The benefits and harms of sauerkraut for the human body. Treatment of bronchial asthma

Sauerkraut has been on our table for a long time. Long before the advent of potatoes, it was considered a staple food and a source of vitamins during the period of vitamin deficiency in winter and spring. Due to its high level of vitamins, it saved travelers from scurvy. However, this product is not only a tasty snack and a remedy for vitamin deficiency, but also a powerful healing agent that is widely used in folk medicine.

Composition and calorie content

Sauerkraut has a number of undeniable advantages over fresh cabbage. Sauerkraut contains an order of magnitude more vitamins and minerals. Unlike fresh cabbage, it retains its beneficial properties for a whole year.

The energy value of sauerkraut is only 19 calories per 100 grams of product. At the same time, it is more filling due to the fiber it contains.

Sauerkraut contains the most vitamin C. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that slows down the aging process and a strong antiseptic that strengthens the body.

Sauerkraut also contains:

group of vitamins B (B1, B2, B5, B6, B9),
vitamin U,
vitamin PP,
extremely rare vitamin K,
potassium,
calcium,
iron,
phosphorus,
sodium.

Don’t forget about lactic acid, which helps normalize food processes and cleanse the body. The product contains useful amino acids: lysine, tyrosine, tryptophan and methyl methionine.

Sauerkraut and its brine are often used to relieve hangovers or nausea. Cabbage acts as an effective antioxidant that reduces the risk of cancer. The vegetable strengthens the cardiovascular and nervous system, and also improves the secretion of the digestive glands.

Sauerkraut has powerful immunoprophylactic and tonic properties.

Sauerkraut lowers blood sugar levels, making it suitable for people suffering from diabetes. At the same time, it is a tonic for the skin of the face and body. However, you don’t have to eat cabbage.

It is enough to apply the product or its juice to the face and rinse with water after half an hour. Your skin will transform before your eyes and will remain smooth and fresh for a long time.

Traditional medicine has long known the benefits of sauerkraut and its brine. Since ancient times, it has been used as an antiseptic for infectious diseases and for disinfecting wounds. In addition, the product has quite powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Sauerkraut can be used to treat the following ailments:

Sore throat and its varieties;
Wounds and Burns;
Deprivation and lice infestation;
Helminthiases;
Vitamin deficiency;
Insomnia;
Asthma;
Hemorrhoids;
Hangover.

However, you should not rely solely on traditional medicine. Sauerkraut is not a miracle panacea. But if used as an additional remedy, it will significantly speed up recovery.

Sauerkraut juice or cabbage pickle is often used to relieve a hangover. It removes waste and toxins from the body and relieves withdrawal symptoms. But its beneficial properties do not end there.

With long-term use, cabbage brine can cleanse the circulatory and lymphatic systems, liver and kidneys.

Brine has the same beneficial properties as cabbage itself, but it lacks coarse fiber. Due to this, the drink has a gentler effect on the body and helps cope with:

People suffering from diabetes or undergoing chemotherapy are recommended to drink this drink. The juice activates the natural production of insulin and also speeds up the recovery process after cancer therapy. Brine can be used as an antioxidant that prevents the development of cancer pathologies.

Medicinal properties of sauerkraut

The abundance of beneficial properties, vitamins and minerals makes sauerkraut an indispensable ingredient in traditional medicine. It is used in recipes for various diseases:

diabetes mellitus,
hypotension,
constipation,
gastrointestinal diseases,
cardiovascular diseases.

Sauerkraut also helps to relieve internal inflammation, it normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract and helps normalize the digestion process.

Use for diabetes

Due to the high content and almost complete absence of sucrose and starch, sauerkraut will be an excellent addition to the menu for diabetics. Moreover, due to its ability to remove sugar and toxins from the body, it is recommended for frequent use.

And thanks to the presence of alkaline salts, glucose is converted into fructose. Thus, the body can absorb fructose without the participation of insulin.

In turn, cabbage brine normalizes the functioning of the pancreas and stimulates the functioning of the intestines. In addition, vitamins B and C strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of nervous diseases.

For hypertension and hypotension

Eating sauerkraut for hypertension is not recommended. This is due to the fact that this product contains a large amount of salt.

Salt retains fluid in the body, which in turn increases blood volume and leads to increased blood pressure, which can provoke a hypertensive crisis.

Thus, in case of hypertension, cabbage prepared by sauerkraut should be excluded from the diet, or the product should be thoroughly rinsed to remove salt.

In turn, eating sauerkraut is acceptable for hypotension. Due to its properties that increase blood pressure, it strengthens the cardiovascular system and has tonic properties.

For gastrointestinal diseases

Sauerkraut helps improve microflora in the intestines, eliminate inflammation in the mucous membranes and eliminate constipation and improve digestion. However, despite all these properties, the use of this product is contraindicated for certain pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

Sauerkraut should not be consumed in case of pathologies caused by increased stomach acidity and heartburn.

If the symptoms of the disease decrease, sauerkraut will be an excellent addition to the diet. It works well as a prophylactic against gastritis, helps improve appetite and the production of gastric juice, microflora in the intestines, and eliminate inflammation of the mucous membrane.

Sauerkraut has a number of beneficial properties that promote weight loss. This product contains few calories, but at the same time gives you a feeling of fullness for a long time. And thanks to the high concentration of fiber, more calories are spent on digestion.

Sauerkraut improves digestion, promotes the removal of toxins, and also regulates fat metabolism in the body.

However, doctors are skeptical about diets based on this product. The fact is that low-calorie nutrition causes a slowdown in metabolism. The body tries to limit calorie expenditure by slowing down metabolism.

After finishing the diet, metabolism remains at the same level for some time, since it cannot immediately adjust to a diet with a higher calorie content. As a result, the body begins to convert unused calories into fat.

Thus, after switching to a normal diet, a person begins to gain weight again. You should not hope for the miraculous effect of such a diet. In order to maintain weight, you will have to stick to a balanced diet and exercise for some time.

For cosmetic purposes

Thanks to its tonic and whitening properties, sauerkraut has found wide application in the field of cosmetology. There are a number of recipes based on sauerkraut; the simplest and most effective are collected below.

To prepare universal face mask, we will need some cabbage and a gauze bandage. Take the cabbage and spread it in a thick layer on a gauze bandage, then apply it to your face. After fifteen minutes, remove the mask and wash your face. We carry out the procedure once a month.

For the whitening mask Take a tablespoon of cabbage juice, two tablespoons of yogurt and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply to the face. The mixture has a powerful effect, so it should be washed off after ten minutes.

For the mask, reducing the intensity of sebaceous jelly work h, we need 4 tablespoons of chopped cabbage, 50 grams of oatmeal and one egg block. Mix the ingredients and apply the mask to your face. After 15-20 minutes, the mask should be washed off.

To renew and soften facial skin You can use a mask based on sauerkraut and cottage cheese (or sour cream). To enhance the effect, you can use beaten yolk. The ingredients you will need are a tablespoon of cottage cheese or sour cream and a tablespoon of sauerkraut. Mix the ingredients and apply to the face. After fifteen minutes, wash off the mask with warm water.

Contraindications and harm

Despite the abundance of beneficial properties and qualities, sauerkraut has a number of contraindications. It is not recommended for use for the following diseases:

stomach ulcer,
duodenal ulcer,
gastritis,
heartburn,
increased acidity,
hypertension.

In certain cases, eating sauerkraut can lead to flatulence and bloating. People with thyroid pathology should not consume sauerkraut.

In other cases, sauerkraut brings great benefits to the body, enriching it with essential vitamins, macro- and microelements and helping to maintain health.

Pickling is a preservation based on 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 in mid-October, both in the old days and in our days, everyone fermented cabbage. There is even a day on the calendar - Sergei kapustnik, which falls on the eighth of October.

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

Making sauerkraut is not difficult. The taste will depend largely on the type of white cabbage. It is better to use late varieties suitable for pickling.

For two or three medium-sized heads of cabbage, you will need three carrots, coarse salt, not iodized. Chop the cabbage, grate the carrots, add salt to taste and grind everything well in a bowl. Place in a saucepan and press down. In a few days, the fermentation process will begin in the cabbage; it will need to be pierced and opened for ventilation. When the rumbling in the cabbage stops, the juice becomes clear, it is ready to eat. And in this article we will consider

Compound

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

Vitamins.
Bioflavonoids.
A nicotinic acid.
Methylmetonine.
Complex carbohydrates.

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

For good absorption of vitamin C, bioflavonoids are required. In cabbage, they are present in sufficient quantities with vitamin P. Thanks to bioflavonoids, the process of oxygen absorption by human tissues takes place.

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 and P for the whole day.

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

Starch, fiber, pectins, organic acids are complex carbohydrates found in sauerkraut. They promote 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, blood vessels.
Endocrine system.
Immune system.
Nervous system.

Digestion

The main organs that perform digestive functions in the body:

Stomach
Intestines

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

The effect of sauerkraut on the heart and blood vessels

Sauerkraut is a good preventative against heart and vascular diseases. The high fiber content helps eliminate bad cholesterol, which leads to healthy blood vessels. Reduces the likelihood of atherosclerosis.

Endocrine system diseases

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 for fermentation is lactic acid. It has a good effect on the pancreas. Sauerkraut, having a low calorie content, reduces the feeling of hunger for a long time. This helps normalize weight, which is important for patients with diabetes.

Strengthening the immune system

By consuming cabbage and the vitamins it contains, we strengthen the immune system. There is a chance not to get ARVI. Unlucky, you get 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 sufficient quantities of B vitamins. The body can more easily tolerate excessive emotional stress and stress. Frequent headaches, insomnia, poor memory are a sign of a lack of these vitamins. Eating cabbage will help get rid of them.

Treatment with sauerkraut

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 choking. Explained by bronchial spasms.

A folk recipe for the treatment of bronchial asthma: the daily norm is half a kilogram of sauerkraut, chopped small onion, a clove of garlic.

Treatment of hemorrhoids

A sedentary lifestyle leads to stagnation in the pelvic organs and frequent constipation. The consequence of this is pathological changes in the rectum, the appearance of hemorrhoids. You can relieve inflammation and reduce pain by applying 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 a man has problems in the sexual sphere due to stress, taking antibiotics, or frequent alcohol consumption. Sauerkraut may help. You need to eat about 300 gm daily.

Gallstones

If there is a metabolic disorder, poor nutrition, or the presence of chronic diseases, stones can form in the gallbladder and bile ducts. To alleviate the condition, you can drink half a glass of sauerkraut juice before each meal.

Avitaminosis

In the absence of adequate nutrition, vitamin deficiency may develop. Its symptoms:

Headache
Gums are bleeding
Non-healing cracks on lips
Common ARVI disease

Rinsing with brine and chewing cabbage for a long time helps with bleeding. To replenish 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, excessive irritability, and frequent dizziness. Sauerkraut will help remove them; you need to eat at least 200 gm of it, and separately from other food.

Benefits of sauerkraut juice

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

Benefits for women

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

It’s not difficult to make a mask from it.. Chop the cabbage very finely and keep it on your face for about 12 minutes. Cleanse your face and rinse with warm water. This procedure tones, reduces wrinkles, and slightly brightens the skin.

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

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

Hair health

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

Benefits for men

Men should eat sauerkraut. This 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

People involved in weight loss will find the properties of sauerkraut useful. Its ability to speed up metabolism and improve intestinal function leads to weight loss. There are few calories in cabbage. There is no need to limit its quantity. It takes a long time to digest, so the feeling of fullness does not disappear for a long time.

You don’t need to go on a complicated diet, just exclude flour and sweets from your diet. There are salads with sauerkraut. The weight will gradually come off. Juice can also be used for weight loss. Drink a quarter glass before meals.

Contraindications, possible harm

Juice and cabbage should not be consumed by people in the acute stage of illness:

Gastritis
Gastric ulcer
Kidney
Gallbladder and its ducts.
Pancreatitis.

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

Excessive flatulence
Gastritis with high acidity.
Hypertension.
Heart diseases causing edema.

The acids and salts contained in sauerkraut and juice may not always be beneficial. Even a healthy person should evaluate his well-being and consume any food in moderation. To soften the effect of acids, season the cabbage with sunflower oil and squeeze out the brine.

Video recipe for sauerkraut - simple and healthy

By regularly consuming sauerkraut in reasonable quantities, you can prevent the occurrence of diseases caused by a lack of vitamins.

The benefits of sauerkraut are undeniable. Since childhood, our parents told each of us how important it is to eat sauerkraut.

Surely your mothers kept stocking up on deposits of this product in their cellars on the eve of every winter.

And this definitely made sense, since in fact, sauerkraut has a number of positive qualities and properties for the body.

But at the same time, there are some contraindications to its use, which we will also definitely remember.

But first of all, let’s note that you can get positive benefits from regularly eating sauerkraut.

1) First of all, it is worth noting that when cabbage is fermented during fermentation, lactic acid bacteria multiply. Everyone knows that they normalize the functioning of the stomach and promote better absorption of the food you eat.

2) Pickled cabbage is more beneficial than fresh cabbage, which has been proven by numerous scientific studies. First of all, this happens because the process itself gives the product an additional list of positive characteristics.

3) When consuming sauerkraut, a systematic cleansing the body of harmful accumulations. Thus, you can easily notice an improvement if you go on a cabbage diet.

4) Pickled cabbage is endowed with ascorbic acid, i.e. an abundance of vitamin C, which benefits the entire body.

5) Among other things, cabbage contains all the B vitamins, which are so rich in beneficial effects on humans.

6) Exclusive vitamins include K and U, or as the latter of them is also called “methylmethianine,” which affect the absorption of foods.

7) Sauerkraut contains many microelements and macroparticles rich in beneficial properties. Components such as phosphorus, potassium and manganese are sure to be useful to each of us.

