Sauerkraut Juice – a Cancer Fighting Probiotic

Benefits and uses of sauerkraut juice
Benefits and uses of sauerkraut juice

Brief history of sauerkraut juice and sauerkraut juice health benefits

The sauerkraut juice is a blend of many cruciferous vegetables, among which are cauliflowers and brussel sprouts and mostly cabbage, and the health benefits are mainly derived from the fermentation process of cabbage. Using the ancient technics of preserving cabbage, fermentation, sauerkraut is maybe one of the oldest remedies for several treatments of various conditions, going back to the fourth century B.C., normally among the first users are the ancient Chinese. It is believed that the Chinese combined the shredded cabbage leaves with rice wine, and that this recipe was brought to Europe by non-other than Genghis Kahn 1000 later. The Germans used a different approach, they salted the shredded cabbage, and left them in barrels filled with water. Later on, after the fermentation process in finished, they used to drawn the water out of the barrels, and thus found the sauerkraut juice. The process today is very familiar, however, on the Balkans people are changing the water from the barrels multiple times during the fermentation process, and use the last batch as juice (on the Balkans is also known as a hangover remedy, but we’ll get back to that later) .

Sauerkraut juice
Sauerkraut juice – Image source: https://flic.kr/p/oCsKhX

One of the most famous and distinguished professors who have spent a life-time  researching the benefits of sauerkraut juice is prof. Karadzov form Republic of Bulgaria. He was diagnosed with colon cancer, and after surgery, he simply rejected having chemotherapy. Despite his doctors displeasing attitude, he was determined to make his own remedy. As a professor in microbiology, he was no stranger to the beneficial properties of sauerkraut juice, and has proven that is represents a powerful immunomodulatory product.  He knew that he will be cured using the bacillus from the Sauer cabbage, and describes the process thoroughly, when preparing the sauer cabbage, he waits for the juice to become cloudy, and then he knows that the lactobacillus are multiplying. However, prof. Kardzov is a living proof  that the sauerkraut juice works, because now for more than 20 years he has been healthy, feeling good and extremely alive, despite his colleagues skepticism because of the large amount of salt in the sauerkraut juice. Prof. Karadzov found a solution for this problem also; instead of 30 grams of salt per one liter of water, he adds 8 grams of salt, and also adds honey in the barrel, because he has found that the lactobacilli are multiplying even better after the fermentation because of the honey sugars. Prof. Karadzov also adds red beet, which gives the sauerkraut a more pleasant pink color, and helps fighting cancerous cells in addition with the sauerkraut.

Benefits and uses of sauerkraut juice

As you might already know, fermentation is the metabolic process of converting carbohydrates in alcohol and carbon dioxide. For the process to take part, you’ll need carbohydrate, yeast and/or bacteria, which convert the sugar into healthy bacteria that help regulating intestinal functions. When the bacteria are deprived of oxygen a phenomenon called microbial fermentation happens, a fermentation that makes food so called probiotic, or also called lactic acid fermentation.  The sauerkraut juice is just filled with probiotics, and thus the health benefits on the human organism is huge, especially on the digestive tract, keeping the right microbial balance, and lowering the risk of various diseases associated with microbial imbalance.

Benefits and uses of sauerkraut juice
Benefits and uses of sauerkraut juice – Image source: https://flic.kr/p/9SBguS

An article published in The Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology (2009) states that “the use of antibiotics, immunosuppressive therapy and irradiation, amongst other means of treatment, may cause alterations in the gut composition and have an effect on the GIT flora. Therefore, the introduction of beneficial bacterial species to the GI tract may be a very attractive option to re-establish the microbial equilibrium and prevent disease.”

Amongst the many health benefits of consuming sauerkraut juice related to the huge consumption of probiotics are the following:

  • lowering the chances of brain disorders and mental illness
  • lower the risk of possible digestive disorders (leaky gut syndrome, ulcerative colitis etc.)
  • mood disorders (depression and anxiety)
  • treating symptoms of asthma
  • food allergies and sensitivities
  • metabolic conditions such as diabetes
  • obesity or weight gain
  • various autoimmune diseases

Other beneficial properties of sauerkraut juice are related to the presence of “good bacteria” in the gut, which is very important for the health of you brain, hormonal levels, heart condition, kidney function and all other digestive organs. The newest scientific facts provide us with the next very usefull information regarding the probiotic properties of sauerkraut juice:

  • improves the immune system
  • aiding digestion
  • detoxifies the body, helping the prevention of infection
  • helps brain function and cognitive health (associated with the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia)

Sauerkraut juice – cancer fighting probiotic

Studies have shown that among other, several compounds in the sauerkraut juice can offer protection against cancer, compounds like Lactobacillus, izothiocyanate and sulphoraphane. The lactobacillus may be responsible for the prohibition of formation of tumors, and may offer many other anti-cancer benefits. The other two compounds, izothiocyanate and sulphoraphane may inhibit the formation of cancerous tumors preventing the development of certain cancers. Also, when digesting sauerkraut, Diindolylmethane (DIM) is produced in our stomach, and this compound, as shown in a study by the journal BMC Gastroenterology in May 2009, may be responsible for anti-cancer effects in vivo and in vitro models. Many studies also show that the number of colon tumors has been remarkably decreased in AOM/DSS mice (mice treated with genotoxic agents). There is no argue that DIM is a significant anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory compound, and the sauerkraut juice is an excellent source for the production of this substance.

Regardless of the number of benefits of sauerkraut juice, have in mind that there are no serious side-effects of the consumption, so feel free and make your own, or buy form the market, and enjoy at least one glass per day.

SHARE
I'm NOT a doctor! I'm just passionate about health and healthy leaving. The information on this website, such as graphics, images, text and all other materials, is provided for reference and educational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. The content is not intended to be complete or exhaustive or to apply to any specific individual's medical condition.