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Which one is the best for the intestine?

Key similarities and differences
Sauerkraut Kimchi
Origins Of China but associated with German cuisine Korea
Ingredients Green or red and salt cabbage, sometimes carvi seeds Cabbage, radishes, ginger, spring onions, fish paste and more
Taste Tangy or acidic Spicy and salty (but varied)
Common probiotic content Leuconostoc,, Lactobacillus, pediococcus Bacillus, Leuconostoc,, Lactobacillus, Weissella

What is in everyone who can affect intestinal health?

Sauerkraut and kimchi are both produced by fermentation by probiotic bacteria and are rich in fiber (a source of prebioticswhich nourishes beneficial bacteria in the intestine).

Sauerkraut

The sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage which is from China but is generally associated with German cuisine.

The sauerkraut is made in a single step, adding salt to the grated cabbage and letting it ferment. The salt pulls the liquid from the cabbage. Keep the mixture in an airtight container creates an anaerobic environment (where no air is present), which encourages the growth of lactic bacteria.

Because it is made from cabbage, sauerkraut contains prebiotics and antioxidants, as follows:

  • Prebiotics are food for good bacteria that live in the digestive tract.
  • Antioxidants Neutralize natural free radicals in the body, which are highly reactive molecules which can damage DNA.

The sauerkraut also generally contains probiotics. Probiotics are living organisms that can help populate the intestinal microbiome (the community of microorganisms in the digestive tract).

Commercial sauerkraut can be pasteurized (heated to kill the microbes). If you want a product with probiotics, it is essential to read the label and search for the words “living organisms”.

Kimchi

Kimchi is a traditional Korean cuisine. These are fermented vegetables, generally made from cabbage or radish. Similar to sauerkraut, kimchi is the cabbage or radish fermented with salt in an anaerobic environment.

The main difference with sauerkraut is that Kimchi incorporates a variety of spices or seasonings for more flavor. Some additives are red pepper, garlic, ginger, green onion, radish in slices, salt or sugar.

Kimchi is made using more steps than sauerkraut, including:

  1. Brimi: The vegetable is combined with salt and allowed to sit for three to four hours before being rinsed.
  2. Seasoning: The seasonings are added to the mixture of brine.
  3. Fermentation: After Saumousant, the mixture ferments at room temperature for one to two days or three to four days in the refrigerator.

Kimchi also contains prebiotics, probiotics and antioxidants, the composition of which will vary depending on the ingredients used in the mixture.

How do their probiotics compare?

Probiotic strains vary in sauerkraut and kimchi depending on how they are fermented and pasteurized. The quantity of microbes in probiotic foods or supplements is measured in the form of colonial formation units (CFU).

CFUS in foods and probiotic supplements in billion. Having more CFUs is not always better, and that does not mean that a food or a supplement offers more health benefits.

Sauerkraut

The sauerkraut contains strains of bacteria from various families, including Bifidobacterium,, Enterococcus,, Lactobacillus,, Staphylococcus,, Weissella,, LactococcusAnd Enterobacteriaceae. It can include between 2 and 8 billion CFUs.

Kimchi

Kimchi contains strains of Bacillus,, Leuconostoc,, Weissella,, LactobacillusAnd Pediococcus. A study shows that Kimchi contains between 7 billion and 9 billion CFUs. Eating kimchi can change a person’s microbiome by adding these stumps.

Kimchi can contain a greater variety of probiotic species than sauerkraut. Indeed, Kimchi includes other ingredients, some of which can bring their own variety of probiotic strains.

What are the health effects of sauerkraut and kimchi?

Research studies show that the probiotic content of Kimchi and sauerkraut affects the microbiome. The consumption of probiotic foods regularly can have certain health benefits, although it is always a field of research.

Sauerkraut

Studies have found advantages for people with the following conditions:

  • Irritable colon syndrome (IBS): In a study, people with SCI (a condition of abdominal pain with constipation and / or diarrhea) have eaten 75 grams (g) from sauerkraut daily. The participants of a group ate sauerkraut with active bacteria, while the other participants ate pasteurized sauerkraut without active bacteria. The two groups thought that sauerkraut improved the symptoms of IBS. The group of active bacteria has also shown changes in their microbiome.
  • Risk of breast cancer: A study on Poland immigrants in the United States has shown that sauerkraut affects the risk of breast cancer. Women who ate cabbage and / or sauerkraut in adolescence and adults had lower risk of breast cancer in adulthood.

Kimchi

Kimchi’s studies have found advantages for people suffering from the following conditions:

  • Colon polyps: In a study, the consumption of Kimchi for 10 weeks has increased the diversity of microbiomas and inhibited the formation of colon polyp (growth which can become cancerous).
  • High cholesterol: Eating Kimchi for 28 days has reduced cholesterol levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL-C) and increased levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). These two effects are desirable to reduce heart health risks.
  • Excess weight:: In a third study, 150 grams of Kimchi have an anti-obesity effect in the prevention of weight gain. Those who ate Kimchi had a lower increase in their body mass index (BMI).
  • Inflammation: Studies on Kimchi also show that it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Nutritional comparison

The nutritional content of sauerkraut and kimchi vary according to the producer, but the following shows the analysis of certain typical types. Check the label for details when purchasing.

Nutrients by cup Sauerkraut Kimchi
Calories 27 23
Protein 1.3 g 1.7 g
Carbohydrates 6.1 g 3.6 g
Fiber 4.1 g 2.4 g
Fat 0.2 g 0.75 g
Sodium 939 milligrams (MG) 747 mg

Note that sauerkraut and kimchi are both high sodium content (salt). People with high blood pressure or heart disease should limit their sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg per day, while those without these conditions should consume less than 2,300 mg per day.

Main to remember

  • The sauerkraut and kimchi both contain probiotics, but Kimchi often contains a greater diversity of bacteria.
  • Studies on the health effects of sauerkraut and kimchi are preliminary, but it seems that the two modify the composition of the intestinal microbiome.
  • The sauerkraut and kimchi both contain antioxidants and prebiotic fibers, which are beneficial for health.
Very well health uses only high -quality sources, including studies evaluated by peers, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to find out more about how we check the facts and keep our content precise, reliable and trustworthy.
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  2. Harvard Health Publishing. Nourish your intestine.

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  4. Colorado State University. Understand and do Kimchi.

  5. World Foundation for Research and Antibiotic Development. Colonial formation unit (CFU).

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  9. Shahbazi R, Sharifzad F, Bagheri R, et al. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of fermented plant foods. Nutrients. 2021; 13 (5): 1516. Doi: 10.3390 / naked13051516

  10. Nielsen es, garnås e, Jensen KJ, et al. Lacto -fermented sauerkraut improves the symptoms of patients with SCI regardless of product pasteurization – a pilot study. FUNCT FUNCT. 2018; 9 (10): 5323-5335. DOI: 10.1039 / C8FO00968F

  11. Pathak Dr, Stein Ad, He JP, et al. Consumption of cabbage and sauerkraut as adolescence and the risk of adulthood and breast cancer in American -resident -resident migrant women. Int j around public health. 2021; 18 (20): 10795. Doi: 10.3390 / IIERPH182010795

  12. Central fooddata. American department of agriculture. Sauerkraut, canned, solid and liquid.

  13. Central fooddata. American department of agriculture. Kimchi.

  14. American food and drug administration. Sodium in your diet.


By Amber J. Tresca

Tresca is a writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including the MII. She received a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis at the age of 16.

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