The Power of Fermentation: What Sauerkraut Can Do for You
Jul 13th 2016
The Power of Fermentation: What Sauerkraut Can Do for You
Cabbage to the Next Level
Not many people would argue that cabbage is a healthful food. It's loaded with minerals like potassium which helps maintain normal blood pressure, as well as calcium and magnesium which support bone health.
Cabbage also contains the vital antioxidant vitamin C which is known to contribute to healthy immunity. Sailors actually took sauerkraut, or fermented cabbage, on long voyages to counteract scurvy.1 Sure, this might be due to its favorable shelf stability, or perhaps it's because when cabbage is fermented, the health benefits increase exponentially.
This is due to the power of probiotics. This friendly gut flora affects your health in more ways than you may realize.
Digestion
Need help digesting your meals? Fermented foods like sauerkraut have been found to deliver probiotics to the gastrointestinal system.1 This has been reported to lead to better digestion and less constipation.1
Immunity
Did you know that your intestines contain more immune cells than the entire rest of your body?2 In other words, gut health is essential for your body to fight disease. Researchers are currently investigating how dysfunctional gut health may even lead to common killers in America such as heart disease and diabetes.2
Anti-Cancer
With the billions of dollars being poured into cancer research as a whole, focusing on prevention couldn't be any simpler than eating a bit of sauerkraut every day. Recent research has shown that sauerkraut grown in low sodium conditions has "highly beneficial antioxidant and anticarcinogenic compounds."3
Make Your Own
Kraut in a can has been cooked and processed to the point that there is likely not a single bit of friendly flora surviving inside. Luckily it's easy on you and your wallet to make homemade sauerkraut.
If you have cabbage, salt, water, a jar to put it in, and some patience to allow the fermentation process to kick in, then you can make your own sauerkraut. Here's a simple recipe!
https://www.sunfood.com/blog/recipes/cheeses-dips-sides/saras-homemade-sauerkraut/
Other ways to add Probiotics & Enzymes to your diet
Included in our Sun is Shining Supergreens are both an enzyme complex and a probiotic complex. Not only are you getting your daily green superfoods, but you're also supporting a healthy gut and aiding digestion.
Our Beauty Enzymes contain a proprietary blend of many different digestive enzymes to help ease digestive issues. The enzymes work in a wide pH range, for many different food types to help reduce gas, bloating, and to help your body absorb nutrients.  |
Sources:
1 - "Regular Consumption of Sauerkraut and Its Effect on Human Health: A Bibliometric Analysis." Christa Raak. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 2014 Nov; 3(6): 12–18.
2 - "Gut microbes closely linked to proper immune function, other health issues." Science News, Oregon State University, September 16, 2013.
3 - "Chemical evaluation and sensory quality of sauerkrauts obtained by natural and induced fermentations at different NaCl levels from Brassica oleracea Var. capitata Cv. Bronco grown in eastern Spain. Effect of storage." Peñas E. Journal of Agricultrural and Food Chemistry, 2010 Mar 24;58(6):3549-57.
Sunfood's "Natural Solutions" does not promote or suggest natural cures, natural healing or natural remedies for any disease, disorder or ailment thereof. This information should be treated as educational material gathered and discovered from various studies, clinical trials and customer reviews. It is designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, and independent conclusions in regards to natural products and alternative health choices. It is best to consult with your healthcare practitioner before attempting any form of natural cure, natural healing or natural remedy to any health issues.