This is What Happens to Your Body When You Mix Turmeric with Sauerkraut

This is What Happens to Your Body When You Mix Turmeric with Sauerkraut

TURMERIC

Turmeric is a superfood that deserves to be in the spotlight due to its numerous health benefits. On PubMed alone, this healing ancient spice (together with its active ingredient curcumin) has been the star in more than 2000 studies. The majority of those studies have shown that turmeric can be used in the treatment of many health problems, including inflammation, pain, depression, IBD, diabetes, and even cancer.

But, with so much information on the internet about turmeric, sometimes it is difficult to determine how to use this spice? Is there a right way?

Continue reading to find out the answers to these questions…..

1. Most experts agree that the best way to use turmeric is in its most natural forms (whole root or organic turmeric powder) – before it has been processed into extracts and isolates. These are the best options because they allow us to get the most of the health benefits of this healing spice.
2. You will also need healthy saturated fats to absorb the active curcumin in turmeric. For that reason, it is recommended to use fresh organic whole root (or organic turmeric powder) in combination with coconut oil, grass-fed butter, ghee or sustainable palm oil.
3. It is also important to always pair turmeric with black pepper as the piperine (an alkaloid responsible for the pungency in black pepper) within significantly enhances the absorption and increases the bioavailability of turmeric.
4. The final “secret” is to eat your turmeric fermented. According to a study published in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology, the bioavailability of curcumin is further increased when it is fermented. Also, we should not forget that fermented foods significantly improve digestion. So, when your GI tract is not functioning properly (you get bloated, have food intolerances, diarrhea, constipation, or acid reflux), using fermented turmeric will provide a major boost to your digestion due to its beneficial compounds that can be easily absorbed.

What’s the benefit of fermentation again?

Fermentation is something that has been practiced for thousands of years. This simple and natural process extends the shelf life of the food and creates beneficial enzymes, minerals, antioxidants, b-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and various strains of probiotics.

Regular consumption of fermented foods is an easy way which ensures that you are getting the highest nutritional value from your whole foods. In addition to this, it also promotes the growth of healthy intestinal flora, which helps to build a healthy gut and stronger immune system.

Homemade Turmeric Sauerkraut

All these beneficial properties of fermented foods can be enhanced even more by adding turmeric. For that reason, we will present you a recipe for a homemade turmeric sauerkraut, a fermented food with very high nutrient content.

THE RECIPE: Makes 1-2 large jars

Ingredients:

• 1 medium cabbage, shredded
• 4 tablespoons of fresh turmeric root (grated or shredded)
• 1/8/1-4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of fine Himalayan salt

You will also need the following tools:

• Gloves
• Chef knife
• Cutting board
• Large bowl

Instructions:

1. Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage and slice into quarters. Then, cut out the thick core and continue to shred the cabbage into very long and thin slices (you can do that with your hands or you can use a food processor).
2. Toss your cabbage into a large glass or stainless steel mixing bowl and sprinkle the salt. After that, put on gloves and start to squeeze, knead and massage the cabbage until it becomes limp and juicy. This process is very important because it breaks up the cellular structure of cabbages! You will need about 5 minutes of intense massaging to remove the liquid out of the cabbage.
3. When you notice bubbles and a pool of juice, add the pepper and turmeric and mix well again.
4. After that, you should pack the juicy cabbage into a large glass mason jar or a fermentation crock. Pack the cabbage as tightly as you can, using a sauerkraut pounder. Note that the juice must cover the cabbage completely – this is a crucial step for a successful fermentation.
5. If you use a mason jar, now is the time to screw on a kraut kap (a better option than regular lid), which is designed to create an anaerobic environment that prevents the growth of bad bacteria.
6. Store your turmeric sauerkraut at room temperature in a dark space to ferment. It is recommended to put a mason jar filled with water or fermenting rock on the kraut in order to keep the kraut weighed down. If not, you will need to open the lid and push it downwards, which disrupts the fermentation process.
7. Leave to ferment for at least 4 weeks and for up to 6 months – the longer you leave it the stronger it will be.

After that, you can keep the sauerkraut at room temperature and consume it for up to 8-weeks, or you can place it in the refrigerator, which increases its shelf life for up to 6 months.

NOTES:

• Don’t forget to drink the juice (served in a shot glass)! You can also add it to your salad dressings.
• If a scum is floating in the brine of your sauerkraut, simply remove it using a spoon. Solid materials need to be fully submerged in the water, otherwise, bad bacteria will form. The ingredients below the liquid will not be affected by any ‘mean’ microbes which may be multiplying above the liquid. Using a fermenting crock or mason jars with proper kraut lids completely eliminates the risk of any microbial contamination.
• Fermentation is an art, so if your sauerkraut smells bad, and tastes bad, then you should get rid of it immediately!

Source: http://theheartysoul.com/turmeric-sauerkraut-health-boost/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=curcumin%20turmeric

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9619120

http://www.nourishingtreasures.com/index.php/2013/01/22/bustin-the-myth-of-the-3-day-kraut-p-s-dont-refrigerate-it-either/

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Original article and pictures take movingtoorganic.com site