8) Lactic and acetic acids are introduced into the structure of cabbage already during the fermentation process.

9) It has been proven that the components of sauerkraut prevent cancer cell division, which helps to get rid of troubles with tumors and various oncological processes.

10) If you have a holistic and healthy digestive system that has not previously been affected by various diseases, you can eat sauerkraut as a preventive measure for ulcers and other unpleasant phenomena with the tract.

11) Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, perfectly breaks down protein compounds in the body. So eating cabbage and meat at the same time is not only possible, but also necessary. This way you will not recover from an excess of protein structures.

12) Peristalsis of the intestinal tract will improve if you regularly drink sauerkraut juice. Considering that the product itself contains it in abundance, one can note the undoubtedly important nature of using sauerkraut as food on an ongoing basis.

14) Cabbage also helps you lose weight because normalizes cholesterol. If you have been tormented by certain problems with the blood and the presence of these unpleasant plaques there, then you just need to lean on sauerkraut more often.

15) Cabbage also leads to the normal state of your nervous system. It prevents stress, depression and even seasonal mood changes that are not uncommon in the fall.

16) Apart from this, seasonal diseases will not be a problem for you due to the antioxidants present in cabbage in fair quantities.

17) The body's immunity will become much better after you establish the habit of eating cabbage.

18) Among other things, cabbage quickly saturates the body and prevents you from overeating.

19) Tartronic acid, which prevents the formation of fatty deposits, is also present in cabbage if it has been fermented beforehand.

20) Cabbage is also quite successful in regulating metabolism.

21) If you have allergies or asthma, sauerkraut will gradually bring your body back to normal and the manifestations of these unpleasant factors will cause you less inconvenience.

22) Inflammatory processes in the body every now and then become the cause of serious problems. So, it is the cabbage you have prepared for the winter that successfully prevents them.

23) Nicotinic acid PP is found in abundance in pickled cabbage. So, it leads to stronger hair and nails.

24) For men, sauerkraut is also useful because it is a natural aphrodisiac.

25) Using cabbage from a barrel, the skin is rejuvenated and cell regeneration is stimulated.

26) Masks made from sauerkraut pulp help women fight acne on their face.

27) If you have a poor appetite and some digestive problems, it is quite possible that sauerkraut will help. It is she who stimulates the secretion of secretion, which actively takes part in the digestion of food.

28) Cabbage will save you from a lack of vitamins - this goes without saying. But besides this, it will also help cope with nausea, which is a common occurrence with toxicosis in pregnant women.

Although at the late stage of pregnancy it is no longer recommended to use cabbage in large quantities.

29) Well, there is an important property of sauerkraut, which it would be a shame not to remember. It fights hangover well and, like any brine, quickly eliminates the feeling of “after yesterday.”

Harm of sauerkraut

But as usual, even such a useful product is not without its negative aspects. These are mainly contraindications caused by past illnesses or temporary ailments of the body.

In particular, people who have had gastritis, ulcers, or other problems with the digestive tract should not eat sauerkraut.

If you have problems with high blood pressure, sauerkraut is also not the best assistant.

You should not prepare cabbage starter in tinned or galvanized barrels. This will make it possible for heavy metals to penetrate into the composition of the product, and their use is definitely very undesirable.

If you suffer from kidney failure, you should also limit your consumption of sauerkraut to a minimum.

Well, how can we not remember that excessive eating of cabbage leads to gas formation in the intestines. This is at least unpleasant if you are visiting.

Be that as it may, the benefits of sauerkraut are much greater than the harm.

Traditional medicine attributes simply magical healing properties to sauerkraut. Healers recommend using sauerkraut and its juice for any ailment, from the common cold to such serious diseases as epilepsy and bronchial asthma.

It is believed that daily consumption of sauerkraut can significantly increase potency and maintain it until old age. Women will find it useful for cosmetic purposes. A mask made from sauerkraut will give freshness and velvety to the skin, fade pigment spots, and also help get rid of acne.

Needless to say, the benefits of sauerkraut are great. However, there are also some sins behind it. For example, due to the high content of organic acids, it is contraindicated for people with high acidity of gastric juice, pancreatic diseases, kidney failure, gallstones and hypertension.

It is also useful because it helps maintain your figure. Its calorie content is lower than even the already low-calorie fresh cabbage. At the same time, it creates a feeling of fullness for a long time. The tartronic acid contained in it interferes with the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat.

Sauerkraut is rich in valuable vitamins. So, just 200 g of this product covers almost half of the daily requirement for vitamin C.

It also contains vitamin B6, which promotes better protein absorption.

In addition to vitamins, sauerkraut contains a lot of nicotinic acid, which ensures the normal course of vital cellular processes and adds shine to hair and strength to nails.

Sauerkraut is also rich in microelements such as potassium, iron, magnesium, and zinc. It is also an excellent preventative against gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Its fiber promotes digestion and improves the microflora of the intestinal tract. In general, sauerkraut strengthens the immune system and regulates metabolism. There is also a healing effect for stomach pain.

There is a “classic” recipe. According to it, the cabbage needs to be peeled, chopped, thoroughly mashed with salt so that it releases the juice, add carrots, place tightly in barrels, the bottom of which is first covered with cabbage leaves, also cover with leaves on top, then cover with a clean cloth, press down with a wooden circle (according to the diameter barrels) and put pressure on top. Cabbage should ferment at room temperature, this will take about a week, but if you put it in a cool place, the fermentation time will increase. To prevent the cabbage from acquiring an unpleasant odor and bitterness, you need to pierce it with a knife in several places to the bottom of the barrel a couple of times during fermentation. At the end of the process, the cabbage, without removing the oppression, is taken to a cold place.

Of course, in a city apartment there is hardly room for a barrel of sauerkraut. Today, everyone decides in their own way what to ferment cabbage in and how to store it. However, some rules still need to be followed:

It is best to use glass or enamel dishes.

Under no circumstances should you use plastic, galvanized or tinned containers.

A granite cobblestone or a jar of water is suitable as a pressure, but metal products cannot be used.

Prepared cabbage should be stored at a temperature of 0–2°C.

You should not freeze cabbage; it can become soft and beige in color, and its beneficial properties are reduced.

You need to make sure that the cabbage is completely covered with brine, otherwise it will begin to darken and change its taste. As soon as cabbage is deprived of juice, its vitamin C begins to deteriorate.

Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease characterized by regular asthma attacks caused by bronchospasms. Bronchial asthma is accompanied by severe shortness of breath and cough. The patient's breathing is often difficult.

The main cause of bronchial asthma is a change in the functioning of the bronchi, when their sensitivity and reactivity decreases. Sometimes asthma runs in families. In this case, the patient’s situation may worsen due to the impact of unfavorable environmental factors on his body.

Bronchial asthma can also be allergic in nature. It also occurs as a result of the penetration of bacteria, viruses or fungi into the body. The development of bronchial asthma can also be triggered by certain infectious diseases, which include sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic pneumonia and rhinitis.

