What are the benefits of cabbage brine from sauerkraut? Benefits of sauerkraut juice

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 mentions of this dish were found in ancient chronicles from the time of the construction of the Great Wall of China. True, the Asian recipe was very different from ours; it included white wine. Today, all nutritionists in the world praise this product in every possible way.

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

Useful and medicinal properties of sauerkraut

For example, such 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.
Thanks to such a rich composition, regular use of this product is the prevention of various intestinal and stomach diseases, including gastric or duodenal ulcers.
There is a lot of iodine in such cabbage, which is very useful for the functioning of a variety of organs.

As you know, special lactic acid bacteria ferment cabbage. When they enter the intestines from the product, they improve intestinal function, suppress harmful microflora, normalize beneficial ones and eliminate dysbacteriosis. As a result, the feeling of discomfort goes away and the person’s general well-being improves.

Also as a medicine, sauerkraut is used to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of gastritis, especially chronic gastritis, 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. It is necessary to hold out for at least three weeks. The best thing to do is to start 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

Sauerkraut is especially useful for pregnant girls. However, it is necessary to consume it in moderation, because this product contains a lot of sodium. Canned sauerkraut is especially rich in this substance. Excess salt from this product may 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 a feeling of constant fatigue, weakness and poor health. Sauerkraut will help a pregnant girl avoid such consequences. 200 ml of this product contains almost 2 milligrams of iron. The body of the expectant mother requires an intake of about 30 milligrams per day. Therefore, it is recommended to add sauerkraut to salads and other dishes.

American scientists have proven that children whose mothers ate this product are least at risk of developing cancer. And, in addition, 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 for the health of both the woman and the fetus.

For example, it helps to cope with all sorts of problems of the digestive system. If any foods cause increased gas production in the expectant mother, then you just need to eat sauerkraut along with them. It contains pribiotics that promote 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 intestinal function.

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

For men

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

Sauerkraut juice (brine)

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

Benefits for the face

In order to rejuvenate your face, make your skin firm, 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 chicken egg white, beaten to a strong foam. The ingredients must be mixed very thoroughly 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 talk about this.

For weight loss

Girls really like sauerkraut also because it actively promotes weight loss. This product contains few calories, so you can safely consume it in large quantities without fear of gaining weight and without suffering from extreme hunger.

For pancreatitis

But for pancreatitis, on the contrary, it is recommended to use it with extreme caution. It greatly irritates the mucous membrane, so if the pancreas is inflamed, it can only worsen the patient’s condition. It is best to completely abandon its use or reduce the amount of this product in the diet to a minimum.

How many calories are in sauerkraut?

The product under discussion contains less than 20 kilocalories per 100 grams. Even if you dress the salad with any vegetable oil, for example, sunflower, then 100 grams of this dish will still contain 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 quite 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 a given dish than it receives from it.

Are there any contraindications?

Despite the fact that sauerkraut is a very healthy 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 avoid sauerkraut.
Vegetables prepared in this way are also prohibited for anyone with increased acidity of gastric juice.
It is contraindicated for diseases of the pancreas, any problems with the thyroid gland, hypertension (after all, it contains too many organic acids), kidney failure and gallstones.

Of course, if a person with any of the listed diseases really wants to pamper himself with his favorite product, despite the contraindications, then there is no need to deny himself this; it is enough just to properly prepare the sauerkraut in advance.

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

Video about beneficial properties

White cabbage is one of the most popular and oldest vegetable crops, present on the human table in various forms: fried, soaked, pickled, stewed, etc. Even the brine from sauerkraut has found wide use.

Who was the first to think of using cabbage brine for food remains a mystery at the moment. But the benefits and features of this product definitely deserve details.

Biochemical composition

Cabbage brine is a liquid prepared from a water-salt solution. In addition to table salt, various herbs and spices are often used as additional components.

Unlike cabbage juice, brine is a fermentation product, so it contains acetic and lactic acids. Moreover, acetic acid appears precisely due to the fermentation process, and not as a result of the addition of vinegar or its derivatives.

The story about the benefits of sauerkraut brine should begin with an analysis of its biochemical composition. That's what we'll do.

Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, K, PP. The drink is especially rich in vitamin C, the beneficial properties of which even small children know.
Potassium, iron, manganese, lactose, sulfur, iodine and many other trace elements important for health.
Since sauerkraut brine contains a minimal amount of fat (no more than 0.1%) and about 22-25 kcal, it is unlikely that you will gain extra pounds from taking it, but you can easily lose it. The sour drink contains approximately 1.5% proteins and up to 5% carbohydrates. More precise numbers depend on the specific preparation.

What are the benefits of brine?

Cabbage brine is an underrated product, because it can not only quench your thirst and relieve a hangover, but with regular consumption it can work real miracles. What is the benefit of this nutrient liquid?

First of all, consuming cabbage brine is not recommended for people with high stomach acidity, as well as gastritis or ulcers during an exacerbation of the disease.

Cabbage brine is also contraindicated for people with chronic liver disease, pancreas disease or coronary artery disease.

Source http://www.poleznenko.ru/polza-kapustnogo-rassola.html

With help sauerkraut brine They have been treating various diseases and ailments for a long time. The process of fermenting cabbage is simple, but at the same time it has unique properties:

prevents the aging of the body;
cleanses the body of toxic substances;
helps remove gallstones;
has a diuretic effect;
lowers cholesterol levels;
eliminates constipation;
stabilizes the functioning of the stomach.

Sauerkraut juice very useful for the following diseases:

stomatitis;
various colds;
sore throat;
oncological diseases;
bronchitis;
tuberculosis;
liver and kidney diseases;
helminthic infestation;
pancreatitis;
obesity;
cardiovascular diseases;
diabetes;
skin diseases (freckles, eczema, acne);
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (high acidity, stomach ulcers, colitis, gastritis and others);
haemorrhoids.

The presence of chlorine, sulfur and iodine in cabbage brine makes it indispensable for treating the gastrointestinal system. Chlorine and sulfur remove gastric mucus well (the brine should not contain table salt).

For cholecystitis, stomach ulcers, colitis, intestinal atony and gastritis, you need to drink brine before eating twice a day.

For pancreatitis, drink the brine slightly warmed up, 1/3 cup three times a day. So for seven days. Then they take a week's break. The next course of treatment is carried out based on the patient’s well-being (no more than 3-4 times).

From time immemorial, people have lost extra pounds using cabbage brine, because brine:

controls water-salt metabolism in the body;
activates the growth of muscle mass;
removes excess water from the body;
improves fat metabolism.

To get rid of worms, use cabbage brine in two ways.

If the liver is affected by Giardia, you need to drink 100 g of brine 30 minutes before meals.
If the intestines are damaged, you need to eat sauerkraut frequently for 3-4 days. You can eat it as a side dish or as a separate dish.

For weight loss, take brine and tomato juice in equal proportions, mix and drink a glass after meals. The course is a month or a month and a half.

Cabbage brine is also popular in cosmetology. Sauerkraut juice tightens pores and reduces oily skin. Brine also removes age spots and freckles. You just need to apply the brine to your face with a swab and rinse with water after a couple of minutes. But this recipe is only suitable if the starter was made without the use of vinegar.

But not everyone can eat sauerkraut. It should not be on the menu for people with aggravated stomach ulcers and in the presence of high acidity in the stomach.

Source http://polzavredno.ru/polza-soka-kvashenojj-kapusty.html

Those who decide to try cabbage juice are interested in the benefits and harms of this unusual drink. Cabbage is a common vegetable in many countries. It is consumed fresh, pickled, stewed and boiled. Cabbage drink is not very popular, but it has great health benefits.

Useful properties of white cabbage

Cabbage juice is not only tasty, but also an extremely healthy drink. It is used in cosmetology and folk medicine. By drinking a glass of white cabbage drink, a person not only quenches thirst, but also saturates his body with vitamins and minerals such as:

vitamins C, PP, D, K and group B;
potassium;
calcium;
sodium;
magnesium;
phosphorus;
manganese;
iron;
fluorine, etc.

In addition, the product contains a special substance - methylmethionine (vitamin U), which heals the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the remedy has been used since ancient times to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as gastritis with low acidity.

