How to make Sauerkraut at home and its health benefits
What's so special about sauerkraut that has prompted the need to know how sauerkraut is made? Well, let's examine some of its health benefits to determine whether the hype around this food is justified. Health Benefits of Sauerkraut 1. Rich in probiotics (good bacteria) Sauerkraut contains lactic acid bacteria that help balance gut microbes. A study in Food Microbiology (2007) found freshly homemade fermented sauerkraut can contain around 10⁷ to 10⁹ CFU (colony forming units) per gram of lactic acid bacteria (mainly Lactobacillus) . That means a tablespoon (15 g) could have 100 million to several billion probiotics. A 2019 study published in Frontiers in Microbiology also showed that foods very high in probiotics like sauerkraut can improve gut health and digestion . 2. Improves digestion Probiotics in sauerkraut help reduce bloating, constipation, and improve nutrient absorption. A pilot study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology (2014) found probiotics from sauerkr...