If bronchial asthma occurs as a result of an allergic reaction of the body, the manifestations of this disease are seasonal.

Strong allergens that can cause an asthma attack are pollen, household dust, some medications, animal hair, hay, food additives, chocolate, strong odors, etc.

Treatment

Sauerkraut is an excellent remedy for treating bronchial asthma. It is recommended to eat 0.5 kg of sauerkraut every day, mixed with 20 g of onion and 5 g of garlic.

Umbilical hernia in children

An umbilical hernia is a defect in the development of the anterior abdominal wall. This is a fairly common disease, mainly affecting girls.

The cause of an umbilical hernia is the anatomical features of the abdominal wall. When the umbilical cord falls off, the umbilical ring closes and a seal forms in its lower part. The upper part of the umbilical ring is much weaker than the lower, and with weak development of the abdominal wall it closes only partially.

It is in such loose and uncovered areas that an umbilical hernia forms. A round or oval protrusion appears on the abdominal wall in the area of the navel.

If the child is calm, the hernia is easily reduced into the abdominal cavity.

Treatment

Traditional medicine recommends applying a compress of gauze soaked in cabbage brine to treat an umbilical hernia in children. Cut circles of raw potatoes are placed on top of the gauze, and the whole thing is secured on top with a bandage.

The compress can be removed after 2–3 hours. Repeat several times during the day. The course of treatment should be carried out within 30 days.

Impotence (sexual impotence)

Impotence is a disorder of sexual function, accompanied by a complete or partial loss of a man’s ability to perform sexual intercourse. The cause of the disease can be severe emotional shock, spinal injuries, alcohol consumption, taking sleeping pills, sedatives and other medications.

Haemorrhoids

The cause of this disease is the pathology of the cavernous vessels of the rectum, resulting in stagnation of blood in them.

Hemorrhoids develop due to impaired blood flow, chronic constipation, sedentary work, disruption of the pelvic organs, etc. As a result, the cavernous vessels swell and form hemorrhoids.

For hemorrhoids, you can make lotions using warm sauerkraut brine. It relieves inflammation well and has an analgesic effect.

Hemorrhoids can be internal or external, depending on where the hemorrhoids are located - on the walls of the rectum or outside around the anus.

The first signs of hemorrhoids are itching in the anus and difficulty defecating. As the disease progresses, bleeding appears, which in severe cases can lead to anemia.

In the last stages of the disease, internal hemorrhoids prolapse from the rectum to the outside during bowel movements. At first, they easily retract back on their own, but later there is a need to straighten them by hand. Lack of treatment leads to the fact that the nodes begin to fall out with the slightest load or simply while walking.

Sometimes it is possible to develop thrombosis of hemorrhoids and their strangulation. This form of hemorrhoids is called acute. Inflammation of the nodes leads to the appearance of edema, so the patient feels pain in the anus.

Treatment

To treat hemorrhoids accompanied by constipation and bleeding, it is recommended to drink 1 glass of cabbage brine 1-2 times a day.

Flatulence

This is increased gas formation, accompanied by colicky pain and bloating. Very often this phenomenon is observed in young children. Main symptoms: abdominal muscles are tense, the child shows increased anxiety.

Flatulence in pregnant women is a common and normal occurrence, so there is no need to worry about it.

Treatment

The patient needs to drink 100 ml of sauerkraut brine 3 times a day.

For inflammatory diseases of the throat and oral cavity, it is useful to rinse with fresh cabbage juice diluted in warm water in a 1:1 ratio.

Cholelithiasis

Gallstone disease develops due to the formation of stones in the bile ducts, gallbladder or liver as a result of metabolic disorders. The development of the disease is facilitated by disturbances in the metabolism of salts and cholesterol, infections that enter the biliary tract, and stagnation of bile. It occurs more often in women aged 35–60 years.

Gallstones vary in composition and come in 3 main types. Pigment stones consist of bilirubin and calcium salts; Cholesterol stones are deposits of cholesterol; mixed ones consist of calcium salts, cholesterol and bilirubin. The most common stones are cholesterol stones.

The development of gallstone disease is facilitated by the abuse of fatty foods, diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, obesity, as well as biliary tract infections, atherosclerosis, liver disease, and increased hemolysis (the process of breakdown of red blood cells).

The disease is accompanied by hepatic colic (pain in the right hypochondrium), as well as digestive disorders. Pain may not appear if the stones are located at the bottom of the gallbladder. When they move, on the contrary, a severe pain attack occurs due to spasm of the ducts or gall bladder.

Colic can be caused by eating fatty foods, hypothermia, physical or nervous stress. The pain is often very severe and can sometimes lead to painful shock.

As a rule, an attack begins suddenly and ends just as suddenly. This often happens at night.

The nature of the pain is cutting or stabbing. Its localization is the entire right hypochondrium. It radiates (gives) to the area of the right shoulder blade, shoulder, neck, jaw. Then it is localized in the epigastric region and at the location of the gallbladder.

In some cases, pain can trigger an angina attack. Sometimes it is protracted due to the fact that the common bile duct is blocked. With prolonged spasm, jaundice may develop.

Often the attack is accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting may occur. These symptoms immediately disappear as soon as the pain subsides.

The attack may last for a few minutes, but can last for hours. Very rarely the pain persists for several days. Attacks may recur with varying frequency and frequency.

The patient's condition returns to normal quite quickly as soon as the pain disappears.

In some cases, manifestations of exacerbation of cholelithiasis are reduced to dyspeptic syndrome, with a feeling of heaviness in the solar plexus area, belching, and sometimes vomiting. Pain in the area of the right hypochondrium may be mild, and only palpation of the abdomen allows them to be identified.

The development of the disease is accompanied by clinical manifestations of complications - cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts) or acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), signs of blockage of the bile ducts as a result of the displacement of stones.

As a result of blockage of the cystic duct, hydrocele of the gallbladder develops. It is accompanied by sharp pain. After they stop, you can feel the enlarged gallbladder. Dropsy causes a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium.

When an infection occurs, there is a deterioration in the general condition, an increase in body temperature, and pain resumes. If the bile duct is completely blocked, jaundice develops, the color of the stool changes, and the liver becomes enlarged - it becomes denser and more painful. If bile stagnates in the bile ducts and gallbladder, an inflammatory process may begin.

Treatment

It is necessary to take 0.5–1 glass of sauerkraut juice daily 3 times a day 15–20 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is designed for 1.5–2 months.

Vitamin deficiency C

This disease develops as a result of poor nutrition over a long period of time and leads to a painful condition characterized by the following symptoms:

– headaches and dizziness;

– the appearance of cracks in the corners of the mouth;

– increased susceptibility to infectious diseases;

– the appearance of bruises on the skin;

– general malaise;

– bleeding gums.

To prevent and treat this disease, a diet rich in vitamins is first prescribed.

