Does sauerkraut increase or decrease blood pressure, contraindications and how to use it

28.10.2018

A.A.

(Last update: 10/05/2021)

There are contraindications. Specialist consultation required

Hypertension is quite insidious, and it is necessary to treat it comprehensively to achieve the best result. In addition to medical therapy, you need to properly organize your diet and choose only those foods that will have a positive effect on the body. So, your diet should definitely include sauerkraut.

The benefits of sauerkraut

According to generally accepted opinion, sauerkraut is a popular product on our table. But, nevertheless, cabbage was fermented in ancient times in China and Korea. This is explained by the fact that this product has a very rich and valuable composition.

Proponents of a healthy diet consider sauerkraut a valuable source of vitamin C, which is a catalyst in many metabolic processes in our body, and also has a beneficial effect on the immune system.

Do not self-medicate. Consult a specialist:

This product contains:

• Fat-soluble vitamins;
• Beneficial bacteria;
• B vitamins;
• Minerals.

Vitamin U is especially valuable, as it helps restore the mucous membrane in the stomach. Also, while taking sauerkraut, digestion is significantly improved and the balance of microflora in the intestines is normalized.

Sauerkraut can be taken by people suffering from diabetes, since it does not have a significant effect on blood sugar levels.

You get promotional code OZON - 300 points for your first order. OZONAPIE1I (applied in the cart)

Chemical composition and calorie content

Preparing sauerkraut involves salting it with a further fermentation process, which results in the formation of lactic and acetic acids and softening of the fiber.

Did you know? The dish was invented in China, originally cabbage was fermented in sour rice wine. This salad was part of the diet of the Chinese who participated in the construction of the Great Wall of China.

In addition to useful acids, the product contains large quantities of the basic and most necessary vitamins for the body: A, B, C (cabbage contains more vitamin C than the same amount of lemon). In addition, during the fermentation process, the salad is enriched with macro- and microelements such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, aluminum, boron, iron, iodine.

Sauerkraut is a low-calorie product; 100 grams of the product contains only 26 kcal, which is less than 2% of the average daily human requirement

Sauerkraut and pressure

This valuable product has numerous beneficial properties, so it will also be useful for hypertensive patients. The high content of nutrients in cabbage will help cope with some chronic processes and give vitality. This effect is also ensured due to the fact that against the background of good digestion, vitamins and minerals are much better absorbed.

Cabbage juice helps lower blood pressure. The hypotensive effect is achieved due to the fact that the active components of cabbage help reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood. This also ensures better nutrition of the heart muscle. Some doctors recommend drinking juice to prevent atherosclerosis.

In this case, the fact how the cabbage was originally prepared is of great importance. This will determine how much nutrients will be retained and, accordingly, whether there will be any benefit. To increase the vitamin content of white cabbage, you can add carrots, apples, and cranberries.

Nutritionists also recommend cabbage as a source of fiber. It is especially valuable for cleansing the intestines of waste and toxins. As you know, they, in turn, can seriously clog the blood. This also reduces overall inflammation in tissues and improves metabolism.

The role of nutrition in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases

Proper nutrition is the basis for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. All kinds of modern medicines, of course, help, but their effect will be nullified if you do not change your unhealthy lifestyle and continue to eat harmful foods.

The diet may have the following clinical effects:

• using the right products you can regulate acidity;
• activate and normalize gastric motility;
• improve digestive function;
• cleansing;
• mucosal regeneration;

Sauerkraut increases or decreases blood pressure

Many people want to know for sure whether there is a risk from consuming sauerkraut if they are prone to hypertensive crises. In fact, the rich composition will only improve your well-being, increase the elasticity of blood vessels and even calm the nervous system due to the large amount of magnesium contained in the juice. This mineral reduces the risk of myocardial infarction, helps cope with insomnia and improves kidney excretory function.

The vitamins in white cabbage and its juice also have a beneficial effect on blood circulation, vascular nutrition and cellular metabolism. Without this, normal functioning of the heart and other organs is impossible. Against this background, a diuretic and cardioprotective effect is also provided.

White cabbage helps dissolve and remove bile acids from the body. When in excess, they negatively affect the nervous system, causing hyperexcitability. Also, daily inclusion of sauerkraut in the diet will be an excellent prevention of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Adding sauerkraut to various dishes can also significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer. Thus, according to studies conducted in laboratory conditions, the growth of cancer cells was suppressed in hamsters fed cabbage.

But any cabbage, even stewed and boiled, will be useful in the diet. The main thing is that there is no excess salt in the finished dish. The latter contributes to fluid retention in the body and puts a heavy burden on the kidneys. This organ, as is known, is already overloaded with arterial hypertension.

It is advisable to prepare fresh salads without adding any salt. It is advisable for hypertensive patients to eat as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible. These products enrich the body with nutrients, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and create a slight diuretic effect, thereby reducing blood pressure.

Heavy foods for the stomach

Below is a list of foods that are not good for the stomach. They can irritate the walls and lead to painful conditions of the digestive organs and the formation of ulcers, bloating, pain, difficult digestion, and heartburn. These products include:

• fast food;
• fatty food;
• fried foods;
• very spicy food;
• high consumption of herbs and spices;
• low-quality products (spoiled);
• alcohol and soda;

When should you not eat sauerkraut if you have hypertension?