Beneficial properties of cabbage juice:

healing, diuretic, antimicrobial and hemostatic effects;
relieves constipation;
cleanses the intestines;
removes waste, toxins and “bad” cholesterol;
thins mucus when coughing;
heals burns.

What are the benefits of cabbage juice? There is a theory that the product has anti-cancer properties. According to some reports, daily use of this product helps patients recover from cancer. However, to date there are no official studies on the anti-cancer properties of cabbage.

Benefits of cauliflower

In addition to white cabbage, cauliflower is also used in folk medicine. The beneficial properties of cauliflower are almost the same as those of its “relative”, with the exception of two points:

High content of ascorbic acid, 3 times more than in white cabbage.
A considerable amount of protein.

For treatment, mainly inflorescences are used. The juice is used exclusively in case of gum inflammation; it must first be diluted with water in equal proportions.

To prepare nectar from cauliflower and white cabbage, it is necessary to separate the inflorescences (leaves) from the head of cabbage and rinse. Next, the vegetable is crushed with a blender. The resulting mass is placed in gauze (3-4 layers) and squeezed out.

You can store the finished drink in the refrigerator in a glass container, but no more than 3 days. To ensure that it does not lose its beneficial properties, it is recommended to prepare the drink daily.

The benefits of sauerkraut

Surprisingly, sauerkraut juice is as beneficial as fresh juice. It should not be confused with brine, which is formed during the process of salting vegetables. Juice can be obtained only by chopping and squeezing the cabbage. When using sauerkraut to make a drink, it is better to use a juicer. Benefits of sauerkraut juice:

improves appetite;
normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
relieves constipation;
improves blood circulation;
prevents the formation of adipose tissue.

Sauerkraut juice is also beneficial in combination with other ingredients. For example, to treat diabetes, the drink is mixed with lemon juice. And for people suffering from atherosclerosis, a cabbage-beetroot drink is suitable.

The use of sauerkraut juice is a prevention of neurological diseases, including epilepsy. And rinsing with this product is carried out for inflammatory processes in the throat.

There are many recipes for sauerkraut. If it is used for treatment, it is better to choose the classic option. It is important to remember that juice helps against gastrointestinal diseases. People with digestive disorders should completely avoid consuming brine.

Cabbage juice recipes

How should you drink cabbage juice to get maximum benefits? This depends on the disease for which it is used.

Due to its antimicrobial effect, the product is used to treat inflammatory processes in the throat. You will need 200 ml of juice and 100 ml of warm water. The liquids are mixed and the prepared solution is used for rinsing throughout the day.

In order to cure a cough, you need to mix honey and cabbage juice in equal proportions. The product is taken three times a day, 100 ml after meals. The product thins mucus and is therefore indicated for wet coughs.

Pure fresh juice helps get rid of swelling: just drink 70 ml of the drink 3 times a day. In the same way, you can cleanse the intestines and get rid of constipation. In case of a burn, the affected area should be lubricated with a mixture of juice and raw egg white.

Low calorie content (22 kcal per 100 ml), cleansing and fat-burning properties make the product an ideal tool for weight loss. You need to drink 1 glass of drink 3 times a day.

The product can be used not only to treat ailments, but also for skin care. For example, if you mix 1 tbsp. l. sauerkraut juice and 1 tbsp. l. yeast, you will get a wonderful face mask. Before use, the mixture must be left for 10 minutes.

The pure product can be used as a toning mask. You need to moisten a cloth in it and cover your face, hold it for 20 minutes. Afterwards you need to wash your face with herbal infusion.

A drink mixed with chopped carrots, flaxseed oil and yolk perfectly moisturizes the skin.

Contraindications

Such a useful product as cabbage juice can cause a lot of harm if you do not adhere to the recommended dosage or ignore contraindications.

The most common mistake is drinking a large amount of the drink. In this case, complications such as bloating and colic are possible. In addition, there are a number of patients for whom it is contraindicated in any quantity.

Cabbage juice, contraindications:

kidney diseases;
inflammation of the pancreas (only sauerkraut juice is allowed);
heart attack;
recent surgery;
acute inflammation of the intestines;
individual intolerance.

