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Basil oil is extracted from basil leaves and flowers. What is little known: it has been used in areas other than the kitchen for thousands of years and has many healing effects.

The application of basil oil

Basil originally comes from India. Basil oil is widely used in Ayurvedic cuisine and medicine. It tastes good in dishes such as tomato and mozzarella salad. But you can also use it as a remedy.

Add 2-3 drops of basil oil to your tea. You can increase the effect if you also add a spoonful of honey. This should help with bronchial diseases, colds or digestive problems, for example.
You can also inhale with it, which is supposed to relieve irritable bowel syndrome and help against mental tension and nervousness. Put a few drops of oil in hot water and inhale the steam, for example under a towel.
Basil oil has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects in various areas, which various studies show.
Caution: Do not apply the oil directly to the skin. This can cause skin irritation. You can mix it with a mild olive oil or sunflower oil, for example. Basil oil should not be used during pregnancy as a study has shown that it can promote labor.

Basil oil is also often found in the following products:
in fragrance lamps
in cosmetic products
in perfumes (due to its spicy scent)
in massage oils
as compress applications
bath additive. A warm bath with basil oil is recommended for menstrual pain, for example.

Other effects of basil oil

Basil oil is said to have the following effects:
antispasmodic
calming
balancing and strengthening for the nerves, i.e. a natural nerve tonic
pain relieving
increases blood circulation
antibacterial and expectorant, which is why it is used for acne, colds and coughs
stimulates gastric juice production and thus promotes digestion
detoxifying
strengthens the formation of anti-stress hormones, which is said to have an antidepressant and memory-promoting effect
acute against headaches, for example you can mix it with oil or cream on your temples
stimulates the formation of female hormones and is said to help with hormonal imbalances and irregular menstruation
Only a few studies can be found on the effects, which is why the statements can only be made relatively. If you have symptoms, you should not rely solely on the effects of basil oil.

How to make basil oil

You can also make the basil oil yourself. It is then not the essential oil, but an oil enriched with basil. You can also use the homemade oil internally and externally, or use it to serve in salads.

For production you need:
1 clean bottle or a large jar
2 handfuls of chopped basil leaves and stalks
cold-pressed olive oil or sunflower oil
How to make basil oil yourself:
Put the basil in the bottle or jar.
Cover the basil completely with the oil. This is important, otherwise it can become moldy.
Swirl the oil once a day for four weeks.
After four weeks you can filter it and keep it in a dark bottle for about a week.

Rosemary tea not only tastes delicious, but also has a positive effect on your body and mind. In this article you can read how to prepare the healthy tea and how it works.

Nowadays, rosemary is mainly known as a spice. Rosemary is much more than a tasty kitchen herb that goes well with potatoes. Rosemary was already valued as a medicinal plant by the Greeks and Romans. Rightly so, as modern research shows. The healing properties of rosemary are versatile.

A popular way to benefit from the health benefits of rosemary is with rosemary tea. Here you can read how rosemary tea works and how to prepare the tea.

This is how rosemary tea works

Various essential oils are primarily responsible for the effect of rosemary tea. Furthermore, depending on the location, the following active ingredients are included:
Tannins such as rosmarinic acid
Diterpenes such as carnosic acid
flavonoids
glycolic acid
saponins
antioxidants
Rosemary has a variety of positive effects on our body, as various studies have shown:
Antioxidant: Researchers from Basel examined the antioxidant effect of rosemary in a comprehensive study in 2018. Antioxidants support your body in cell renewal, fight oxidative stress and free radicals.
Antibacterial: The same study also found that the active compounds in rosemary successfully eliminated various strains of bacteria, such as E. choli, in the laboratory.
Anti-cancerous: In the laboratory and in the first animal experiments, the active ingredients of rosemary were able to demonstrably inhibit the growth of tumor cells and thus reduce the size of tumors.
digestive: In addition, the ingredients have a positive effect on our digestion. Rosemary can relieve bloating and flatulence.
Stimulates blood circulation: Our circulation and blood flow can also benefit from rosemary.
Diuretic: Rosemary has also been shown to have a slightly diuretic effect. This can be used especially in the treatment of cystitis.
For the medicinal effects of rosemary, you can use rosemary oil as well as rosemary tea.