There are a number of diseases for which it is undesirable and completely contraindicated to eat sauerkraut. This is due to the fact that it contains a large amount of lactic acid. So, with some metabolic diseases, it can accumulate in the body and cause joint diseases, as well as muscle weakness.

Those who have a history of thyroid disease and urolithiasis should not include sauerkraut in their daily diet. In addition, sauerkraut can worsen kidney failure. If gastritis occurs in an acute period, then you should also avoid eating cabbage.

Possible harm to vegetables

Like any other product, sauerkraut can be not only healthy, but also harmful. For example, doctors do not recommend getting carried away with its use by people with gastritis or high acidity.

When asked by patients whether cabbage increases or decreases blood pressure, doctors do not always give a definite answer. It all depends on the method of preparing the vegetable. If the chopped leaves were placed in a container for fermentation and sprinkled with salt, then such a product is undesirable in the diet of people with pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.

Salted cabbage has a negative effect on pathologies of the urinary system. Snacks are prohibited for patients with chronic pyelonephritis and urolithiasis. In case of gout, its use may cause an exacerbation.

Recipes for cooking cabbage to lower blood pressure

In order for food to be only beneficial, you need to treat the cooking process itself correctly. There are a large number of dishes that include cabbage, both pickled and fresh white cabbage.

Summer borscht

Summer borscht is very popular on our table. In addition to cabbage, you will need a large number of vegetables and other products to prepare it.

For borscht you need:

• Flour (lightly toasted);
• Butter or vegetable oil (can be combined);
• Sour cream;
• Potato;
• Boiled beans;
• Tomato juice or paste;
• Greens (dill, parsley);
• Spices (black pepper, bay leaf, celery, garlic);
• Carrot;
• Bulb onions;
• Bell pepper;
• Beet.

For the vegetable broth, boil potatoes cut into slices with carrots and onions. You can add boiled beans. At the end of cooking, add sweet peppers and cabbage, cut into strips. To make the borscht tasty, you must fry it in a frying pan. Simmer chopped root vegetables (onions, carrots, beets, celery) in oil. To make the borscht rich, you can add a tablespoon of wheat flour fried in a dry frying pan. At the end, add tomato paste or juice, boil and pour the contents of the frying pan into the pan. For a more pronounced aroma, you can add chopped garlic and herbs “under the lid”. Let it brew for at least half an hour. When serving, top with sour cream.

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is also suitable for many dishes and as a main product. To prepare a proven recipe, take 3 kg of white cabbage and one large carrot. You will also definitely need spices (bay leaf and black peppercorns); many people prefer to add cranberries or sour apples to the recipe.

When choosing cabbage, it should be quite dense, this will indicate its freshness, as well as juiciness. It is first cleaned of bad leaves and washed well. Then they chop into small strips; the carrots must be grated on a coarse grater.

The resulting crushed mass is mixed well, salt is added at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 kg of cabbage. Next, the cabbage is left in a glass or ceramic container for several days so that it releases its juice. It must be compacted very tightly in the jar; it is also good to use pressure. Periodically, the kaputa must be pierced with a wooden stick to ensure uniform fermentation.

The temperature for fermentation should be room temperature. On average, the product will be ready for consumption after three days, when the release of carbon dioxide is felt. Sauerkraut can be added to salads, vinaigrettes and cabbage soup, and used as a filling for pies and dumplings.

Meat with vegetables

Very tasty and healthy recipes are those that combine meat with vegetables. Hypertensive patients should choose low-fat and easily digestible varieties, such as beef.

The piece of meat must be washed well and then cut, after which it is placed in a pan for stewing. Vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, zucchini and rutabaga are cut separately. It is advisable to boil the potatoes separately so that other vegetables do not have to simmer for a long time. Meat and vegetables are served on the table, previously poured with sour cream and sprinkled with herbs.

Prevention of hypertension

As already mentioned, nutrition is of great importance in the treatment of any disease. Hypertensive patients should choose only high-quality, lean and healthy products. Your daily diet should include a large amount of fruits and vegetables, but you should avoid eating saturated fats, smoked foods and sugar.

Full physical activity plays an important role in the treatment of hypertension. If you pay attention to sports such as running (vigorous walking), cycling and swimming, your overall well-being will significantly improve. Such exercises will help speed up general blood circulation and metabolic processes. It is also important not to forget about a proper drinking regime.

Drug therapy for hypertension is the most important and key point. When the first signs appear, you should definitely seek medical help. We must also not forget that many neglected chronic processes can trigger the onset of arterial hypertension.

Many hypertensive patients wonder whether it is possible to eat sauerkraut with hypertension. After all, this product is always present on our table and is very popular. Sauerkraut will be useful for hypertension; the main thing when preparing it is to follow your salt allowance and know in moderation in everything.

Foods that are good for the stomach and stimulate the gastrointestinal tract

In some patients, most often the elderly, intestinal motility deteriorates and the person begins to suffer from constant constipation. But there are foods whose consumption stimulates gastric and intestinal motility, which improves digestion and reduces the likelihood of constipation. These foods that are good for the stomach include:

• Fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese).
• Vegetables: pumpkin, beets, carrots, sauerkraut. You can have vegetable soups, but only without meat.
• Fruits: melon, apple, plum.
• Berries and jam from them.
• Scrambled eggs.
• Honey.
• Various porridges on the water.