sauerkraut savvy

health benefits

Eat kraut.
For the health of it!

Everyone knows a little sauerkraut adds zest to a meal, whether it’s on top of a hot dog, a side dish to pork, or as a key ingredient in appetizers, sides dishes, main dishes and delicious desserts. But even better than the flavor are the amazing health benefits people are raving about.

Nutrition information

A one-cup serving of sauerkraut has:
Just 32 calories
No fat
No cholesterol
4 grams of fiber
35% DV vitamin C
102% DV vitamin K
12% DV Iron
Plus vitamin B6, folate, calcium, potassium, and copper

Source: Nutrition Data. Percent Daily Values (%DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Watching your sodium?

To reduce the amount of sodium in sauerkraut, just rinse or soak it in cold water.

Fighting cancer with sauerkraut

A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that the process of fermenting cabbage produces isothiocyanates, which have been shown to prevent cancer growth–especially in the breast, colon, lung, and liver.

Reducing the risk of colon cancer

Sauerkraut is also a cruciferous vegetable. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
eating several servings of cruciferous vegetables a week (sauerkraut, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower,
broccoli, and turnips) can reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Preventing childhood cancer

The latest research says sauerkraut and other cruciferous vegetables, when eaten by women during pregnancy, can prevent the babies from developing certain types of childhood cancer, and from lung cancer later in life. It’s the Indole-3-Carbinol in cabbage and sauerkraut that protect us from cancer.

Sauerkraut and your heart

Sauerkraut contains flavonoids, a phytochemical that the American Heart Association’s Nutrition Committee reports can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Sauerkraut aids digestion

Probiotic bacteria, used as a natural preservative during sauerkraut fermentation, create lactic acid. Lactic acid, in turn, helps aid in digestion by restoring a healthy balance of good bacteria in the digestive system. Cleansing the
digestive tract of harmful bacteria can also provide relief from the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Sauerkraut enhances immune function

A diet that regularly includes fermented foods can also help prevent colon cancer and enhance immune function.
Source: www.midvalleyvu.com