Rosemary tea for your memory

Not only the body can benefit from the healthy ingredients of rosemary. The effect of rosemary is also beneficial for our mind:
The carnosic acid it contains fights free radicals and toxins in the brain that are associated with the development of dementia. It contributes to the health of the human brain, as researchers at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research found.
In further investigations, researchers were able to prove in experiments with humans that 1,8-cineole, the main component of the essential oil in rosemary, has a positive effect on cognitive performance simply by absorbing it through smell and nose.
A study from 2016 therefore dealt with the therapeutic potential of rosemary in Alzheimer’s disease. Since the causes of dementia are still not fully understood scientifically, further research is required. Results so far indicate that rosemary could be a valuable component in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
A study with students in 2018 not only found improved memory performance, but also a positive influence of rosemary on anxiety and depression. The quality of the subjects’ sleep could also be increased by rosemary.

Make rosemary tea yourself

So there are numerous reasons to drink rosemary tea. The preparation of the healthy tea is very simple:
For 1 cup (250 milliliters) you will need about 1 teaspoon of crushed rosemary leaves or a fresh sprig of rosemary.
Pour boiling water over the plant parts and let the tea steep for eight to ten minutes.
Then remove the boiled plant parts.
Rosemary tea also goes well with dried lemon or orange peel. Make sure the citrus fruits are organic to avoid pesticides.
Important: The daily dose of rosemary leaves should be between four and six grams maximum.

Prickly pear seed oil is said to ensure beautiful skin and even lower blood sugar. But what about the promises? And what about the environmental balance of the oil?

Prickly pear seed oil is obtained from the seeds of the cactus species Opuntia ficus-indica. The plant originally comes from Mexico. It is very popular in South American cuisine: the so-called “nopales”, the cactus leaves, are traditionally served by Mexicans with various dishes such as vegetable pans and tacos. The cactus fruit itself is also edible – in English it is known as “prickly pear”. Their juice is considered a “superfood” in Mexico

There are two ways of extracting the oil from the prickly pear seeds: maceration (softening) or cold pressing. With cold-pressed prickly pear seed oil, the ingredients remain in large quantities.

Prickly pear seed oil and its ingredients

Prickly pear seed oil is rich in various healthy nutrients. It consists of 88 percent fatty acids such as omega-6 and omega-9.

Omega-6 (linoleic acid): This unsaturated fatty acid is the main component of prickly pear seed oil. It is essential for your body’s immune response.
Omega-9 (oleic acid): Oleic acid is said to have a positive effect on brain function and the cardiovascular system. Some studies suggest that the acid may help prevent breast cancer. It is not only contained in prickly pear seed oil, but also in olive oil, for example.
Prickly pear seed oil is also rich in tocopherols, which belong to the vitamin E group. Tocopherols are antioxidants and protect the body’s cells from free radicals

Prickly Pear Seed Oil: Effect on your health and beauty

Prickly pear seed oil is famous for having a positive effect on the human body, both internally and externally.

Topical use: Take two drops of the oil and either apply it to your skin without any additives or mix it with your daily skin cream for extra dry skin. Despite its rich fatty acid content, prickly pear seed oil is non-comedogenic—so it won’t clog pores. The oil is suitable for daily use.
Internal use: You can also use the prickly pear seed oil for culinary purposes and mix a few drops into your salad dressing, for example. The oil has a light fruity note. However, you should not heat it: it can lose its valuable ingredients.
Researchers have already been able to demonstrate some of the health-promoting effects that prickly pear oil is said to have – including, for example, its antioxidant effect. Other effects, on the other hand, have not yet been sufficiently proven:

Sun protection and anti-aging:
Anti-inflammatory: the so-called
Prevents cancer: As part of a study, scientists treated induced tumor cells from nude mice with prickly pear extract. They found that the tumor cells died more often as a result. The exact reason for this and whether prickly pear seed oil has the same effect on people has not yet been clearly established.

Prickly pear seed oil: What you should look out for when buying

If you want to buy prickly pear seed oil, you should always make sure that it is the cold-pressed version. Since the oil has to be made from a large quantity of fruit, it is particularly valuable and expensive. So if you come across a surprisingly cheap offer, it may be a chemically extracted product. This not only lacks important ingredients, it can even contain harmful substances. So make sure that it is not contaminated with so-called “hexane”. An organic seal is also important – this way you can also ensure the ecological quality of the oil.