To avoid complications, the product should be administered gradually, increasing the dose every 2-3 days. The starting amount is 1/2 glass, and the maximum that a healthy person can drink without negative consequences is 3 glasses a day.

You can reduce the negative impact of the drink by adding milk or yogurt to it. And increased gas formation will go away if you mix cabbage juice with carrot juice. Before using the product for medicinal purposes, you should consult your doctor.

Source http://prosoki.ru/ovoshhnye-soki/kapustnyj-sok-polza-i-vred.html

People usually mistake brine for sauerkraut juice. But in fact, it is obtained by squeezing the original product in a juicer. As a result, the juice of the cabbage itself, which contains a lot of useful substances, is also added to the brine. The resulting drink has a peculiar, but not at all unpleasant, taste, which many people like. However, not all people know about the benefits and harms of sauerkraut juice.

What are the benefits and harms of sauerkraut juice?

Like sauerkraut, its juice contains a lot of ascorbic acid, as well as vitamin P, which affects the tone of the vessel walls, making them more flexible and durable. Therefore, juice also improves blood circulation and serves as a means of preventing atherosclerosis.

In addition, a drink made from sauerkraut is usually recommended for people with low acidity of gastric juice, as it stimulates its production, promotes faster digestion of food and its better absorption. Sauerkraut juice helps prevent the development of duodenal ulcers, which are difficult to diagnose in the early stages. If you suffer from diarrhea, you should mix the product with tomato juice and drink. And if, on the contrary, you have constipation, then drink sauerkraut juice pure - 1 glass three times a day.

It is also used as a cosmetic product. For example, it can be used to wipe oily and porous facial skin. This procedure normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, removes age spots and freckles.

But in addition to the benefits, there are also harms from sauerkraut juice. It can cause bloating and flatulence. In addition, it should not be consumed by those who have gastritis, kidney problems and pancreatic diseases.

Sauerkraut juice for weight loss

This juice is often recommended to be included in the menu for those who are struggling with excess weight. It gives a feeling of fullness and reduces cravings for fatty and salty foods. To lose 2-3 kilograms within a week, It is enough to drink a quarter glass of juice up to six times a day. Mandatory components are juice and sauerkraut itself for a protein diet. They complement meat dishes during lunch and dinner.

Sauerkraut juice for diabetes

The benefit of sauerkraut juice also lies in the fact that it can regulate carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, it is recommended to be consumed regularly by diabetics. However, for greater effectiveness, it is worth making a mixed drink from it by adding tomato juice, apple juice and cucumber juice.

Source http://womanadvice.ru/sok-kvashenoy-kapusty-polza-i-vred

Sauerkraut is a traditional dish of Russian cuisine, universal, suitable both as an addition to side dishes and as a main product. Few people will refuse a plate of crispy sauerkraut, and as a filling for pies, the product is generally irreplaceable. Not everyone knows that not only cabbage, but also juice has beneficial properties. To get the maximum benefit from consuming the dish, you need to know the benefits of sauerkraut juice, how it is taken, and when it is not advisable to use it.

Composition of cabbage brine

The solution contains components added during the sauerkraut process. In addition to salt and sugar, there may be spices and herbs. Cabbage brine differs from cabbage juice in that as a result of fermentation it becomes rich in lactic and acetic acid. The latter is the result of fermentation, and not the addition of a substance artificially.

The chemical composition of cabbage brine is as follows:

vitamins of groups A, B, K, PP, C;
trace elements (potassium, sulfur, lactose, iodine, manganese);
proteins;
minimum fat.

Positive features of using brine:

has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system;
relieves hangover;
quenches thirst;
prevents anemia during pregnancy;
has anthelmintic ability.

How to ferment cabbage product

Even a novice housewife can prepare sauerkraut.

To prepare the dish you need to prepare the following products:

several fetal heads;
one - two carrots;
Bay leaf;
black peppercorns;
salt;
sugar.

Chop the head finely or grate it on a special grater. Chop or grate the carrots, as desired. Mix cabbage and carrots in a large bowl. Place a bay leaf and a few peppercorns on the bottom of a three-liter jar; place the product, compacting it tightly with your hand. Separately, dilute salt and sugar in a container with water at the rate of one tablespoon of each product per liter of liquid. Pour brine over cabbage. Place in a container to drain excess liquid. After a day, cover the jar with a nylon lid and put it in the refrigerator. In three to four days the cabbage will be ready to eat.

