Sauerkraut
And your microbiome
So what?
ICYMI – A couple of posts ago, we briefly talked about your microbiome. Your microbiome is a bustling community of microorganisms that are living inside your body. It’s made up of trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that call your gun home. These organisms play a vital role in your general health. Think of them as your body’s health squad, influencing everything from immunity to digestion and mental wellbeing.
In this post, we’re going to discuss the ways that sauerkraut can help you with your microbiome.
What is it?
A beloved culinary gem, a crunchy and tangy delight, is the amazing sauerkraut which originates from Germany. This fermented cabbage is created through a process where shredded cabbage is layered with salt and left to ferment. Through the lacto-fermentation process, the bacteria, lactobacilli, works its magic to transform the salted cabbage into sauerkraut. This process enhances the nutritional value, making sauerkraut a powerhouse of probiotics and vitamins. It’s very versatile to use in the kitchen. It can be enjoyed as a side dish, a topping for hot dogs and ingredients in various recipes.
Origin
Sauerkraut is rooted in Eastern Europe but fermented cabbage can be traced back over 2,000 years to ancient China. Chinese labourers that built the Great Wall consumed fermented cabbage for its nutritional benefits and ease of storing. Germanic and Eastern European cultures used this process to preserve cabbage as a solution during long, harsh winters when fresh produce was scarce. German immigrants later introduced sauerkraut to America and other parts of the world, where it gained popularity and became a part of various culinary traditions.
My experience
I’ve been eating sauerkraut for just over 3 months. Whilst the sourness took some getting used to, it became a staple alongside the kefir that I make daily for every meal. I add it to my bed of veggies that I consume for lunch and dinner. I can confidently say that I owe my regular bowel movements to the sauerkraut I make at home (and my kefir).
What now?
- Have a look in the refrigerator section of your grocery or health store and check it out when you’re next at the shops and let us know what you think!
- If you’re daring, you can even make your own sauerkraut at home!