But you should also keep an eye on the environmental balance of prickly pear seed oil: The biggest problem is the long transport routes. Globally, Mexico grows the most prickly pears. The second largest producer, on the other hand, is Italy (Sicily). It is therefore possible to buy prickly pear seed oil from the EU.

Benzoic acid is a preservative that is often added to preserves. The additive extends the shelf life, but can also cause problems in larger quantities.

What is benzoic acid?

Benzoic acid is a food additive that must be declared on packaging with the number E210. Food manufacturers like to use benzoic acid as a preservative because of its antibacterial properties against yeast and bacteria.

Although benzoic acid is now synthetically produced, it has a natural origin. It occurs naturally in cranberries, raspberries, plums, cinnamon and cloves. Benzoic acid is also found in fermented milk products such as yoghurt or cheese. It is often added to foods together with sorbic acid so that mold formation is inhibited in addition to yeast and bacteria.

Examples of products to which benzoic acid is often added are:
soft and energy drinks
fruit and vegetable preserves
marmalades, marmalades, jellies
Sausage and fish preserves
sauces, ketchup, mustard

Is benzoic acid harmful to health?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) estimates a daily intake of up to five milligrams of benzoic acid per kilogram of body weight as harmless to health. However, some people may be allergic to the additive. This often affects asthmatics, but also people who are allergic to painkillers.

Even non-allergic people should avoid consuming too much benzoic acid with food. Benzoic acid is used by our body and excreted with the urine. Nevertheless, high doses can lead to digestive problems and trigger abdominal cramps.

Products with ascorbic acid, such as soft drinks, can combine with benzoic acid to form the carcinogenic substance benzene. However, this amount is usually so small that it does not pose a health risk.

If you use organic food, you can easily avoid benzoic acid. The addition of benzoic acid is strictly prohibited here. Most foods can easily be preserved for a long time using traditional means, such as sugar in jam. Additional preservatives are superfluous in many cases. If you cook your own preserves or use organic food, you are not at risk of overdosing on benzoic acid.

Sodium nitrite is found in various foods in artificial and natural forms. You can find out in this article whether the preservative is harmful to health.

What is sodium nitrite?

Sodium nitrite is the sodium salt of nitrous acid, also known as hydrogen nitrite. Manufacturers usually use artificially produced sodium nitrite to preserve meat and sausages.

Sodium nitrite is an essential component of pickling salt. In addition, it gives meat products a more intense color and the typical “cured flavor”. The sodium salt itself is crystalline and colorless to slightly yellowish. You can find it under the number E250 in the list of food additives. It occurs in particularly high amounts in cured meat, duck or foie gras and sausages.

Sodium nitrite also occurs naturally in some nitrate-containing vegetables, as the nitrate present converts to nitrite under certain conditions. Vegetables with a particularly high nitrate content are, for example:
spinach
lettuce
Kohlrabi
radish
beetroot
On the one hand, the absorbed nitrate can be converted into nitrite in the body by bacteria in the mouth and stomach. With incorrect storage and poor hygiene, however, the conversion can also take place in the food itself.

How dangerous is sodium nitrite?

Sodium nitrite is a health concern. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that in excessive amounts it can impair or even completely prevent oxygen transport in the blood. This usually cannot happen in adults: they have an enzyme that prevents the effects of sodium nitrite on the blood.

In infants, however, this enzyme is not yet sufficiently developed. Therefore, if they consume too much nitrite, in the worst case this can lead to death by asphyxiation. Children who suffer from a gastrointestinal infection or other digestive problems should also avoid nitrite. In a damaged digestive tract, there is a greater risk that nitrate will be converted into nitrite.

When sodium nitrite is heated, as is the case when frying cured meat, for example, so-called nitrosamines are also formed. These have turned out to be carcinogenic in animal experiments. The extent to which these results can be transferred to humans has not yet been scientifically clarified.

Hazelnut oil can be found in cosmetics and in the kitchen. Here you can find out what the oil with the pleasant nut aroma can do and what you can use it for.