Treatment

It is recommended to regularly eat sauerkraut in salads. In addition, you need to drink cabbage brine 0.5 cups 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals or take dry cabbage juice 1-2 teaspoons, dissolving it in 100 ml of water, 3-4 times a day before meals.

Helminthiasis

– developmental disorders and growth retardation in children;

-weakness;

– memory disorder.

Treatment

To remove worms, it is recommended to take 100 ml of cabbage brine 30 minutes before meals. In addition, you need to eat 100–200 g of sauerkraut 2–3 times a day, without mixing it with other foods. If you have tapeworm, you need to drink 0.5 liters of cabbage brine per day before lunch for 20–30 days.

Sclerosis

Sclerosis is caused by compaction of connective tissue due to the death of parenchymal elements, which causes scar formation in the heart, spinal cord, brain, liver and blood vessels (atherosclerosis).

Treatment

For the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis, it is recommended to drink cabbage brine 0.5–1 glass 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals. In addition, it is beneficial to regularly eat sauerkraut and cabbage salads.

Pectins and cellulose fibers, which sauerkraut contains, prevent cholesterol and bile acids from being absorbed in the intestines and forming deposits on the walls of blood vessels or gallstones.

Constipation

Constipation develops as a result of weakened peristalsis. It is accompanied by depression, heavy sweating, decreased appetite and a feeling of heaviness in the intestines. Toxins are formed in the patient’s stomach and intestines, which spread throughout the body. Treatment with cabbage helps normalize intestinal function and neutralize the effects of toxins.

Treatment

Sauerkraut brine is very helpful as a laxative. It should be drunk warm, 0.5 cups 3 times a day.

Burns

Burns mean damage to individual parts of the body as a result of exposure to thermal or radiation energy and chemicals. Burns come in varying degrees of severity, which is determined by the area and depth of the damage:

– I degree – redness and swelling of the skin;

– II degree – formation of blisters filled with yellowish liquid;

– III degree – development of skin necrosis;

– IV degree – deep necrosis of the skin and underlying tissues.

A burn has several stages: burn shock, acute toxemia, septicotoxemia and recovery. Burn shock develops as a result of simultaneous irritation of many nerve endings at the site of injury.

With large areas of damage, burn shock can lead to the death of the patient.

Toxemia is poisoning of the body caused by the breakdown products of damaged tissues. It begins almost immediately and gradually intensifies. In this case, the metabolism in the body is disrupted.

The next stage of the burn is caused by infection on the surface exposed as a result of the burn.

The patient experiences an increase in body temperature, anemia develops, inflammatory processes occur in damaged tissues and, as a result, swelling. Inflammation and breakdown products of the affected tissues affect the nerves, causing severe pain. There is a circulatory disorder.

With first degree burns, blood circulation soon normalizes, the inflammatory process stops, swelling decreases, and pain goes away.

With second-degree burns, all painful processes also gradually pass and after 14–16 days complete recovery occurs, if the damaged surface has not become infected and suppuration has not begun. In this case, the disease drags on for several weeks or even months.

With third or fourth degree burns, the patient experiences lethargy, drowsiness, convulsions, nausea, sweating, decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate, dehydration and severe intoxication. In especially severe cases, the functions of the liver and kidneys are impaired, and ulcers appear on the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Minor burns can be treated independently using folk remedies, such as cabbage. With third and fourth degree burns, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Treatment

For burns, compresses made from crushed sauerkraut leaves are effective.

To do this, the leaves must be crushed to a pasty state, applied to the affected area and applied with a bandage soaked in cabbage brine. The dressing should be changed 2-3 times a day.

Salty brine can cause a strong burning sensation, in which case it must be diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1: 1 or 1: 2.

You can make compresses from whole leaves of sauerkraut, securing them with bandages.

Wounds

Wounds are external damage to the tissues of the skin and mucous membranes, sometimes penetrating deep into bones and tendons, with possible damage to blood vessels and nerves. If a weapon penetrates a cavity (abdominal, thoracic, cranial, etc.), then it is called penetrating. Wounds can be inflicted by various objects and, depending on this, are divided into the following types:

– stabbed, inflicted with a knife, needle, bayonet, awl, etc. They are especially dangerous because internal organ damage can go undetected and cause internal bleeding or inflammation;

– cut, applied with a cutting object (knife, razor, glass, scalpel, etc.);

–chopped, inflicted with a heavy, sharp object (axe, saber, etc.);

– bruises caused by a blunt object (hammer, stone, club, etc.);

– firearms caused by various fire projectiles (bullet, shot, shrapnel, etc.). Such wounds can be through (when there is an entrance and exit hole), blind (when the object that inflicted the wound gets stuck in the body) and tangential (when the object of the wound passes nearby, touching only the skin).

Foreign objects in the wound cause suppuration.

Wounds are often accompanied by bleeding, the intensity of which depends on which vessels were damaged - artery, vein or capillaries.

When a shrapnel wound occurs, extensive tissue damage occurs, often accompanied by contamination and infection.

Treatment

To treat wounds, you need to mince 200 g of pickled cabbage leaves or finely chop them with a knife and apply to the affected area. Apply a bandage on top.

In order to soften the wound, lotions are made from freshly pickled sauerkraut leaves.

Mastitis (breast)

Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary gland. It usually occurs due to cracked nipples in nursing mothers. The mammary gland swells, becomes dense, tight and very painful. The skin around the nipple becomes red and shiny. An increase in temperature is observed.

If a disease occurs, you must immediately consult a doctor to prevent complications. In this case, you cannot give breastfeeding to the baby, and the milk must be expressed and poured out.

Treatment

It is necessary to wrap the sore chest with sauerkraut leaves, apply a bandage and wrap the chest with a warm blanket.

It is better to do such compresses at night.

Toothache

Most often, it occurs with caries - a dental disease characterized by demineralization of the hard tissues of the tooth and their subsequent destruction, resulting in the formation of a cavity.

The causes of caries are poor diet and poor dental care.

At the initial stage, caries is asymptomatic and is detected only with a thorough examination. The enamel becomes dull, and a white spot appears at the site of the lesion. However, the tooth does not yet react to cold or hot food.

With the further development of the disease, pain appears when the tooth gets sweet, sour or salty. Later, a reaction to temperature changes appears. The carious cavity at this stage becomes noticeable to the patient himself.

Treatment

Headache

Headache is one of the main symptoms of a number of different diseases.

The human brain is devoid of pain receptors, but the thin layer separating it from the bones of the skull does have them. Pain receptors are also present in the tendon and muscle tissues of the scalp, which contract sharply in response to physical or emotional stimuli.

A blow to the head and severe stress can cause prolonged migraines. Thus, headache is the result of injury or overstrain of the muscular layer of the skull. This kind of discomfort is most often experienced by women.

The headache can be strong or weak, throbbing or constant, depending on the reasons that caused it. It can be made worse by smoking, drinking alcohol, being overtired or listening too much.

Headaches often occur as a result of exposure to viruses and bacteria on the human body, which cause the development of infectious diseases (flu, pneumonia) and toxins (alcohol, nicotine).

