(NaturalNews) People are catching on to the fact that probiotics are an essential requirement for living a healthy life. With over 100 trillion bacteria in the body, the proper balance of these bacteria is paramount to good health. But what is the most superior source of probiotics, and how much better is it than the most popular form of probiotics taken today?

Sauerkraut: the probiotic king

This planet has been graced with a bounty that can help heal all kinds of diseases that are created due to toxins and malnourishment. Understanding how to use these foods properly is a vitally important piece in an overall lifestyle plan, as well as which ones to use in order to solve the most concerning health problems evident today.

If there were one health concern that requires serious attention right now, it would be a damaged digestive system. The "gateway to health" has been seriously abused through antibiotics, prescription drugs, heavy metal intake, processed foods and a lack of fresh, organic produce containing beneficial enzymes and probiotics.

This is where sauerkraut, the probiotic king, reigns supreme. Due to its nutrient- and digestive-friendly content, it is quite possibly the single most important thing one can do for their health on a daily basis.

Some of the nutritive benefits of sauerkraut include:

• Vitamin B1, B6, B9, C and K
• Manganese, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron
• A great source of dietary fiber
• An excellent source of antioxidants and phytonutrients
• Rich in indole-3-carbinol (a known cancer fighter and toxin remover)

Most importantly, sauerkraut is the superior source of LIVE probiotics and enzymes, and due to its pre-digested state brought on by the fermentation process, these nutrients are highly bioavailable to the body.

Sauerkraut versus probiotic capsules

Making sauerkraut is an age-old process that produces a taste profile that is considered unpalatable to many. The sour characteristics are noticeably different from the sugar addiction which society has grown accustomed to, and as a result most have opted for probiotic capsules in order to get the good bacteria without having to ingest what is typically a shunned food.

Unfortunately, the two formats are not comparable, and recent research has proved it.

A 4-6-ounce serving of homemade sauerkraut that was recently analyzed in a lab showed that it contained literally 10 trillion bacteria! To provide perspective, 2 ounces of raw sauerkraut made at home had more probiotics than a 100-count bottle of probiotic capsules. To look at it another way, 16 ounces (2 cups) of sauerkraut is equal to eight bottles of probiotics! Even one of the more popular and potent brands of probiotics "only" provide 50 billion active bacteria in a 3.5-ounce bottle.

To date, studies have only been done on the quantity, with current analysis now focusing on the different types of bacteria existing in fresh, raw sauerkraut.

When considering how big of a revelation this is for one's health, keep in mind that, with each mouthful of raw homemade sauerkraut, one is consuming trillions of beneficial microbes, which kill pathogens in the gut and restore the beneficial flora that are the primary factors in good digestive health. This is easily one of the best and simplest things one can do for their overall health.

It's also important to note that sauerkraut made at home is by far the most preferred method for live probiotic count. This is primarily due to the fact that it is typically raw (not pasteurized), which significantly increases the number of probiotics.

Ready to get started? A recipe for homemade sauerkraut is in the first source below. Enjoy!

Sources for this article include:

http://www.healingthebody.ca

http://nourishingplot.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.sfgate.com

About the author:
Derek Henry took a deadly health challenge that conventional medicine couldn't solve and self-directed a one-in-a-million health journey that found him happier and healthier than he had been in his entire life. As a result of this rewarding journey, he now spends his time writing, coaching, and educating thousands of people each month who want to enjoy similar results under their own direction.

Find out how you can reverse disease and thrive with a holistic approach.