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8 Benefits Of Sauerkraut, FAQs Answered & A Recipe, From RDs

Abby Moore
Author:
January 21, 2021
Abby Moore
mbg Nutrition & Health Writer
By Abby Moore
mbg Nutrition & Health Writer
Abby Moore is an editorial operations manager at mindbodygreen. She earned a B.A. in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and has previously written for Tribeza magazine.
January 21, 2021
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.

Sauerkraut is finely chopped raw cabbage that has been fermented to create a tangy superfood. A study published in the Global Advances in Health and Medicine says this form of preserving cabbage can be traced back to the fourth century B.C.1 and continues to be a highly nutritious food today. 

According to registered dietitian Ella Davar, R.D., CDN, fermentation was a process used to preserve fruits and vegetables to eat during cold winter months. "However, additional health benefits of fermentation include gut-friendly bacteria, which develops during this process," she adds.

The benefits of sauerkraut go beyond the gut, though. To find out more about the nutritional value, answer commonly asked questions, and learn how to make sauerkraut, mbg consulted registered dietitians to share their knowledge on the fermented vegetable.  

Benefits of sauerkraut: 

1.

It's super nutritious.

Along with sauerkraut being low calorie (about 30 per cup), these are the notable nutrients and micronutrients in it, according to registered dietitian Maggie Moon, M.S., R.D.

  • Vitamin C 
  • Vitamin K 
  • Vitamin B6
  • Fiber
  • Iron
  • Copper 
  • Manganese 
  • Folate
  • Potassium 

"It also offers nourishment that might not show up on a nutrition label, such as probiotics, flavonoids that protect against oxidative damage, and antimicrobial compounds," Moon adds. 

2.

It's good for your gut.

Since it is a fermented food, sauerkraut naturally contains probiotics and prebiotic fiber. "Probiotics have been shown to be effective at managing gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea associated with antibiotic use and infections, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)," registered dietitian Adrienne Ngai, R.D., MSc, CDE, tells mbg. 

3.

It can support the immune system.

Because an estimated 70 to 80% of the immune system lives in the gut, these two systems are inextricably linked, meaning, "any food that supports a healthy gut also supports a healthy immune system," says registered dietitian Abby Cannon, J.D., R.D., CDN.

4.

It's a good source of fiber.

A randomized control trial found sauerkraut to be one of the only fermented foods clinically shown to help with IBS2. "Surprisingly, the study showed benefits whether the sauerkraut was pasteurized (no probiotics) or not," Moon says. "The researchers think that means it has more to do with the prebiotic fiber than the probiotics." 

Prebiotic fibers help feed good bacteria in the gut (aka probiotics) so they are better able to flourish and thrive, integrative gastroenterologist Marvin Singh, M.D., writes for mbg. These fibers are critical for creating a healthy and balanced microbiome, which supports overall digestive and gut health.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food database, 1 cup of sauerkraut3 contains almost 7 grams of fiber, which equals 25% of the daily recommended value.

5.

Its nutrients may support heart health.

One cup of sauerkraut contains 15% of the daily recommended value of vitamin K, according to the USDA food database. "Not getting enough vitamin K2 is associated with hardening blood vessels4, which is a risk factor for heart disease," Moon explains. Therefore, eating sauerkraut or other foods rich in vitamin K, may support heart health.

Additionally, studies have shown that probiotics may modestly lower blood pressure5 and improve blood sugar levels6. "For these reasons and because sauerkraut contains fiber7, it can also support heart health," Cannon says.

6.

Eating it might help reduce stress.

While sauerkraut has not been directly associated with stress reduction in humans, "In animal studies where gut microbiomes were wiped out, probiotics from fermented foods calmed down the stress-response system9 that can also harm cognitive function when it's in overdrive," Moon tells mbg.

7.

It can support brain health.

"There is much scientific evidence documenting the probiotics' potential health effect on gut microbiota ecosystems in relation to brain function10," a review in the Preventative Nutrition and Food Science journal says. This research suggests fermented foods may lead to improvements in memory and cognitive functioning while also supporting mental health.

8.

The vitamins in sauerkraut can support bone strength.

Just as vitamin K can support heart health, it's also been shown to support bone strength. "Traditional diets high in the form of vitamin K (VK2) found in sauerkraut have stronger bones, fewer fractures, and less bone loss," Moon says. "This is supported by several clinical trials showing that VK2 improves bone mineral density and reduces fractures4."