About the benefits of spinach for men

Benefits of sauerkraut juice

After using the product, sauerkraut brine remains, the benefits and harms of which have been studied in detail.

The solution has a large number of healing properties:

has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system, activates the secretory activity of the stomach;
prevention of constipation;
reduces the level of fatty fractions in the blood;
increases urination;
cleanses the gallbladder and kidneys from stone formation;
promotes the removal of toxins and toxic substances;
promotes rejuvenation of the body and prevents early aging.

For certain diseases, pickled vegetable brine is indicated for use:

The juice of the vegetable has long been used for coughs with difficult sputum discharge; it has an expectorant effect.

Scope of application of sauerkraut

A thousand years ago, people knew about the healing properties of cabbage and its brine. Cabbage has been actively used in the treatment of various diseases and dysfunctions. There is experience in its use for the following diseases:

diabetics are recommended to use cabbage brine after fermentation with a small amount of lemon juice;
for inflammatory diseases of the throat, it is recommended to dilute sauerkraut brine and water in equal proportions;
for viral and infectious diseases, take brine diluted in equal proportions with water after meals;
during high temperatures, a solution of sauerkraut juice and water helps reduce indicators to normal levels;
for stomach diseases (ulcers, gastritis with low acidity), up to one hundred grams of brine is taken three times a day for twenty-one days; it is not recommended to take it during an exacerbation period;
during toxicosis, a solution of sauerkraut juice helps cope with nausea;
for frequent heartburn after eating, it is recommended to take sour cabbage juice;
for the treatment of wounds, cuts, to relieve swelling and inflammation, it is recommended to use lotions from the juice of sauerkraut;
for inflammatory liver diseases, it is recommended to take a mixture of sauerkraut juice and tomato juice;
by taking sauerkraut juice in the morning on an empty stomach, you can expel infestations from the body;
in case of inflammatory reactions in the mouth, it is necessary to rinse the oral cavity twice a day.

About chestnuts in folk medicine

Treatment of diseases of the stomach and pancreas with sauerkraut juice

Brine has a beneficial effect on all organs of the digestive system. Due to the high content of iodine, sulfur and chlorine in the brine, it is very useful for the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, but it is necessary to use unsalted juice for such purposes.

Before the course of use, the intestines should be cleared of toxic accumulations.

You must take carrot juice for ten days. Otherwise, negative manifestations such as:

flatulence;
discomfort from the digestive system.

For such diseases, a course of treatment with brine can help cope with the disease:

colitis;
intestinal atony;
stomach ulcer;
cholecystitis.

Ideal shapes with cabbage brine

The juice of pickled vegetables helps give the body a nice shape and get rid of excess weight. When consuming this product, the following changes occur in the human body:

stabilization of fat metabolism;
removal of excess fluid accumulated in the body;
activation of muscle growth;
normalization of water-salt metabolism.

Eating a bowl of sauerkraut instead of dinner will help you lose extra pounds painlessly and very quickly. For everyone who wants to lose weight, it is recommended to consume a daily mixture of tomato juice and cabbage brine, mixed in equal proportions. Take three times a day after meals. After two months, the result of such nutrition will be noticeable to everyone.

Cabbage juice in cosmetology

Brine has a positive effect not only on the gastrointestinal tract, but also on the skin of the face.

To give the skin brightness and a healthy appearance, as well as for whitening, wipe the facial skin before washing. Natural acids contained in the brine act as a tonic and make the skin firm and elastic. If you make masks from sauerkraut juice, your facial skin will be cleared of age spots, inflammation and acne. A contraindication to the use of brine in cosmetology is the presence of vinegar in the vegetable juice.

We should not forget that cabbage brine has benefits and harms nearby.

Contraindications to the use of cabbage brine and harm to the product

Sauerkraut juice has both benefits and harms during use. The following conditions are contraindications to the use of brine:

exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
increased stomach acidity;
cardiac ischemia;
cardiac edema;
hypertension;
chronic diseases of the pancreas;
liver diseases.

can sharply increase blood glucose levels, as it contains a large number of additives: sugar, fructose;
activates appetite;
contains salt, which leads to fluid retention, increased blood pressure and can cause weight gain;
may cause flatulence.