Hazelnut oil is a vegetable oil that is produced when you press the kernels of the hazelnut bush – i.e. the hazelnuts. Hazelnut bushes are native to Asia Minor and Europe, including Germany. Not only the hazelnuts themselves, but also the hazelnut oil is healthy due to its ingredients. The nutty, spicy taste and smell is characteristic.

Effect of hazelnut oil

Hazelnut oil has a very high proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids, which makes it a valuable vegetable oil. As the dictionary of vegetable fats and oils shows, hazelnut oil also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, a small proportion of saturated fatty acids and linoleic acid. Minerals and vitamins such as vitamin E, which is a good vitamin for the skin, are also included. Trace elements such as potassium, calcium or sulfur expand the active ingredients in hazelnut oil. Other ingredients include omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids.

Due to the high-quality ingredients, hazelnut oil has a number of positive effects and properties:
intensive care for skin and hair
fast absorbing
skin firming
anti-inflammatory
promotes wound healing

Application of hazelnut oil

The nutty taste can be used in a variety of ways as an edible oil in the kitchen:
in salad dressings, for example for radicchio or fruit salad
as baking oil
in desserts, for example in pudding or with crêpes
to cheese
The smoke point of hazelnut oil is around 150 degrees Celsius, you should definitely keep this in mind when baking.

In cosmetics, the oil is used to care for skin and hair:
against dry skin
to fight cellulite
against wrinkles
against pimples
as a massage oil
as a hair treatment or mask
as natural UV protection
Rub the affected areas thinly with oil repeatedly until the desired effect is achieved. Of course, you can also use hazelnut oil regularly as a preventive measure.

Note: Like all oils, you should also store hazelnut oil in a dark and cool place. It also does not have a long shelf life and should be used within three months of opening.

What is there to consider with hazelnut oil?

When buying, make sure that the hazelnuts are grown organically and that they are produced by cold pressing. In this way, the vitamins remain in the oil during production. You can buy hazelnut oil in health food stores, in well-stocked supermarkets and in some pharmacies.

Alternatives to hazelnut oil vary depending on the area of ​​application. In the kitchen, the strong nutty aroma is difficult to replace, but there are other spicy cooking oils such as walnut oil, pumpkin seed oil or linseed oil. In cosmetics, for example, you can use almond oil or jojoba oil.

Blackberry leaf tea is a tried and tested home remedy for diarrhea. The leaves also contain valuable antioxidants. You can read here how the tea works and how you can make it yourself.

The real blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) belongs to the rose family and has long been used as a medicinal plant. The leaves of the climbing shrub are used for medicinal purposes. Blackberries originally came from the Mediterranean region, but are now widespread throughout Europe and large parts of the northern hemisphere.

In this article you will find out how blackberry leaf tea works and what ailments you can use it for. We have also summarized for you what you should pay attention to if you want to collect blackberry leaves yourself and use them to prepare tea.

This is how blackberry leaf tea works

Blackberry leaves are a valuable source of antioxidants. These substances support the body in cell renewal while fighting free radicals and reducing oxidative stress. These properties can also prevent cancer in the human body.
Due to the tannins it contains, blackberry leaves have an astringent effect. Therefore, blackberry leaf tea is used to treat acute diarrhea.
The leaves also have strong antimicrobial properties. They fight various bacterial strains, such as Helicobacter pylori, according to another study from the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents.
Blackberry leaves have also traditionally been used to treat diabetes. Animal experiments with rats suffering from diabetes were able to demonstrate a blood sugar-lowering effect.
Blackberry leaf tea can also be used as a gargle to treat sore spots in the mouth and throat.
The following ingredients are mainly responsible for the medicinal effects of blackberry leaves:
Tannins, including tannins
flavonoids

There are no known side effects for blackberry leaf tea.

Prepare and use blackberry leaf tea
Blackberry leaf tea can help you with acute diarrhea and inflammation in the mouth and throat.

If your symptoms don’t improve after two days, you should still see a doctor. If you have other symptoms such as a high fever or blood in your stool, you should go to the doctor right away instead of resorting to home remedies.

For inflammation in the mouth and throat, you can drink blackberry leaf tea or gargle lukewarm.

