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The Super Superfood You re Probably Not Eating

Five good reasons to add sauerkraut to your diet

Researchers also found that sauerkraut can reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Getty Images . And vitamin C — a superstar antioxidant — helps protect the body from stress and free radical damage. Other healthy nutrients in sauerkraut include vitamin K, known for its role in blood clotting, as well as calcium, potassium and phosphorus. An added bonus is that fermentation makes these nutrients easier for your body to absorb. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. 2. Sauerkraut boosts your digestive system. Sauerkraut is ripe with probiotic power, or beneficial bacteria that wards off toxins and not-so-beneficial bacteria. In short, probiotics actually feed the good bacteria in your gut, which leads . Probiotics also have been shown to lessen gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation and symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease and . 3. Sauerkraut could help you lose weight. Like most vegetables, sauerkraut is a low-calorie food with a lot of fiber. As such, it can make you feel fuller for longer, which could help with . With only 15 calories in two-thirds of a cup, sauerkraut is the perfect snack when you get hungry between meals. 4. Sauerkraut may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s. Study after study shows a connection between the health of the gut and the health of the brain. Indeed, recent research out of Lund University in Sweden found that unhealthy intestinal flora could speed up the development of . Furthermore, research performed on mice demonstrates that probiotics can positively affect one’s memory. 5. Sauerkraut is good for your heart. Researchers have found that sauerkraut can reduce while significantly boosting levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione — two beneficial antioxidants. These antioxidants help get rid of harmful free radicals that can damage heart and blood vessels. In addition, the fiber in sauerkraut will help get rid of the cholesterol on the walls of arteries and blood vessels by binding with the fats and cholesterol and carrying them out of the body. The result: less cholesterol absorbed in the bloodstream. Despite all of the above, one caveat: Since sauerkraut is fermented with salt, it’s high in sodium. So you don’t want to overdo it. Buying a low-sodium brand will help. If you’d like to make your own, . AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS