Guide : Benefits of Eating Cabbage

Do you remember when you were a kid, how you tried to avoid eating your vegetables? Like, why will you want to eat less tasty food when there are tastier options readily available (on the same plate most times)? That’s what most kids think, but that’s not what it really is.

Not all vegetables are “tasteless”. Some of them, like cabbage, taste really good. Plus, the health benefits of eating cabbage (or vegetables generally) are out of this world.

Some Fun Facts About Cabbage

Just before we go into the wonderful benefits of cabbage, here are some cabbage fun facts.

• Cabbage is one of the oldest vegetable available. More than 1000 years old.
• There are many different varieties of cabbage. The most common of them all are green cabbage, red cabbage, and savoy cabbage.
• There are 24 calories in 100 grams of cabbage.
• China is the largest producer of cabbage; followed by India and Russia.
• Russia is the highest consumers of cabbage in the world.
• In ancient China, people believed cabbage was a magical cure for baldness.

10 Top Benefits of Eating Cabbage

Here are 10 top health benefits of eating cabbage.

1. Cabbage is Good for Digestive Health

Vegetables are generally good for digestive health. They add bulk to your stool and promote regular bowel movement. Cabbage contains insoluble fibers, which is a type of carbohydrate that cannot be broken down in the intestines. This contributes a whole lot to how healthy one’s digestive system is.

Cabbage also contains soluble fiber which is also good for the guts. Soluble fibers have been shown to increase the number of healthy bacteria in the guts.

2. Cabbage Contains a Lot of Potassium which Helps to Reduce High Blood Pressure

There are more than a billion people suffering from high blood pressure worldwide. Usually, the advice professionals give to such people is to reduce their salt intake. In addition to that, high blood pressure patients are expected to increase their dietary potassium intake by eating potassium-rich foods like cabbage.

Potassium regulates blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium in the body. It also relaxes the walls of the blood vessels, which directly contributes to reducing blood pressure.

3. Cabbage is an Excellent Source of Vitamin K

If you observed that it takes more time than usual for your blood to clot, you may want to check their vitamin K level. Eating little or no vitamin K rich foods like cabbage may result in over bleeding (if you have an injury) as a result of vitamin K deficiency.

4. Cabbage is Good for the Heart

Studies have shown that there is a link between cabbage and reduced risk of heart diseases. This is as a result of powerful compounds known as anthocyanins present in cabbage. Increasing your intake of this compound has been shown to reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart diseases generally.

Anthocyanins also play a notable role in reducing inflammation; another way cabbage reduces the risk of developing heart disease.

5. Cabbage has Anti-Cancer Properties

Brassica vegetables like cabbage contain a relatively high content of glucosinolates, which have anti-cancer properties. This glucosinolate compound found in cabbage hunt down free radicals in the body. These free radicals, if not discovered and eliminated, can cause cancer and heart diseases in the body; or enhance them.

People who have a history of cancer in their family are at a higher risk of developing cancer. Such people are advised to eat a lot of cabbage since it contains glucosinolates which can be converted to isothiocyanate compounds. This helps to prevent various cancers from occurring.

6. Cabbage is Loaded with Antioxidants

Vitamin C, sulfur, and anthocyanins are some of the most powerful antioxidants found in cabbage (and other cruciferous vegetables). They play major roles in the health of your skin; it’s toning, general appearance, and the aging process. If you’re looking for a way to slow down your aging process and develop healthy skin, cabbage is the way to go.

7. Cabbage is Good for the Eyes

Cabbage obviously contain a lot of nutrients and compounds that play very effective roles in our health. One of such compounds in beta-carotene; a compound known to prevent cataract and prevent macular degeneration. This is particularly good for old people who suffer a lot of these type of eye diseases. However, you don’t have to wait till you’re old to start taking care of your eyes. Eating cabbage from a younger age prevents you from developing eye issues at old age.

8. Cabbage Improves Brain Health

There is more to vitamin K and anthocyanins than we’ve already mentioned. Aside from their ability to reduce bleeding and improving heart health, these two compounds can also boost your brain health. Vitamin K and anthocyanins are found in cabbage in high concentrations, enough to boost mental functions and concentration.

This is a good one for kids seeing as many of them lack concentration some times. The same applies to adults, especially the aged, who suffer reduced mental functions as a result of old age.

9. Cabbage Helps with Weight Loss

If you want to lose weight in a healthy and natural way, cabbage should be a part of your diet. For one, cabbage contains a lot of soluble and insoluble fiber which makes you feel full faster and for longer. This cuts down hunger and unnecessary desire to eat in-between meals.

Cabbage is filled with minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients with low calories. Eating them often means you get to control how much calories you ingest and your weight in general.

10. Cabbage is Good for the Bones

Cabbage also contains calcium, minerals, and magnesium. These nutrients are very effective in protecting the bones from degradations. They also help with the growth and development of these bones as well as facilitate the healing process in case of injury.

Specialists have said it over and again before that you don’t really need to spend through your nose to eat healthily. Making cabbage a part of your diet is one of the most affordable ways to eat healthily. It has a lot of benefits and is very delicious too. From the points mentioned above, you can at least see why cabbage deserves a special room on your plate.