US Vice President JD Vance has credited his weight loss to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.’s advice to eat sauerkraut and protein.Speaking at the first official White House press briefing since July 23, Vance said Kennedy’s advice helped him begin his weight-loss journey around Lent in February.“So, when you're the vice president of the United States and one of the first questions at a press conference in the White House is how much weight you've lost, you must have gotten very fat,” Vance said, according to Fox News.What Did Robert Kennedy Jr. Advise JD Vance?Vance said he called Kennedy and told him he was thinking of giving up sugar.“Bobby Kennedy says, ‘No, no, no, no, I've got something that's way better than that and way more intense.’ And basically ... I eat a lot of high protein stuff, and I eat a lot of sauerkraut. And let's just say that if that was Fat Tuesday, Fat Wednesday never came,” Vance said.“So, my advice to you is that if you want to lose weight, call Bobby Kennedy. And if you want to enjoy what you eat, do not call Bobby Kennedy.”At the press briefing, Vance also addressed several other topics, including the Iran war, oil and gas prices, inflation and Republican messaging ahead of the midterms.What Is Sauerkraut?Sauerkraut is traditionally a fermented food made from shredded cabbage and salt.Fermentation occurs through Lactobacillus bacteria that naturally occur on the leaves of the vegetable. These bacteria feed on the sugar in the cabbage.To make sauerkraut, the cabbage is submerged in a salty liquid created by combining it with its own juice. The bacteria consume the sugar and produce lactic acid, which helps preserve the food, prevent the growth of harmful organisms and create an environment where beneficial bacteria can grow.The simple dish contains beneficial bacteria that can support gut health and overall well-being. It is also known to aid digestion and support immunity.Health Benefits Of SauerkrautA 2025 study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology suggested that fermented cabbage could help protect the gut, an essential part of overall health.Researchers from the University of California, Davis, found that sauerkraut helped maintain the integrity of intestinal cells, while raw cabbage and brine did not.Studies have also suggested that sauerkraut may have:Anti-inflammatory effectsA role in regulating immune functionAntioxidant propertiesPotential anticancer properties.Sauerkraut is generally safe to consume, but it can cause reactions in some people. People with histamine intolerance may experience allergy-like symptoms, and those with pollen allergies may experience worsening symptoms. How Does Protein Help With Weight Loss?During weight loss, protein can help preserve muscle and increase satiety. For muscle gain, however, protein needs to be paired with resistance training.Dr Amit Prakash Singh, Consultant - Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe that protein can help preserve muscle and improve satiety during weight loss, while muscle gain requires protein along with resistance training.“Simply increasing protein without appropriate calories and exercise will not build muscle.”How Much Protein Do You Need?Most healthy adults need around 0.8 g/kg of protein per day. Regular exercisers and strength trainers may need 1.2–1.6 g/kg/day, depending on their goals, activity level, diet, age and health.Low protein intake can contribute to muscle loss, weakness, poor recovery and slower healing. Protein supplements are usually unnecessary when the diet already provides enough protein.