Sauerkraut is a good source of probiotic bacteria. These bacteria help populate your digestive tract, which helps improve your overall digestive health. This benefit, alone, is a great reason to eat more sauerkraut. However, improved digestive health is not the only benefit of sauerkraut. Here are some other health benefits you can look forward to should you choose to include more of this fermented cabbage in your diet.

Improved Immunity

The probiotic bacteria in sauerkraut are also good for your immune system. Some of these bacteria can actually help fight off pathogens, like bacteria and viruses, on their own. This means that your immune system won't have as much work to do. Sauerkraut is also a good source of vitamin C, a vitamin that plays an important role in boosting the immune system. Eating more sauerkraut during cold and flu season is definitely a smart choice.

Clear Skin

If you struggle with acne, eating more sauerkraut may help. The probiotics in the sauerkraut may help keep the levels of pathogenic bacteria in your body down, which can help thwart breakouts. Vitamins K and C in sauerkraut have also been known to be good for your skin. If your skin is healthy, it will be better able to avoid blemishes and also heal from any current ones. Some people with eczema also find that eating sauerkraut helps.

Weight Maintenance

Eating sauerkraut alone won't make you magically lose weight, but adding sauerkraut to a current diet and exercise routine can help make that routine more effective. The fiber in sauerkraut helps you feel more full, which makes you less likely to overeat. Probiotics can also help regulate your appetite over time. Plus, sauerkraut itself is a low-calorie food, so if you use it in place of other, higher-calorie condiments, like mayonnaise or ranch dressing, this can help you lose weight.

Improved Energy

Sauerkraut includes a variety of nutrients that can help you feel more energetic. It's a good source of potassium, an electrolyte that many people don't get enough of. Eating more potassium can help you remain more energized in hot weather. Sauerkraut is also a good source of iron. If your iron levels are low, you'll feel fatigued, but sauerkraut can help build your levels back up.

Sauerkraut is a great addition to most diets. The benefits listed above are the more common ones, but there are others you're likely to experience, too. Keep these tips in mind when shopping for sauerkraut in stores, like Fermentools, near you.