5 Health Benefits of Cabbage
Cabbage isn’t normally listed as many people’s favorite food. But you may just want to add it to your grocery list when you hear about all of the ways it can benefit your health! (1)
Cabbage has been grown across the globe for thousands of years. It belongs to the Brassica family of vegetables with cauliflower, kale, and broccoli. You can find it in various colors, including green, purple, red, and white with either crinkled or smooth leaves. (1)
Read on to learn more about this staple of sauerkraut and kimchi. The health benefits of cabbage might surprise you! (1)
1. Cabbage Is Full of Nutrients
While this vegetable is low in calories, it is chock-full of nutrients. It’s also high in fiber and contains antioxidants like polyphenols and sulfur compounds, which protect the body from free radicals. In just one cup of raw green cabbage, you’ll find: (1)
- 22 calories
- 1 gram of protein
- 2 grams of fiber
- 85% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin K
- 54% of the RDI of vitamin C
- 10% of the RDI of folate
- 7% of the RDI of manganese
- 6% of the RDI of vitamin B6
- 4% of the RDI of calcium
- 4% of the RDI of potassium
- 3% of the RDI of magnesium
2. It’s Loaded with Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for many important processes in the body. It’s necessary for the production of collagen, a protein that gives skin structure and flexibility. Collagen also helps bones, muscles, and blood vessels to function properly. (1)
Additionally, vitamin C helps protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. This damage can lead to many different chronic illnesses, including cancer. Fortunately, you can get 54% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C from just one cup of raw green cabbage! (1)
3. Cabbage Is Packed with Vitamin K
Vitamin K is another vitamin that is crucial for several bodily processes. In particular, vitamin K is involved in the process of blood clotting. Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin K, and one cup provides 85% of your daily intake. (1)
4. It May Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
A recent study showed that a specific diet that includes lots of cabbage may help lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. This nutritional plan, called the Nordic diet, also includes fish, root vegetables, pears, apples, rye bread, and oatmeal. In the study, those who followed the cabbage-heavy diet were 38% less likely to get type 2 diabetes. (2)
5. Red Cabbage May Benefit Heart Health
Red cabbage gets its color from compounds called anthocyanins. Several studies have demonstrated a link between consuming anthocyanins and a decreased risk of heart disease. Anthocyanins have also been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the likelihood of coronary artery disease. (1)
Red cabbage’s amazing effects on heart health are attributed to the fact that anthocyanins are anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is a primary contributor to heart disease, so eating this vegetable is a great way to help you maintain heart health. (1)
Whether you’re eating it in sauerkraut or using it as a holder for your chicken lettuce wraps, cabbage is a great addition to your diet. Start eating it regularly and take note of the amazing benefits it has for your health!