Sauerkraut FAQS:

Is store-bought sauerkraut good for you?

Store-bought sauerkraut can be good for you as long as it's free of added sugars and preservatives. "It's important that the sauerkraut is, in fact, fermented. The best way to ensure you're consuming fermented sauerkraut is to check the ingredient label," Cannon says. "If vinegar is listed on the ingredients list, it's not fermented." The only ingredients in sauerkraut should be cabbage, salt, and other natural spices and herbs.

"An important point to note is that live probiotic bacteria is destroyed with heating11," Ngai says. "Choose refrigerated sauerkraut instead of pasteurized (heat-treated) varieties you see on the shelf."

Will sauerkraut give you gas?

When the gut microbiome is unbalanced, introducing good bacteria through probiotics, fiber, and fermented foods can initially lead to bloating or gas. To avoid this, Nichole Dandrea, M.S., RDN, registered dietitian and author of The Fiber Effect, suggests increasing fiber intake by 5 grams each week and drinking plenty of water. Over time, and with improved gut health, gas and bloat should decrease.

How much sauerkraut is too much?

The standard serving size of sauerkraut is about 30 grams or somewhere between ⅓ and ½ of a cup.

To avoid painful gas or bloating from the fermented food, Holly Howe, author of Fermentation Made Easy! Mouthwatering Sauerkraut, says to start small. For those who have never eaten fermented foods, she recommends starting "with a sip or two of the brine, and then [moving] on to eating a small bite of the sauerkraut."

Those who eat a variety of fermented foods already can start with one to two forkfuls per day and gradually work their way up to two to three forkfuls with two to three meals, Howe says.

Is it good to drink sauerkraut juice?

Drinking the brine of the sauerkraut (aka sauerkraut juice) can be good for you—especially if you're trying to build up your tolerance to the fiber, as Howe suggests. The brine contains essentially the same nutrients as the sauerkraut itself, but in a more concentrated form. In fact, Ngai recommends using the brine for a probiotic-rich salad dressing.

How to make your own sauerkraut.

You may be used to buying sauerkraut at the grocery store, but if you're looking for a new culinary challenge, try making a homemade version. (Here: a beginner's guide to fermentation.) "The process of making basic sauerkraut is very simple," Davar assures us. Here's how she makes it: 

Ingredients and equipment 

  • 1 head of cabbage  
  • 1 to 1½ Tbsp. salt 
  • Optional: spices 
  • Cutting board 
  • Knife
  • Mixing bowl 
  • Large Mason or pickling jar 
  • Smaller jar (should be able to fit into the mouth of the large jar)
  • Cloth 
  • Rubber bands or twine

 Method

  1. Shred fresh, raw cabbage into thin slices. 
  2. Mix your chopped cabbage with salt in a mixing bowl, then let it sit for a while.
  3. Massage the salt into the cabbage to release water. Optional: Add seasoning or spices of your choice.  
  4. Once plenty of water has been drained from the cabbage (about 5 to 10 minutes), transfer the cabbage and the water into a large jar. 
  5. Fill the smaller jar with water, and place it on top of the cabbage to weigh it down. To increase the weight, add rocks or marbles. 
  6. Cover the jar securely with a towel and a rubber band. 
  7. For the next 24 hours, periodically press the cabbage down to release more liquid. (Add more water and salt if the liquid isn't fully covering the cabbage.)
  8. Let this sit, at room temperature, for up to one week. The longer you wait, the more intense the flavor will be. 
  9. After it's fermented, store your sauerkraut in the fridge. 

Ways to enjoy sauerkraut.

Here are a few ways Ngai recommends enjoying sauerkraut, as more than a side:

  • Add it to your sandwiches and wraps.
  • Add a few forkfuls to your green salads.
  • Use it to top your baked potatoes.
  • Replace plain cabbage in tacos with sauerkraut (fish and chicken tacos, especially).
  • Top your avocado toast to add more complexity in flavor and texture.
  • Save the probiotic-rich brine at the bottom of the jar to replace vinegar in your oil and vinegar salad dressing.

Editor's Note (June 24, 2022): This article was originally published on January 11, 2021. A previous version of this article indicated that one cup of sauerkraut contains 4 grams of fiber, 17% of the recommended daily value. We have since clarified this to indicate that one cup of sauerkraut contains nearly 7 grams of fiber, or 25% of the recommended daily value.

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