Sauerkraut brine is very healthy. With reasonable use of the product, the body can receive powerful support during the period of vitamin deficiency. Listen to yourself, your body will tell you how much you need to eat for your benefit.

What are the benefits and harms of sauerkraut juice?

In addition, a drink made from sauerkraut is usually recommended for people with stomach acid problems, as it stimulates its production, promotes faster digestion of food and its better absorption. Sauerkraut juice helps prevent the development of duodenal ulcers, which are difficult to diagnose in the early stages. If you suffer from diarrhea, you should mix the product with tomato juice and drink. And if, on the contrary, you have constipation, then drink sauerkraut juice pure - 1 glass three times a day.

Sauerkraut juice for weight loss

This juice is often recommended to be included in the menu for those who are struggling with excess weight. It gives a feeling of fullness and reduces cravings for fatty and salty foods. To lose 2-3 kilograms within a week, It is enough to drink a quarter glass of juice up to six times a day. The required components are the juice and the sauerkraut itself. They complement meat dishes during lunch and dinner.

Sauerkraut juice for diabetes

Is sauerkraut healthy? We are so sure of a positive answer that the question seems rhetorical. But what exactly do we know about this? It’s probably that sauerkraut contains... a lot of vitamins. Which ones exactly? What makes the presence of this product on our table so desirable, if not irreplaceable? Let's go in order.

Sauerkraut is a traditional Slavic product, although it is also found in different versions in other national cuisines. In addition to pickling, cabbage has always been preserved by pickling. Salted cabbage requires the addition of a large amount of salt, while sauerkraut requires no more than 20-25 g per 1 kg of cabbage.

Sauerkraut is fermented (i.e. kept after salting) for 1-2 days. During this time, lactic acid fermentation occurs in it: under the influence of a complex of bacteria, organic acids (lactic, malic, acetic) are formed from carbohydrates and fiber. Acids provide a preservative effect, as well as special taste and beneficial properties of sauerkraut.

For pickling, late varieties of white and red cabbage are used, since these are the varieties that contain enough carbohydrates necessary for fermentation. The season is also important: the onset of cold weather contributes to better preservation of cabbage.

The benefits of sauerkraut will become clear and obvious if we analyze its composition.

Composition of sauerkraut

The “calling card” of sauerkraut is vitamin U (21 mg per 100 g of product), as well as tartronic and folic acid (22 mcg - this is a very high concentration)

Vitamin C - 45-60 mg per 100 g of product - presented in 2 forms: as ascorbic acid(free form of vitamin C) and ascorbinogen(related form). In winter and early spring nutrition, sauerkraut has always been the main source of vitamin C in the Russian diet.

Like most leafy vegetables, cabbage is rich in... vitamin K, choline, inositol. Among organic acids, healthy sauerkraut contains the most malic acid.

Nutritional value of sauerkraut

Sauerkraut contains 1.1-2.3% proteins, 0.1% fats, 7% carbohydrates: mainly glucose and fructose and fiber, pectin substances.

Per 100 g of product: calorie content 19 kcal, proteins 1.8 g, carbohydrates 4.5 g, fats< 0, 1 г, холестерин 0 г.

Other nutrients in sauerkraut:

Vitamin P - 300 mg
Carotene - 0.06%
Vitamin B6 - 0.1-0.14 mg
RR -0.34-0.74 mg
B1 - 0.03 mg
B2 - 0.04-0.07 mg)
Potassium - 185 mg
Calcium - 48 mg
Iron - 0.6 mg
Zinc -0.4 mg

The medicinal and nutritional properties of white cabbage are well preserved in sauerkraut, making it a valuable source of biologically active substances.

Health benefits of sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is a unique product of its kind, as it combines the properties of a prebiotic and a probiotic. Let us remind you that prebiotics promote the formation of your own microflora in the intestines, and probiotics are a complex of “ready-made” microorganisms necessary for the intestines.