How to prepare blackberry leaf tea:
Pour 250 milliliters of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried blackberry leaves.
Let the tea steep for five to ten minutes.
Then remove the plant parts.

You can get the dried leaves for blackberry leaf tea in any pharmacy. If you have planted blackberries in your own garden or a blackberry bush near you, you can easily collect and dry the leaves yourself.

You should pay attention to this if you want to make blackberry leaf tea yourself:
The bramble must under no circumstances be treated or left by the road if you want to benefit from its healthy ingredients.
Collect the leaves in spring when they are freshly sprouted. According to the Pharmacognosy Review, the young leaves have the highest active ingredient content.
Pick the fresh leaves and place them in a cotton bag. But be careful not to take too many from one branch.
Spread the picked leaves out on some newspaper in a dark place (attic, closet) to dry. It is important that the leaves do not get direct sunlight so that the active ingredients are preserved and no bitter substances are produced.
If you can easily crumble the blackberry leaves with your fingers, they’re dry. Then you can chop them up and store them in a jar in a dark place. The blackberry leaves can be kept for about a year in this way.
Blackberry leaves are also great for tea blends. The taste goes particularly well with fruity teas such as rosehip tea or apple tea.

Valuable, health-promoting substances are in the oil. Read here how poppy seed oil works and how to use it.

The cold-pressed oil made from various types of poppy seeds is called poppy seed oil. In addition to blue and gray poppy, opium poppy is mainly used for this. In addition to culinary purposes, poppy seed oil is also used for body care. Oil-based soaps and paints are also made from it.

In this article you will find out what is in the valuable poppy seed oil and how to use it.

Poppy seed oil: ingredients and effects

Since poppy seed oil is not particularly widespread in Europe, there are only few scientific studies on the special oil.

Some studies have looked at the composition of poppy seed oil and were able to identify the following triglycerides:
linoleic acid
oleic acid
palmitic acid
Linoleic acid belongs to the group of unsaturated fatty acids. It is essential for the body and cannot be produced by it itself. This means that you must get the omega-6 fatty acid through food. Linoleic acid supports your body in regeneration and cell stabilization and accelerates wound healing

In addition, the cold-pressed oil is rich in valuable minerals and vitamins. These include above all:
calcium
magnesium
potassium
B vitamins
Further studies have shown that poppy seeds and the poppy seed oil they contain are a natural source of valuable antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent oxidative stress, support your body in cell renewal and fight free radicals

Apply poppy seed oil

To benefit from the valuable ingredients of poppy seed oil, you can use it in a variety of ways in the kitchen:
Poppy seed oil convinces above all with its nutty and mild taste.
Both the taste and the health-promoting substances are lost in the heat. Therefore, it is best to use the oil cold or only add it at the end of the preparation.
The nutty taste goes particularly well with desserts. You can use it for cold creams or in your muesli, for example.
The special oil is also suitable for hearty dishes. You can use it to prepare dressings for salads, but the taste also goes well with tomatoes, carrots, asparagus or potato and pasta dishes.

You can also use poppy seed oil for body care:
Poppy seed oil is particularly popular for skin care. It is quickly absorbed and therefore does not leave an unpleasant greasy film on the skin.
Because of the antioxidants it contains, it is said to relieve skin irritation and redness.
You can also combine the oil with other oils like jojoba oil
The valuable oil also helps with dry hair.

Mustard flour consists of ground mustard seeds. Here you can read how you can use the mustard powder as a kitchen seasoning and remedy and what you should pay attention to.

Origin and Effect of Mustard Flour

You probably know mustard flour as a condiment in the kitchen. This is usually made from yellow mustard seeds. The grains come from mustard plants, which are yellow flowering annual cruciferous plants. The mustard plants were brought to Central Europe by the Romans. The three most well-known types of mustard are:
White mustard (Sinapis alba, also yellow mustard, field mustard)
Brown mustard (Brassica juncea, also called Indian or Chinese mustard)
Black mustard (Brassica nigra)
All types of mustard contain mustard oil glycosides. When the mustard seeds are ground into mustard flour, they are broken down in conjunction with enzymes into mustard oil. This mustard oil works as follows:
anti-inflammatory
antiviral
antibacterial
circulation-enhancing
but also irritating to the skin
According to a study by the University of Freiburg, mustard oils should also prevent cancer. 20 grams per day should be enough for this effect. Eating mustard also stimulates the appetite and improves digestion.

