Cabbage And It’s Health Benefits

Cabbage – Insight of  leafy vegetable

Cabbage is a edible leafy vegetable. These oval or round  shape vegetables are  comprised of compactly layered leaves. Green color variety of cabbage is widely available in market. Other varieties are red and savoy. Green cabbage is mostly eaten. Green and red cabbage leaves are rubbery  and little hard whereas savoy cabbage leaves are tender and tastier. Savoy cabbage leaves can be used in all ways from being eaten raw , add them in salads, steam it,  by stewing,  sauteing , cook as a food dish, make pickles etc as per your taste delights. Whereas green and red cabbage leaves are  preferred to be eaten after they are cooked. Besides having culinary uses this vegetable has many medical benefits. It is always advised to clean the leafs before eating them .The first thing one should do before using is to  remove few outer leaves of cabbage ball and then rinse it. In case if you find worms or insects crawling on this vegetable then you need to dip these heads in salt or vinegar water for approximately 15 minutes and  then rinse it . Now cut, shred, dice etc as per your requirements. What is great about eating these vegetables, what are the health benefits of cabbage etc are few questions that are there in you mind. This article will answer all your queries.

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Nutrition in Cabbage

The maximum nutrition one derives from cabbage is when eaten raw. In case if you want to cook it then it should be done in least way.  100 gram of cabbage  provides you with 44% of vitamin C and 72% of vitamin K of your daily needs. Other nutrients that you get in good amount are manganese ,Vitamin B6, folic acid, calcium, iron etc. Check the table below to know the nutrients provided by eating cabbage. 

Health Benefits

1) Cancer Prevention – Antioxidants and anti inflammatory qualities of  cabbage play the role of preventing cancer .  Apart from these two qualities, there is glucosinolates present in cabbage. Glucosinolates produce isothiocyanates which acts as detoxifying agents resulting in cleaning of toxics from cells. And hence preventing the onset of cancer.

2) Good for Diabetic patients – Cabbage is low in glycemic index, rich in dietary fiber and low in calories, all this make it a healthy option for diabetic patients. Anthocyanins is the red pigment of red cabbage, this pigment reduces blood sugar levels by increasing the insulin levels. Cabbage also prevents diabetes as it is rich in  vitamin C content. Vitamin C also prevents the blood vessel damage caused by diabetes.

3) Lowers Cholesterol – Bile acids in intestine facilitate fat absorption. These bile acids are produced by liver using cholesterol. When you eat cabbage, it binds with bile acids in intestines and passes out of the body through your bowel movement. Thus shortage of bile acids induces the live to produce it using the cholesterol present in our body. All this leads to a lower cholesterol levels.

4) Lowers High Blood Pressure Levels – Cabbage is rich in potassium and low in sodium. Potassium has the ability to lower high BP levels.

5) Enhances Body Immunity – Vitamin C rich cabbage strengthens your body immunity. Thus lowering the occurrence of diseases.

6) Aids Digestion – Fiber in cabbage acts as a detoxifier. This fiber cleans stomach and intestines. It works as a laxative  thus curing your constipation problems. Overall a healthy digestive system is obtained with the consumption of cabbage. Cabbage cures stomach ulcers

7) Anti-Inflammatory Benefits – Being anti-inflammatory in nature cabbage can be used to cure abscesses, heal scars, wounds, burns, blisters, sore feet. One needs to apply the leaves over the affected body part to relieve oneself of pain. 

8) Facilitates Weight Loss – Cabbage is low in calories and high in dietary fiber. Eating cabbage keeps your stomach full and thus killing your desire to eat more. You calorie intake is reduced. Other benefits arise due to tartaric acid in cabbage which  prevents the conversion of sugar and carbohydrates into fat. People with weight issues should include cabbage in their diets.

Enjoy this Cabbage Soup Recipe for Diet and Weight Loss

9) Keeps your Skin healthy – Thinking of adding glow and beauty to your skin ,  then add a portion of cabbage in your diet. Cabbage works as a detoxifier which removes toxins in bloodstream causing blemishes. Antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, anti inflammatory qualities enhances skin beauty. Diseases like psoriasis, acne and eczema are prevented due to anti inflammatory quality of cabbage.  Uric acid and free radicals which are associated with skin diseases are removed from body with cabbage consumption. Other benefits are slowing ageing process, preventing cell oxidation

10) Relief for arthritis, gouts and rheumatic patients– Cabbage eases the pain caused by uric acid . As eating cabbage removes uric acid from the body.

11) Keeps Brain Healthy – Vitamin K , B complex, iodine and anthocyanins  present in cabbage aid in the healthy functioning of brain and nervous system. They prevent nerve damage, brain shrinkage, protects brain cell damage, reduces oxidative stress which are responsible for the onset of  Alzheimer’s disease.

12) Relief for breast engorgement –  Applying cabbage leaves over the affects breasts  will give you relief from breast engorgement. Crush refrigerated / normal temperature cabbage leaf with a rolling pin and then apply the leaves over the breasts for 15-25 minutes. This will act as a cure. 

How To Cook Green Cabbage

Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educative purpose only. Consult you doctor or professional medical advice before using any information in this article for any health program.