Do you eat Cabbage? Use it as a side dish, or include it in the dish you cook? If your answer is yes, did you know that it can give the benefits that your body needs? This article lets us know what health advantages this leafy green vegetable provides.

As a cold-weather veggie, cabbage is highly versatile. Growing it is challenging because of its affinity for cool weather, but it will be worthwhile for determined gardeners. More than 400 plants are available, so you can try out different varieties and find the one that suits your needs.

Cabbage is packed with vitamins and minerals and is one of the most interesting, fascinating, and famous vegetables on the market today. If you choose to eat cabbage this season, or if you decide to buy it at your local market, you can rest assured knowing you are doing your body a favor.

Let’s take a look at its benefits.

Nutrient-Dense Cabbage

The benefits of cabbage far exceed its calories, as it is rich in vitamins B6 and folate, both essential for a wide variety of critical processes in the body, such as energy metabolism and normal nerve function. Cabbage also contains antioxidative properties and is a good source of fiber.

Cabbage also contains powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols and sulfur compounds, and is high in fiber. Defending the body from free radicals, which can cause damage, are antioxidants. Free radicals are molecules that possess an odd number of electrons, which makes them unstable. They can cause damage to your cells when their levels become too high.

Keeps inflammation under control

There is nothing wrong with inflammation. Your body must have this acute inflammation during an infection or injury to protect against disease or speed the healing. This kind of inflammation is a normal response to the injury or illness which may have caused it.

However, chronic inflammation is associated with various diseases, including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, when it occurs for a prolonged period. Several antioxidants are found in cruciferous vegetables, including cabbage, which has been shown to reduce chronic inflammation.

There is growing evidence that eating more cruciferous vegetables has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers in the blood.

You Can Get A Lot Of Vitamin C From Cabbage

A water-soluble vitamin called vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid is necessary for a wide variety of functions in the body. For instance, it is essential for producing collagen, the body's most abundant protein. It is crucial to the proper functioning of bones, muscles, and blood vessels, as collagen provides structure and flexibility to the skin.

In addition, vitamin C helps the body absorb non-heme iron, the type of iron found in plants and vegetables. It also serves as a powerful antioxidant. Extensive research has been done on its ability to fight cancer.

It is important to note that green and red cabbage are excellent sources of this potent antioxidant; however, red cabbage contains about 30% more than green cabbage.

Improves digestion

Having fiber-rich cabbage on your plate is a great way to improve your digestive health. This crunchy vegetable is packed with gut-friendly insoluble fiber, a carbohydrate that cannot be broken down in the gut. As an essential part of maintaining a healthy digestive system, insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools and promotes regular bowel movements.

Also, it has been shown that soluble fiber can increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut since fiber is the primary fuel source for friendly species such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. The more cabbage you eat, the healthier and happier your digestive system will be, more beneficial, and more comfortable. Eating more cabbage is an excellent way to keep your digestive system healthy.

Keeps Your Heart Healthy

The color of this delicious vegetable is due to potent compounds called anthocyanins which are plant pigments that belong to the flavonoid family. These potent compounds give this vegetable its vibrant purple color.

It has been found that eating foods rich in anthocyanins has been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease. It has also been shown that consuming more anthocyanins in your diet can reduce your blood pressure and the risk of coronary artery disease.

Lowers blood pressure

Doctors often advise patients with high blood pressure to reduce their salt intake, a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure affects more than a billion people worldwide. In recent years, research has shown that increasing your dietary potassium can lower your blood pressure just as effectively.

The body must have a healthy potassium level as an electrolyte and mineral. Red cabbage is an excellent source of potassium, supplying 12% of the RDI in a 2-cup (178-gram) serving. It helps regulate blood pressure by counteracting sodium effects in the body. It may be beneficial to lower high blood pressure and keep it within a healthy range by eating more potassium-rich cabbage.

Lowers cholesterol levels

There is no doubt that cholesterol plays an essential role in the proper functioning of the body. Most people think that cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance. Cholesterol is found in every cell in your body.

Several critical processes in the human body rely on cholesterol. These include digestion, hormone production, and vitamin D synthesis. However, a person with high cholesterol also has an increased risk of heart disease, significantly when they have elevated LDL cholesterol or the "bad" cholesterol.

Almost 40% of the fiber found in cabbage is soluble. Cabbage contains compounds called phytosterols, which are substances that help break down fat. Cabbage is an excellent source of soluble fiber. By blocking cholesterol absorption in the digestive system, these plant compounds decrease LDL cholesterol by reducing their structural similarity to cholesterol.

Vitamin K is abundant in cabbage.

In a cup of cabbage (89 grams), you will find more than 85% of your recommended amount of vitamin K1. Cabbage is a superb source of vitamin K1 and will provide you with 85% of the recommended daily amount in one serving.

There are many essential functions that vitamin K1 plays in the body as a critical nutrient. One of its primary functions is to act as a cofactor for enzymes responsible for the clotting process of the blood. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, but without it, the blood would not be able to clot properly, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding.

Sources:

1. 8 Awesome Facts About Cabbage | Crafty House
2. 9 Impressive Health Benefits of Cabbage (healthline.com)