Low or high blood pressure, many inflammatory processes in the oral cavity (caries, pulpitis, periodontal disease) or paranasal sinuses (sinusitis) are also accompanied by headaches.

Treatment

Lice

The second species lives only in underwear. Both species are dangerous because they can be carriers of pathogens of typhus and relapsing fever and a number of other diseases. The third type affects the pubic area of the body.

Prolonged lice can lead to exhaustion of the patient's body.

Lice reproduce by laying small white eggs called nits that attach to hair or clothing.

It is useful after washing your hair to rinse it with water with the addition of cabbage brine in a ratio of 1:5.

Insomnia

A person spends almost a third of his life in a passive state (sleeping). However, the amount of time needed for sleep is individual for each person and depends, first of all, on his age, as well as physical condition.

Children and adolescents aged 8 to 14–15 years should get at least 10 hours of sleep per day. People between the ages of 15 and 45–50 should sleep at least 7–8 hours a night, while those over 50 need 5–7 hours.

Sleep disorders usually occur as a result of nicotine and alcohol abuse, as well as lack of sufficient physical activity. Insomnia can also be caused by nervous system disorders, systematic stress, and nervous tension.

Treatment

A good remedy for insomnia is the following: pour 0.5 teaspoon of cabbage seeds into 100 ml of hot water and boil for 10 minutes.

Mix the broth with 0.5 cups of cabbage brine and drink before bed.

Impetigo

This disease is characterized by an acute inflammatory process occurring in the skin. Impetigo is caused by staphylococci and streptococci. Sometimes it occurs due to infection. Children get sick more often. Men can get impetigo from shaving.

Sauerkraut brine helps pregnant women with toxicosis, having a beneficial effect on intestinal function.

In some cases, the disease may be a complication of a physical disease (itchy skin).

Impetigo comes in several forms.

The disease in the streptococcal form is characterized by the appearance of small, easily opened blisters filled with light contents that form on open areas of the skin.

After opening the bubbles, their contents dry out and amber-colored crusts form. If they are removed, an eroded surface of a bright red color is revealed, surrounded by a slightly protruding rim of the stratum corneum.

With impetigo in the staphylococcal form, pathological changes occur at the mouths of the hair follicles. Pustules form in them, the size of which can reach the size of a pea. As the contents dry out, they take on the appearance of a cone-shaped crust.

There is also vulgar impetigo, which can occur on the skin of the face, less often on the skin of the limbs and torso.

Treatment

To treat this disease, as well as for burns, sauerkraut brine is used. They lubricate the affected areas of the skin.

Ringworm

Lichen is a group of diseases that arise for various reasons and affect the skin, mucous membrane, and sometimes nails.

Lichen ruber planus

The causes of lichen ruber have not yet been established. This form is observed mainly in adults.

Of all the pickled and salted vegetables, sauerkraut has the greatest number of healing properties.

Small papules of a reddish-violet color with a shiny surface appear on the affected skin, in the center of which there are umbilical depressions.

Most often, papules are localized on the lower back, abdomen and forearms. Their formation is accompanied by severe itching.

As the disease progresses, the papules that merge with each other form small plaques. A mesh pattern appears on their surface - the Wykeham mesh. It becomes especially noticeable when wet. After the papules resolve, pigment spots remain on the skin.

Papules can appear on the mucous membrane, in the area of the red border of the lips, and on the tongue. Ringworm can also affect the inside of the cheeks, the glans penis in men, and the vulva in women.

Redness and swelling of the affected areas of the skin and mucous membrane are characteristic of the exudative-hyperemic type of lichen ruber.

Ulcers or erosions occur, in addition to papules, with erosive-ulcerative disease. This lesion has a chronic course and occurs in patients with hypertension (increased blood pressure) and diabetes.

Herpes zoster

Shingles is characterized by two forms: simple and gangrenous. It is caused by a special virus. The disease can be provoked by hypothermia.

The patient's skin becomes red, then blistering rashes appear, which are accompanied by burning, itching, and sometimes pain.

The fusion of vesicles leads to the formation of large foci of inflammation. Such lesions are usually located along the intercostal or facial nerves.

The gangrenous form is considered the most severe. With herpes zoster gangrenous, the blisters that form are filled with bloody contents, and some areas of the skin are susceptible to necrosis (death).

Pityriasis versicolor

Pityriasis versicolor (or versicolor) is a fungal skin disease.

The disease begins with the appearance on the skin of yellowish-brown spots with a diameter of 3–5 mm. Their contours are clear, their boundaries are uneven. When scraped, the stains peel off. Most often, lichen is localized on the chest, neck and back, while in rare cases, spots may appear on the shoulders and head (on the scalp).

The causative agent of pityriasis versicolor is the fungus Pityrosporumorbiculare. The occurrence of lichen can be caused by sweating and seborrheic diathesis.

As the disease develops, the spots increase in size and may merge. There is no pain or itching.

The diagnosis is clarified by performing an iodine test: after lubricating the spots with iodine tincture, they are immediately treated with alcohol.

The diagnosis is confirmed if the spots become dark brown and stand out sharply against the background of healthy skin.

Ringworm rosea

Pityriasis rosea is a disease from the group of infectious erythemas. The reasons for its occurrence have not been established; the disease is seasonal, appearing mainly in the autumn and spring months, which is facilitated by frequent hypothermia of the body.

After a person has suffered from the disease, he develops immunity that prevents relapses.

The disease begins with the appearance of a maternal plaque on the skin, which appears on the body. It is a pink spot with a diameter of 2 cm or more. The development of the disease is accompanied by peeling of the central part of the plaque, its wrinkling and yellowing.

The diameter of the new spots is less than the diameter of the main maternal plaque. It ranges from 0.5–1 cm. The centers of the spots, surrounded by a red border, peel off, forming scales. Ringworm causes itching.

After a few days, spots appear on the back, chest, sides, abdomen and limbs along the so-called Langer's lines.

Pityriasis rosea may change to an eczema-like form. This is facilitated by infrequent washing, sweating, as well as the patient’s predisposition to allergies.

Treatment

You can use sauerkraut leaves instead of brine. They should be placed on gauze, folded in four, or cotton cloth, and applied to the skin affected by lichen.

It is not recommended to eat spicy food, canned food, or drink alcohol. Hypothermia and stress should be avoided, as they contribute to the weakening of the body and the development of the disease. You should not wear synthetic and woolen underwear, because they are irritating to the skin, and it is not recommended to wet or wash the affected areas of the skin.

It is advisable to consult with your doctor, who will be able to guide and adjust treatment.

Sore throat catarrhal

Catarrhal tonsillitis is an extremely contagious infectious disease. As a rule, it occurs when the body is hypothermic.

Catarrhal tonsillitis is accompanied by chills and increased body temperature. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity dries quickly, a sore throat appears, and swallowing is accompanied by severe pain. Examination reveals redness and enlargement of the tonsils, as well as inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes.

