Cabbage is a green leafy vegetable which is popular around the globe for its health-giving properties. It is eaten by many dieters because it does not promote weight gain. It’s filling characteristics also helps to curb food craving which is the primary factor of overeating.
Cabbage is loaded with protein, calcium, thiamin, phosphorous, copper and fiber. It is also rich in vitamins A, C, B6, magnesium, manganese, potassium and folate. Another factor that makes cabbage a healthy food is its being low in cholesterol and saturated fat.
Here are the top health benefits of cabbage:
1. It helps to prevent cancer
Nutrition experts include cabbage as one of the few vegetables that contain sinigrin, a chemical which has been found to destroy cancer cells that affect the prostate, colon and bladder.
Cabbage is also loaded with antioxidants which help to protect your cells from damage due to free radicals. You should eat raw or slightly cooked cabbage regularly in order to avail of its health benefits.
2. It works to lower your cholesterol levels
Cabbage contains fiber which is associated with low levels of cholesterol. Its effect on the bile acids during the digestion also helps to remove cholesterol from your blood.
3. It helps to lessen free radicals from your body
Cabbage contains antioxidants which are your body’s primary cleansing agents to remove free radicals that can damage your cells which could lead to cancer or heart diseases.
It is also known to reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions like arthritis because it contains an anti inflammatory substance called anthocyanins.
4. It helps to promote digestive health
Cabbage is rich in fiber which is an important factor in promoting a healthy digestive process. It also helps to promote your digestive health by maintaining healthy levels of bacteria in your gut.
5. It helps to boost your immune system
Cabbage is rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that many people think are available only in fruits. Vitamin C plays a very important role in strengthening your immune system to help it fight against disease causing organisms.
6. It helps to maintain the health of your nervous system
Cabbage can help to maintain the health of your brain and nervous system with its iodine content. Eating iodine-rich red cabbage on a regular basis is believed to lessen the occurrence of plague in the brain which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
