Who would have thought that the crunchy sour condiment that some of us love to put on a hot dog could be good for you? Well, the original fermented version is very good for you! Some of you may not have even tasted sauerkraut or even know what it is.

Sauerkraut is finely cut cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria. It has a long shelf life and a distinctive sour flavor, both of which result from the lactic acid that forms when the bacteria ferment the sugars in the cabbage.

People have been using fermentation to preserve valuable vegetables and other perishable foods for long periods without the use of modern-day refrigerators, freezers or canning methods. It sounds a little disgusting to be eating food that has been sitting out on the cupboard for days, but actually, it is so healthy.

Sauerkraut is chuck full of bacteria strains that include Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus that populate your gut environment. These live and active probiotics have beneficial effects on the health of your digestive tract, and the rest of your body too. That’s because a very large portion of your immune system actually lives within your gut and is run by bacterial organisms.

“The good bacteria living in someone’s healthy gut environment have been proved to be crucial for lowering the risk of just about every form of acute or chronic illness there is”.

“Most people, including children, are in need of a probiotic boost due to the use of prescription medication particularly antibiotics as well as high carbohydrate diets, the consumption of chlorinated and fluoridated water, and conventional foods such as non-organic meat and dairy that contain antibiotic residues.  These chemicals kill off probiotics in your system, which over time will damage your digestive tract”. Dr. Axe

As you can see, we all need good bacteria. Yogurt and supplements are not the only places to get these yummy probiotics. Fermented foods of all kinds are a great way to supply your body with these needed good bacteria, and sauerkraut is one of them.

Here are some of the benefits of eating sauerkraut in a nut shell.

What it does:

• Improves immune function
• Aids in digestion and the absorption of various nutrients
• Helps prevent infections and combat toxins living within your digestive tract
• Supports brain function and cognitive health
• Control inflammation

What it can help PREVENT:

• brain disorders and mental illness
• digestive disorders like leaky gut syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and IBS
• mood disorders like depression and anxiety
• cancer
• asthma
• hormonal imbalances
• food allergies and sensitivities
• metabolic conditions such as diabetes
• obesity or weight gain
• various autoimmune diseases

Are you ready to start implementing this superfood into your diet? You can buy sauerkraut at the store, but make sure it is raw and unpasteurized. It will be in the refrigerated section of the store.