• oncological diseases,
• to improve blood and metabolic processes,
• strengthening the immune system,
• strengthening the nervous system
• with avitaminosis ...

and just like delicious food...

• ulcers and ulcerative processes of the gastrointestinal tract,
• exacerbations of gastritis with high acidity,
• diseases of the pancreas,
• thyroid problems.

Follow the norms of consumption of sauerkraut. Then this healthy and tasty product will improve health, give strength and vigor.

Enjoy your meal! And be healthy!