1 Improved digestion. The organic acids that make up sauerkraut stimulate digestive processes with low acidity of gastric juice, increase the secretory and motor activity of the stomach and intestines, are useful for chronic constipation, and promote the development of normal microflora in dysbacteriosis.

Lactic and acetic acid, which are abundant in sauerkraut, suppress putrefactive bacteria and sanitize the intestines.

In addition, sauerkraut strengthens teeth and gums. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, is a good preventative against scurvy and the best remedy for dyspepsia.

2 Strengthening the immune system. Having a large amount of pro- and prebiotics and vital vitamins, sauerkraut is useful for people who are weakened and often sick during seasonal epidemics of acute respiratory infections. It is clear that it is also useful for the prevention of colds and viruses.

3 Reducing the risk of developing certain types of cancer and coronary heart disease. To be fair, it should be noted that these data have not been confirmed by multilateral scientific research. But they have not been refuted either. According to them, flavonoids can lower cholesterol levels (which reduces the risk of coronary artery disease), and isothiocyanates can prevent cancer of the colon, breast, liver and lungs.

4 Sauerkraut is useful for metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes. And it is very effective as part of weight loss diets, given that the calorie content of cabbage is 25 kcal per 100 g of product.

In cosmetology

Did you know that a cosmetic mask made from sauerkraut, especially its juice, will give freshness to the skin, help fight acne and fade pigment spots? Here are a couple of useful effective tips from a cosmetologist:

Whitening mask against freckles and age spots. Sauerkraut brine is recommended to lubricate freckles and age spots. If they are intense, you can apply daily gauze applications soaked in juice for 10-15 minutes. Do this course every day for 2-3 weeks, and the spots will lighten significantly. However, do not forget to lubricate your face with cream immediately after the procedure, since sauerkraut juice dries out your face.

Vitamin toning mask for tired and aging skin. Mix sauerkraut juice and fresh yeast in equal quantities. The consistency should be like sour cream. Place in a water bath in hot water (no need to put it on fire!). As soon as the mixture begins to ferment, add 20 oil drops of vitamin A, the same amount of vitamin E and camphor oil. This mask is applied to the skin of the face and neck for 20 minutes. Rinse off first with sour cabbage juice and then with warm water.

Useful properties of sauerkraut plus

The beauty of the situation is that the medicinal and beneficial properties of sauerkraut are complemented by the properties of fruits and vegetables, which are well preserved and enhanced in it. Thus, carrots enrich sauerkraut with carotene, apples with vitamin P and carotene, and lingonberries and cranberries with a large amount of benzoic acid, which has antimicrobial properties.

If you add bay leaf, pepper, cumin and anise during the preparation of sauerkraut, you will strengthen it with many valuable phytoncides and essential oils that have a detrimental effect on microbes and stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes.

Pickling sauerkraut is especially useful, and not only the day after the holiday.

Sauerkraut brine

In cases of sluggish digestion and low acidity of gastric juice, sauerkraut should be consumed by thoroughly chopping and chewing well, and even then it can cause bloating. In these cases, it is recommended to replace it with brine.

The medicinal and dietary value of brine is due to the fact that when cabbage is pickled, some of the vitamins (C, B2, PP) and other valuable nutrients are transferred into the brine. At the same time, the brine lacks coarse fiber, which sometimes causes pain and bloating in the stomach and intestines.

Brine is a unique healing and restorative agent that acts on the human body identically to sauerkraut, but milder. It enhances the secretion of bile, stimulates the pancreas, and is recommended as a vitamin drink.

Brine, especially in spring, is one of the best sources of vitamin C.

Cabbage brine in folk medicine

Cabbage brine is quite popular in folk medicine. Here are a few recipes that have stood the test of time:

For diabetes Cabbage juice is mixed with lemon juice.

For colds and high fever Cabbage juice helps replenish fluid loss in the body. Drink it diluted with warm water (1:1) until complete healing.

For stomach and duodenal ulcers. Cabbage brine has a popular reputation as a powerful anti-ulcer agent. It is believed that it helps with “silent” ulcers - that is, without exacerbations. There is evidence of complete cure for patients who took 1/3 cup 3 times a day for 3 weeks. “Silent” is the key word here, because if you have an exacerbation or an advanced disease, cabbage pickle will only harm.