Use mustard flour in the kitchen

Mustard flour is a very aromatic spice. In the kitchen you can make your own mustard in combination with vinegar and salt and use it as an ingredient to refine many dishes:
curries
dressings
marinades
sauces
soups

Uses of mustard flour: when it helps

Mustard flour is used as a remedy in the form of compresses, baths and wraps. You can use it at:
arthrosis
bronchitis
a cold
gout
headache
migraine
rheumatism
sinusitis
If you use the home remedy, you should consider the following:
Mustard flour is a strong irritant and can burn the skin and cause severe redness.
As soon as you find any of these symptoms painful, you should definitely stop using mustard flour. Otherwise, in the worst case, severe skin burns can occur.
It is best to seek advice from a pharmacist with a degree in herbal medicine or a phytotherapist before using mustard flour.
Mustard oil can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. So be careful not to get it on your face. It should not come into contact with your eyes in particular.

Where to buy mustard seeds for mustard flour

You can buy mustard seeds cheaply in advance and grind them into mustard flour if necessary, preferably with an electric spice grinder. You can get mustard seeds in:
pharmacies
health food stores and
on the Internet.
You can often get ready-made mustard wrap sets at the pharmacy.

Sauerkraut juice is extremely healthy thanks to its high vitamin content. It also contributes to a healthy intestine thanks to lactic acid bacteria. Read here why this is so.

To make sauerkraut, white cabbage is fermented with lactic acid. During this fermentation process, the lactic acid bacteria involved multiply explosively. These are responsible for many of the health-promoting effects of sauerkraut. However, the sauerkraut juice is not a waste product, on the contrary: it is extremely healthy and is particularly recommended for light constipation and fasting cures.

Sauerkraut juice is rich in vitamins

Many people know that sauerkraut is particularly rich in vitamin C. It strengthens the immune system, has an antioxidant effect and boosts the metabolism. But the fermented vegetables also contain many other vitamins:
Vitamin K: Vitamin K is also found in large quantities in sauerkraut juice. This fat-soluble vitamin is important for healthy bones and blood clotting.
Beta-carotene: Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. This is important for healthy skin, eyes and bones and strengthens the immune system.
Folic acid: The B vitamin folic acid is important for cell and blood formation.
Vitamin B12: As one of the few plant foods, sauerkraut provides vitamin B12. These are needed for a healthy nervous system.
Since some of these vitamins are heat sensitive, you should avoid heating both sauerkraut and sauerkraut juice. This is the only way to benefit from the useful ingredients.

Sauerkraut juice as a natural probiotic

As the cabbage ferments, the lactic acid bacteria can multiply in abundance. That is why sauerkraut and sauerkraut juice are particularly rich in these microorganisms. But don’t worry: These bacteria are not potential pathogens, in fact, lactic acid bacteria are extremely beneficial for us.

These lactic acid bacteria are also found in our intestines. There they ensure a healthy intestinal climate in which beneficial bacteria feel comfortable and pathogens have a hard time. Sauerkraut juice is therefore considered a probiotic food that helps build a healthy intestinal flora.

This is particularly important after antibiotic therapy, for example: the antibiotic not only kills harmful bacteria, but also beneficial bacteria in the body. A disturbed intestinal flora can lead to many health problems in the long term, such as a weakened immune system. By regularly consuming probiotic foods such as sauerkraut juice after antibiotic therapy, your intestinal flora can rebuild.

Use of sauerkraut juice for constipation

The lactic acid bacteria not only ensure a healthy intestinal flora in the long term, but also stimulate digestion in the short term. Therefore, sauerkraut juice is recommended for acute and chronic constipation as a gentle and natural laxative. It is most effective if you drink the sauerkraut juice first thing in the morning. During many fasting cures, one or two glasses of sauerkraut juice are recommended after getting up.

If you drink sauerkraut juice every day, it should also help to detoxify and purify the body. The dietary fibers it contains also stimulate digestion.

Side effects: Sauerkraut juice is a gentle laxative that you can take every day. Consuming large amounts will cause diarrhea. If you want to drink sauerkraut juice regularly, you should not consume too much of it.