Sauerkraut is a tasty sour product loved by many. But not everyone knows about its useful and medicinal properties. The product normalizes bowel function and improves digestion, helps to lose weight and strengthen the immune system thanks to the vitamins and minerals included in the composition. It is useful for athletes to eat cabbage - it reduces pain in the joints and muscles, which regularly appear after physical training. Cabbage juice and brine have healing properties.
BZHU, composition and calorie content
The composition of sauerkraut is rich in micro- and macroelements, vitamins, organic acids, thanks to which the product has a positive effect on human health. The calorie content of cabbage is low and amounts to 27 kcal per 100 g. The ratio of BZHU in 100 grams of sauerkraut is 1: 0.3: 3.4, respectively.
The energy value of a product per 100 g varies depending on the preparation method, namely:
- sauerkraut with butter - 61.2 kcal;
- with carrots - 30.1 kcal;
- stewed - 34.8 kcal;
- boiled - 23.6 kcal;
- Lean / meat cabbage soup from sauerkraut - 20.1 / 62.3 kcal;
- dumplings with sauerkraut - 35.6 kcal.
Nutritional value of the product per 100 g:
- carbohydrates - 5.3 g;
- proteins - 1.6 g;
- fats - 0.1 g;
- water - 888.1 g;
- dietary fiber - 4.1 g;
- organic acids - 79.2 g;
- ash - 0.7 g
Due to its low fat content, sauerkraut is allowed to be eaten while dieting or used as a weight loss aid.
The chemical composition of the product per 100 g is described in the form of a table:
| Component name | Quantity in the product |
| Manganese, mg | 0,16 |
| Aluminum, mg | 0,49 |
| Iron, mg | 0,8 |
| Zinc, mg | 0,38 |
| Iodine, mg | 0,029 |
| Calcium, mg | 284,1 |
| Sodium, mg | 21,7 |
| Phosphorus, mg | 29,7 |
| Calcium, mg | 50 |
| Sulfur, mg | 34,5 |
| Magnesium, mg | 16,4 |
| Chlorine, mg | 1249,1 |
| Vitamin A, mg | 0,6 |
| Vitamin PP, mg | 0,97 |
| Thiamine, mg | 0,03 |
| Vitamin B6, mg | 0,1 |
| Vitamin E, mg | 0,2 |
| Ascorbic acid, mg | 38,1 |
| Folate, mcg | 8,9 |
| Vitamin B2, mg | 0,04 |
In addition, the product contains starch in the amount of 0.2 g and monosaccharides - 5 g per 100 g, as well as probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and antioxidants.
Sauerkraut juice, like pickle, contains a similar set of useful and nutritious elements.
Juice is a liquid obtained by squeezing sauerkraut in a juicer. Brine is a fermentation product in which cabbage is fermented.
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Useful properties of sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a source of compounds essential for the full functioning of the body.
It has beneficial properties that have a positive effect on health, namely:
- Strengthens the skeleton and stimulates its growth. Reduces pain in joints and muscle tissues, which is important for athletes and people who are exposed to heavy physical activity.
- Reduces the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, thereby improving the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Systematic use of the product normalizes blood pressure and blood sugar levels (which is especially useful in diabetes), reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Strengthens the nervous system and improves brain function. It is recommended to include cabbage in the diet for people suffering from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and autism.
- Improves visual acuity, reduces the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Strengthens the immune system, making the body faster to cope with viral and colds.
- Stimulates the digestive tract, relieves inflammation. Sauerkraut is recommended for people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.
- Improves skin condition, reduces the appearance of skin diseases and eczema.
- Prevents diseases of the bladder.
In men, sauerkraut reduces the risk of prostate cancer. For women, the benefit of consuming the product is to reduce the risk of thrush.
The juice of a fermented product and brine have the same properties, although the effect of the latter is slightly less pronounced.
The healing effects of sauerkraut
Such a simple product as sauerkraut is able to have a healing effect on the body. But only if it is a quality product prepared according to all the rules.
- Sauerkraut is used as a preventive and therapeutic agent for erectile dysfunction. Systematic use of the product strengthens male sexual power and prevents early impotence.
- The product, when used regularly, acts as a prophylactic agent against lung, intestinal and breast cancer, and helps to fight cancer in the early stages.
- Eating cabbage can reduce symptoms of headaches or joint pain.
- The condition of the oral mucosa improves, due to which the healing process of small cracks and ulcers is accelerated, and breathing is refreshed.
Cabbage brine helps in treating liver disease and reduces hangover symptoms. For pregnant women, brine helps fight toxicosis. The juice cleanses the intestines from toxins and poisons, improves digestion.
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Weight loss benefits
There are many diets using sauerkraut. The product improves the functioning of the digestive tract, speeds up metabolism, improves mood, normalizes blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol and saturates the body with vitamin C, helping to fight depression.
It is useful to arrange fasting days on cabbage, it removes toxins from the body, which improves the functioning of muscles, intestines and even the nervous system.
The product contains folic acid, which, when ingested, accelerates the fat burning process, which ultimately leads to the loss of extra pounds. To enhance the effect, it is necessary to increase physical activity - go in for sports two to three times a week or take long walks.
Note: When dieting, prepare sauerkraut dishes without adding salt. For weight loss, half an hour before meals, you can drink half a glass of sauerkraut juice.
The recommended daily intake of cabbage is 300 to 500 g if you follow a diet. In a normal diet, it is enough to consume up to 250 g of the product per day.
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Harm to humans and contraindications
Sauerkraut is harmful to human health if excess salt is used during the fermentation.
Contraindications to the use of the product:
- allergy;
- hypertension;
- swelling;
- pregnancy;
- kidney disease.
There is a product in a balanced amount, not exceeding the daily norm, it is possible for the above diseases. Sitting on a diet based on sauerkraut is prohibited for people with diseases of the digestive tract.
Important! Overuse of cabbage can lead to stomach upset or nausea.
Outcome
Sauerkraut is a low-calorie healthy product with a rich vitamin composition. Regular consumption of cabbage in moderation has a positive effect on human health. With the help of the product, you can lose weight and improve the functioning of the digestive tract, get rid of soreness in the muscles after a hard workout in the gym or at home. The systematic use of the product will strengthen the nervous and immunity. There are practically no contraindications for use, if you do not exceed the daily rate and do not add too much salt.