Sore throat, ulcerative membranous

Ulcerative membranous tonsillitis usually lasts 6–8 days. If the general condition of the body at the time of illness is unsatisfactory, more time will be required to treat the ailment. The diagnosis is made after examining a smear taken from the patient’s throat, which reveals the presence of a spirochete and a fusiform rod.

With ulcerative membranous tonsillitis, a whitish-yellow coating appears on the tonsils, pharynx, and sometimes on the inside of the cheeks, which is easily removed. Under the plaque there are always ulcers that cause bad breath. The patient's body temperature rises to 37–38°C. The submandibular lymph nodes are greatly enlarged, but palpation does not cause severe pain.

For general prevention of colds, it is enough to eat 2 tablespoons of sauerkraut per day.

Angina lacunar

The duration of this disease usually does not exceed 5 days.

Lacunar tonsillitis is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, in some cases up to 40°C, pain when swallowing and enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes. Examination of the patient reveals a typical symptom of this disease - light yellow or white plaque on the tonsils, which consists of bacteria, epithelial cells and leukocytes and is easily removed during treatment.

Sore throat phlegmonous

Phlegmonous sore throat is sometimes called a peritonsil abscess. This disease often develops as a complication of other types of sore throat.

Phlegmonous tonsillitis begins to develop when an infection weakened by the disease enters the body, the focus of which is in the lacunae of the tonsils. During illness, inflammation occurs with subsequent suppuration of the tonsils.

A person recovering from a primary sore throat begins to again feel a sore throat when swallowing. His appetite worsens, his overall vitality decreases, his body temperature quickly rises and can reach 40°C. There is limited opening of the mouth, the voice becomes nasal. On examination, swelling and tenderness of the submandibular lymph nodes are detected, on the affected side of the oral mucosa there is swelling and hyperemia of the soft palate, the tonsil is sharply protruded, the uvula is shifted to the healthy side. The patient's head is constantly tilted in the direction on which the abscess develops.

Sore throat follicular

The average duration of follicular tonsillitis is 4 days.

With follicular tonsillitis, the body temperature rises, a sore throat and pain when swallowing appear, inflammation is observed, followed by suppuration of the follicles, which cover the swollen tonsils with small pale yellow dots. The submandibular lymph nodes quickly swell and become painful on palpation.

Ludovika's tonsillitis

Louis's tonsillitis is an acute inflammation of the oral mucosa. This disease is usually a consequence of complications caused by the lack of treatment for various dental diseases.

Louis's sore throat is accompanied by a sharp increase in body temperature, loss of appetite, decreased overall vitality and insomnia. Examination reveals swelling of the larynx and oral mucosa. Swallowing and chewing are accompanied by severe pain, speech becomes slurred. In particularly advanced cases, the disease leads to sepsis and swelling of the trachea. The patient's breathing becomes heavy and intermittent. The final stage of Louis's sore throat is suffocation.

Treatment

Sauerkraut brine is used to treat sore throat. They are advised to gargle. The frequency of rinsing is 4-12 times a day. It is also useful to drink heated brine 5-6 times a day, 50 ml.

Cabbage sauerkraut retains 1.5–2 times more vitamins than shredded cabbage.

This method must be combined with taking antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Treatment lasts until the patient recovers completely.

Diathesis

This disease manifests itself on the child’s skin, but its cause is considered to be a disruption of the digestive tract. Skin rashes usually appear after eating a particular food. Since the baby’s main food is mother’s milk, she has to monitor her diet so as not to cause diathesis in the child. However, not only the mother’s diet is important, but also the state of her gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, to prevent diathesis, it is recommended to treat both mother and child.

Treatment of the mother

First of all, it is necessary to carry out internal cleansing. To do this, you need to take activated carbon 2 tablets 5 times a day for 2 weeks. It is recommended to take the drug before or after meals, and the interval between meals and activated charcoal should be at least 1 hour.

A woman needs to monitor the state of her gastrointestinal tract, pay attention to her stool, and carefully choose food for her diet. It should be remembered that many chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can be passed on to the child.

To normalize processes in the intestines and stomach, it is useful to drink 100–150 ml of cabbage brine 3–4 times a day and more often eat salads that contain sauerkraut.

Treatment of a child

In addition, you need to ensure that the child has a bowel movement every day, and, if necessary, you need to do an enema.

For skin areas with diathesis rashes, it is recommended to make baths and lotions using cabbage brine or apply compresses from crushed sauerkraut leaves.

Dear readers, do you like sauerkraut? I never tire of being amazed at the wisdom of our body. As soon as late autumn and the first cold weather arrive, I really want sauerkraut. And all winter it is on our table. Probably, for many of you it’s exactly the same.

Did you know that on October 8 in Russia there was a holiday called Sergei the Cabbage Man, on which housewives always fermented cabbage with songs and jokes? And such reserves allowed people to live through the winter in relative stability. And I still remember how my grandparents brought a barrel, took out a shredder, and a rather long process of homework began. How many years have passed, but I still remember the taste of that particular cabbage. How delicious it was...

Each housewife prepares this crispy snack with a specific pleasant smell in her own way, having her own signature recipe; sugar, cranberries, apples, and cumin are added to the cabbage. The necessary effect is obtained as a result of fermentation of lactic acid bacteria under the influence of salt, air and ambient temperature.

As a result, we get a tasty and extremely healthy snack for the body. During the process of fermentation, the benefits of white cabbage increase significantly, and it is very important that sauerkraut retains all its beneficial properties for a long time if stored correctly. Today, dear readers, we will talk about the benefits and harms of sauerkraut for our body.

Sauerkraut. Benefits and harm to the body

In winter, when our body suffers from a lack of sun, light, heat, fresh vegetables and fruits, sauerkraut becomes indispensable in our diet. It contains all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body. Sauerkraut is rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and other minerals are found in its composition, such as phosphorus, sodium, sulfur, chlorine, zinc, iodine, copper, chromium. molybdenum.

The benefits of sauerkraut are its high content of vitamins, especially ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is not synthesized and does not accumulate in the body; it must be supplied daily with food, since its role is extremely important, it maintains the normal condition of the walls of blood vessels, increases the neutralizing function of the liver, promotes the absorption of iron and normal hematopoiesis, increases the body’s resistance to the effects of viruses and bacteria.

Sauerkraut contains vitamin P, which belongs to the class of bioflavonoids, biologically related to vitamin C and facilitating its absorption. Bioflavonoids strengthen capillaries, reduce the body's response to foreign substances, and improve oxygen saturation of tissues. 100 grams of sauerkraut contains a daily dose of vitamin C and vitamin P.

Sauerkraut and its juice contain B vitamins, vitamins A, E, H, K, nicotinic acid, as well as methylmethionine, or vitamin U, which has the unique property of protecting the gastric mucosa from harmful effects.

Sauerkraut is a good source of complex carbohydrates - starch, pectin, fiber, as well as several types of organic acids. All these substances are necessary for normal digestion, for removing waste products, for regulating metabolism in the body, and for the prevention of cancer.

