Sauerkraut strengthens the acidity of the stomach, prevents constipation, stimulates peristaltic movement of the intestines, detoxifies the intestines,
helps cleanse the blood, supports natural resistance against infections and strengthens the body’s immune system.
It also helps rid the body of worms, lowers the sugar in the blood and urine and controls a craving for sweets.
Sauerkraut as Digestive Aid
Eating sauerkraut is a great way to protect the balance of bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. Sauerkraut is
one of the few foods that contains the bacterium Lactobacilli plantarum. L. planatarum is a very dominant strain
of healthful bacteria which helps your digestive system in the following ways:
• inhibit pathogenic organisms including E.coli, salmonella and unhealthy overgrowth of candida (yeast)
• create antioxidants (glutathione and superoxide dismustase) that scavenge free radicals which are a cancer
precursor
•transforms hard-to-digest lactose from milk to the more easily digested lactic acid
Neutralizes the anti-nutrients found in many foods including the phytic acid found in all grains and the
trypsin-inhibitors in soy
• generates new nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids, digestive aids and the trace mineral GTF chromium
Sauerkraut as Cancer Fighter
The most recent evidence of sauerkraut’s status as a SuperFood is found in
numerous studies on the cruciferous wonder’s caner-fighting properties.
The results of a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
concluded that sauerkraut is a cancer inhibitor. The study discovered that the
fermentation of cabbage produced a substance called isothiocynates, which
prevents cancer growth, particularly in the breast, colon, lung and liver.
Although raw cabbage is normally rich in a compound called glucosinolate, the
researchers found that during the fermentation process enzymes are released
that completely decompose the compound into several breakdown products. The
The University of New Mexico published a study linking sauerkraut consumption by
adolescent females to a reduced risk for breast cancer. Earlier studies indicate
sauerkraut may reduce the risk for other forms of cancer including lung, colon,
prostate, and liver.
Sauerkraut as Flu Fighter
With the fear of Avian Flu spreading across the globe, one enterprising Korean scientist, Kang Sa-Ouk of Seoul National University, took 13 birds infected with the Avian flu virus and a couple of other diseases, fed them Kim
chi extract and found that 11 of the birds recovered. Experts reckon the vital bacteria are created during the
fermenting process and this gives the dish its health-boosting qualities.
Sa-Ouk said: “The feed helps the fight against bird fly and other fly viruses.”
Kim Chi is a Korean version of sauerkraut.
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