Cabbage is really inexpensive vegetable, and it can be prepared many ways including boiled, fried, in soups, casseroles and salads. It is also a superfood that is full of health benefits. Available in red or green, with all varieties having the same nutritional value, cabbage is a staple everyone should have in their refrigerator. Here we will examine some of the vast benefits of eating cabbage.
Vitamin C – Did you know that cabbage is higher in vitamin C that oranges? Vitamin C is an antioxidant which helps boost the immune system, protects from free radicals that can cause aging and cancer, and speeds the healing of wounds.
Fiber – Fiber helps the body to retain water which is important in keeping the digestion process moving. Roughage is important to prevent constipation because it can cause ulcers and other digestive ailments.
Sulphur – Cabbage is abundant in sulphur, which is important in helping wounds to heal quickly. Sulphur also helps fight infections, and also reduces the frequency of ulcer flare ups.
Anti-inflammatory – One of the main components of cabbage is glutamine. Glutamine is a highly effective anti-inflammatory that will help reduce inflammation in the body and will help guard against skin issues, fever, pain in the joints, and even allergies.
Beta-carotene – This nutrient is important for eye health, and usually associated with carrots. Cabbage, however, is very high in beta-carotene, which helps to promote eye health. Recent studies have also shown that beta-carotene may help in reducing the chance of getting prostate cancer.
Vitamin K – Most of us don’t give vitamin K a lot of thought, but it is an essential vitamin that helps the body produce sphingolipids that form a sheath around the nerves in the body for protection. It is a great defense against neural disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Potassium – The potassium in cabbage helps to keep blood pressure in check by opening blood vessels. This will lower the chances of having a stroke or heart attack.
Iodine – The iodine in cabbage helps to keep the endocrine system in check. It also helps to the brain function properly which means that iodine also helps protect against neural disorders.
As you can see, cabbage is an often looked superfood that is so nutritious we should all incorporate it into our daily diets, and it is so inexpensive that there is no reason not to! Aside from the benefits listed above, cabbage is also great for those who are trying to lose weight because of its antioxidants, fiber content, and it is low in calories. It will also make you feel full for longer and you can prepare it in a variety of ways so you don’t get bored with eating the same dish over and over.
(Photo courtesy of Michael & Christa Richert)
