Who shouldn't eat sauerkraut with anise and why: an expert's answer. Exclusive

In the fall, sauerkraut becomes a real treat on the festive table. You can find a variety of options for its preparation on the Internet and in specialized print media.

Some recipes suggest adding a particular spice to spice things up. For example, it is not uncommon to use anise to enhance the flavor.

In an exclusive commentary for OBOZREVATEL, Victoria Stelmakh, founder of the largest Ukrainian-language Facebook group on feeding, an expert on baby food, said that adding this spice to sauerkraut can make the product contraindicated for certain categories of people.

"Most people can safely consume anise without risk of side effects. However, in some cases, it can provoke an allergic reaction, especially if you are allergic to plants from the same family, such as fennel, celery (an allergen), parsley, or dill," the expert explained.

In addition, she said, the estrogen-mimicking properties of anise can worsen the symptoms of hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer or endometriosis.

"If you have a history of such a diagnosis, stick to moderate amounts and consult your doctor before consuming," says Stelmakh.

In addition, anise is not recommended for children.

The text was checked by MedOboz project manager Viktor Lytvynenko.