In Mother Rus', cabbage brine is considered one of the most effective ways to quickly and reliably “come to your senses.”

For toxicosis in pregnant women. Many women claim that pickle juice helped them cope with nausea.

Contraindications for sauerkraut and brine

Due to the high content of organic acids, sauerkraut is contraindicated for patients with high acidity of gastric juice, peptic ulcers of the stomach and intestines (!), diseases of the liver and pancreas (non-acidic cabbage is acceptable in small quantities).

Due to the presence of salt, this product should be used with caution by people suffering from hypertension and kidney disease. In these cases, it is recommended to first wash the cabbage from the brine with cold water or cook it without salt (see below).

How to treat diets based on sauerkraut?

You shouldn't lose weight on sauerkraut. This is what nutritionists say, having analyzed mono-diets based on this product. Of course, it is a big temptation to declare cabbage a panacea for extra pounds, because it has a negative calorie content (that is, it requires more energy for its absorption than it supplies). But there are more disadvantages. Firstly, mono-diets are common to all: after them, a person will definitely get better, and many days of exhaustion of the flesh turns out to be useless. Secondly, “special”: a diet on sauerkraut can lead to health problems for those suffering from kidney diseases, diseases of the stomach, pancreas and some other problems.

It's safe and effective to include this wonderful fermented product in your low-calorie diet along with other carbohydrates, healthy proteins and good fats - this will provide you with a balanced diet and receive the unique benefits of cabbage itself.

Some more interesting information about sauerkraut

Strictly speaking, sauerkraut cannot be called the national dish of any country, because it is on the table of so many peoples. In one variety or another you will find it in Russia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, France - the list goes on. It is popular for its mouth-watering benefits, especially in winter in cold countries.

There are many recipes!

« Classic" barrel method looks like that.

The cabbage heads are shredded, then the shredder is mashed and salted. All this is placed in barrels under pressure so that the cabbage releases its juice and the lactic acid bacteria work. This stage - fermentation - usually lasts from 2 to 7 days. Then the cabbage is taken out into the cold and kept there (cold is the best friend of truly juicy, crisp sauerkraut).

How not to overcook cabbage- the main secret of cooking, when overexposed it turns out sour. However, if you didn’t soak it enough, then put on the table some bitter or less crispy fiber. Also healthy, but is it tasty?

There is an opinion that you can’t ferment cabbage without salt(salt, like lactic acid bacteria, ensures fermentation). However, this is not entirely true; you can do it without salt, which is important for hypertension and other reasons to be on a salt-free diet. To do this, instead of adding salt, cover the cabbage with a small layer of water, and the lactic acid bacteria will do their job. However, keep in mind that you need to cook in small quantities without salt - such cabbage does not last long, and quickly becomes moldy in warm conditions.

It is important to choose the right cabbage for pickling. It should be sweet, juicy and snow-white (the whiter it is, the tastier the sauerkraut is).

It is often added to cabbage when fermented. vegetables - such as carrots, beets, red peppers, fruits (apple) and sour berries (cranberries).

How to evaluate the quality of sauerkraut?

Improperly cooked cabbage has a “cooked” appearance, it is “dirty” in color, and you don’t want to try it. By the way, this is the main criterion in assessing the quality of sauerkraut: do you want to try it or not? Properly cooked cabbage is white (plus the color of the “additive”, carrots, for example), harsh and crunchy. It has a harmonious sweet and sour taste and a slightly harsh, but very tasty brine. And it is this kind of cabbage that is especially useful.

What is made from sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut seasoned with unrefined sunflower oil is an appetizer (or salad) that many homes in Russia cannot do without - even today, when there is such a variety of ready-made pickles and spices, olives and capers (almost in rhyme!) around.

Traditionally, we make sour cabbage soup from sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is added as a filling to pies; it is included in vinaigrettes and solyankas (thick and liquid). Try, for example, a dish of Ukrainian-Polish cuisine, and compare it with traditional Russian cabbage soup.

Today, Korean-style cabbage is popular - kimchi (prepared not from white cabbage, but from Chinese cabbage). You can buy it in any Korean salad department, or you can prepare it at home. But that will be a completely different culinary story.