Let's take a closer look at how sauerkraut is beneficial for human health, what effect it has on the body, the beneficial properties of sauerkraut, and how to use it for medicinal purposes.

For our digestion

What are the benefits of sauerkraut for our digestion? It increases appetite, enhances the functions of the large and small intestines, normalizes microflora, and has a mild laxative effect. Sauerkraut brine is used to treat gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice, to stimulate bile secretion, as well as for constipation and hemorrhoids. For medicinal purposes, take 1/2 cup of brine 2 times a day before meals. If necessary, cabbage brine can be diluted with boiled water.

The benefits of sauerkraut for the cardiovascular system

Fiber, which cabbage is rich in, absorbs cholesterol and prevents its penetration into the bloodstream, participates in the removal of bile acids from the body, preventing the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Sauerkraut should be included in the diet to prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as for those who already have problems.

Is sauerkraut good for diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease that destroys almost all organs and systems, and nutrition plays a very important role here. Sauerkraut contains practically no sucrose, it has very few simple carbohydrates, and it is allowed to be eaten by type 1 and type 2 diabetes, since it does not increase blood sugar.

Sauerkraut is allowed for use in diabetes mellitus, provided that no sugar was used in its fermentation.

During the fermentation process, cabbage is enriched with lactic acid and enzymes that improve the functioning of the pancreas, the functions of which are reduced in diabetes. A high content of vitamin C is also very important in the diet of patients with diabetes, and B vitamins help relieve symptoms of neuropathy.

Patients with diabetes often suffer from excess weight, and daily intake of sauerkraut, which is low in calories and high in fiber, will help you lose a couple of extra pounds and will not allow you to gain them back.

Sauerkraut for immunity

The benefits of sauerkraut for the human body are beyond doubt when we talk about strengthening the immune system. The high content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in its composition allows it to resist colds and viruses in winter. But if you do catch a cold, cabbage brine, which has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, will help with sore throat, cough, high temperature. You can gargle with brine diluted with boiled water and take it orally for any cold.

The benefits of sauerkraut for the nervous system

Sauerkraut contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, which affect the transmission of nerve impulses, the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system, increasing resistance to stressful situations. With a lack of these vitamins, irritability, insomnia, memory loss, headaches, fatigue, and neuropsychiatric disorders occur.

Sauerkraut juice. Benefits and harms

When preparing cabbage for fermentation, we grind it with our hands so that the cabbage juice turns into brine during the fermentation process. So brine is the juice of sauerkraut, if no water was added to the cabbage during fermentation. To get the maximum amount of juice from sauerkraut, you need to chop it and squeeze out the juice. Cabbage juice is useful because all of the above properties of sauerkraut are concentrated in it and there are much more of them there than in the cabbage itself.

Cabbage juice is useful for low acidity of gastric juice, nausea, constipation, and lack of appetite. It is also useful to drink it for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. You should always start taking juice with minimal doses, two tablespoons is enough, if well tolerated, you can increase the amount of juice to 1/4 cup per dose.

Health Applications

For a sore throat, juice diluted with boiled water is used for gargling; it plays the role of an antiseptic, and also relieves pain and swelling. The juice is recommended for bleeding gums, as the high content of ascorbic acid and rutin strengthens blood vessels.

Contraindications

But we must not forget that in addition to useful substances, the concentration of organic acids and salt in sauerkraut juice is increased, so you should absolutely not drink it during exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases, pancreatitis, hypertension and heart disease. In these cases, with the permission of your doctor, you can include a small amount of cabbage in salads, adding vegetable oil to them.

What are the benefits of sauerkraut for women?

The benefits of sauerkraut for women are due to its high cosmetological properties; it is used to prepare masks and lotions for acne, age spots, freckles, and oily porous skin. Don't forget, when preparing sauerkraut, to make simple masks with it for facial care.

Sauerkraut face masks

The simplest mask is to squeeze out the sauerkraut, chop it finely and apply it to the skin of the face, covering it with a napkin on top. After 10 – 15 minutes, rinse and apply nourishing cream. This mask whitens the skin, cleanses, tightens, smoothes out fine wrinkles.
You can use not the cabbage itself, but its brine, for which the cabbage is also chopped and squeezed well. Soak a napkin in the resulting brine and apply it to the face, having previously made holes for the eyes, nose and lips. After 10 minutes, you need to wash your face with cool water. It is useful to do such lotions 2 times a week for acne.
For oily and porous skin, prepare the following mask: chop two tablespoons of sauerkraut, add beaten egg white and a spoonful of potato starch. Apply the mask to your face for 15 minutes, then wash.
For dry skin, you can also make an excellent mask from sauerkraut. Chop two tablespoons of cabbage, add egg yolk and a teaspoon of vegetable oil. Apply to facial skin for 15 minutes. After removing the mask, wash with warm water and apply nourishing cream.

Hair Mask

To strengthen hair, rub sauerkraut brine into the scalp once a week or prepare a mixture of cabbage juice and liquid honey, taken in equal quantities, which is applied to the hair roots 30 minutes before washing your hair.

For women, the low calorie content of sauerkraut and the presence of organic acids in it, which prevent the accumulation of fat deposits, are important.

During pregnancy

Is it possible to eat sauerkraut during pregnancy? Sauerkraut helps women during pregnancy fight attacks of nausea due to toxicosis. But it is important to look at the contraindications. We'll talk about this below.

What are the benefits of sauerkraut for men?

Is sauerkraut good for men? We can say with confidence that it is useful, its regular use increases physical and mental activity, low calorie content, high fiber and ascorbic acid content serve as a good prevention of obesity and hemorrhoids.

Sauerkraut. Benefits for weight loss

Those wishing to lose weight would do well to include sauerkraut in their diet. It improves all metabolic processes in the body, has a positive effect on digestion, enhances intestinal motility and prevents constipation. These properties themselves help to cope with excess weight; sauerkraut takes a long time to digest, and we do not feel hungry for a long time. And the low calorie content allows you to eat it without any special restrictions.

If you include sauerkraut salad in your daily menu in addition to fresh vegetables, and do not abuse flour and sweet foods, your weight will gradually decrease without exhausting diets and strict restrictions.

If well tolerated, sauerkraut juice will also promote weight loss; you should drink 1/4 cup of it several times a day before meals or between meals, either in pure form or diluting it with water.

Sauerkraut. Harm. Contraindications

The benefits of sauerkraut are recognized by doctors and nutritionists; it is recommended to include it in the diet as often as possible during the winter, but in addition to the benefits, it must also be said about the dangers of sauerkraut.

It has a high glycemic index, because in addition to cabbage, we add sugar, apples and other additives.
Stimulates appetite. For some this may not be very useful.
The salt used to ferment cabbage can lead to fluid retention in the body. And this can lead to increased blood pressure and weight gain.
Sauerkraut contains fermentation processes. And in combination with fiber, which cabbage itself is rich in, this can lead to severe gas formation.

I invite you to watch a video about the dangers of sauerkraut.