Sauerkraut and it’s Medicinal Qualities

In Girl in the Glass, when Declan rides in the belly of a German vehicle, he laments the lack of space.

“Not much room for stretching out,” the professor decided. “My bum leg isn’t going to appreciate this. Germans must not get leg cramps.”

“Maybe that’s why they eat so much sauerkraut,” James remarked, “it’s an old-timey remedy for muscle spasms.

James is correct. Sauerkraut, particularly its brine juice, helps with muscle cramps due to its high electrolyte content, especially sodium and potassium. These electrolytes are crucial for proper muscle function and hydration, and their loss through sweat contributes to cramping.

You may not be aware, but sauerkraut has even more profound medicinal benefits. As a good source of Vitamin C, sauerkraut can also prevent scurvy. Scurvy is caused by low Vitamin C, and signs and symptoms include swollen, bleeding gums, anemia, bleeding, bruising, and impaired wound healing.

Captain James Cook (he discovered Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii) famously used sauerkraut on his long voyages to prevent scurvy among his crew. And while the term “Kraut” is considered derogatory, especially used by non-German speakers, the term was derived from the popularity of fermented cabbage as a traditional German dish. The association with the easily recognized German food made it a convenient nickname during wartime.

Swollen, bleeding gums of a scurvy mouth