How Sauerkraut Could Help With A Hangover
Sauerkraut is a type of fermented cabbage that dates back thousands of years. While most people associate the pickled dish with German cuisine or Reuben sandwiches, sauerkraut actually originated in China, where cabbage was fermented in rice wine for winter consumption. From there, it's said that Genghis Khan and his men brought sauerkraut to Europe, where it continued to spread throughout the world (via Illinois Extension). Today, it's estimated that Americans consume 387 million pounds of sauerkraut per year. That's a lot of cabbage.
Not only is sauerkraut an ancient food, but it's also touted for its numerous health benefits. Healthline shares that eating sauerkraut can improve your digestion, boost your immune system, improve your brain and heart health, strengthen your bones, and even reduce the risk of cancer. One lesser known benefit of the fermented cabbage? After a night of bar hopping, it can also help you get over a hangover.
The secret behind sauerkraut's hangover cure
Of course, there are countless supposed ingestible remedies for hangovers, including bananas, coffee, Pedialyte, nuts, eggs, and more. Every bartender and seasoned partygoer seems to have their sworn-by cure. Whatever method you choose, Cleveland Clinic explains that the basic idea is that when you're hungover, your body is in need of rapid hydration and restoration of nutrients and electrolytes. So, if you wake up after too many shots of tequila, it's time to pay attention to feeding your body what it needs.
That's where sauerkraut comes in. With its wealth of gut-friendly probiotics and B and C vitamins, pickled cabbage helps nourish the body while also aiding in digestion, which is great when you're battling nausea (via Women's Health.) Even better, sauerkraut is known to have mood-boosting properties, according to BBC Good Food. Hopefully, eating a little of the tangy cabbage the next time you wake up with a post-celebratory headache will even help counteract the sour mood a hangover can bring with it.