Cabbage may not be the most glamorous item in the produce aisle, but it is loaded with a variety of nutrients and disease-fighting superpowers. Cabbage is from the plant family called Brassica vegetables which also includes Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale. Many studies have confirmed that cabbage plays a role in reducing cholesterol, preventing cancer, and healing ulcers. You can find different varieties of cabbages, including spring greens, savoy, red, green, and white cabbages, and all of them contain nutrients that offer a number of health benefits.

Is Cabbage Good for You?

Studies show that cruciferous veggies like kale, cabbage, and broccoli contain loads of beneficial nutrients. You can always include these veggies in your diet to stay healthy. It can always be a part of your weight loss diet because a half cup of cooked cabbage contains less than 20 calories.

Nutrition Facts of Raw Cabbage

A one-cup serving (89 g) of chopped cabbage contains about 22 calories. What makes it healthy is the fact that it does not contain any trans fat or saturated fat. There is no cholesterol in cabbage, either. It provides you with about 16 mg of sodium, 5 g of carbs, and 2 g of dietary fiber. Here are more about minerals and vitamins found in a one-cup serving of cabbage:

Health Benefits of Cabbage

Is cabbage good for you? Yes, it is, and that is mainly because it contains a number of healthy nutrients. Here are some interesting health benefits of raw cabbage.

1. It Prevents Cancer

Cabbage and other cruciferous veggies contain antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals from your body. These free radicals usually contribute to heart disease and cancer. Cabbage also contains sinigrin, lupeol, and sulforaphange, which are anti-cancer compounds commonly known to inhibit the growth of tumors.

2. It Reduces Inflammation

Cabbage has cadmium-binding complexes in its leaves, with glutamine being one of the main components. Glutamine has anti-inflammatory properties and help prevent irritation, inflammation, joint pain, allergies, fever, and several skin disorders.

3. It Promotes Eye Heath

Thanks to the presence of beta-carotene, cabbage works amazingly well to improve your eye health. It promotes good eye health and prevents macular degeneration as well. Studies show that it may also help delay cataract formation.

4. It Reduces Weight

Is Cabbage good for you to lose weight? Cabbage contains so many beneficial minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients, so it can always be a part of your weight loss diet. It makes you feel full quickly and prevents overeating. It is also rich in fiber, which reduces your appetite and adds bulk to the bowels as well.

5. It Boosts Brain Function

Cabbage is one powerful brain food mainly due to the presence of vitamin K and anthocyanins. Opt for red cabbage if you are after its brain-boosting effects. Vitamin K is of immense importance because it helps produce sphingolipids which build a sheath around nerves and protects it from damage. That is why cabbage is a great food choice to prevent Alzheimer's disease, neural degeneration, and dementia.

6. It Protects Bones

Cruciferous veggies, including cabbage, are rich sources of minerals, like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. All these minerals are extremely important for your bones and can prevent degradation of bones. Eating cabbage helps prevent conditions such as osteoporosis and general bone weakening.

7. It Regulates Blood Pressure

Potassium plays a big role in regulating your blood pressure, and cabbage is rich in potassium. It reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke as well. Potassium in cabbage opens up your blood vessels to improve your blood circulation, which in turn prevents hypertension.

8. It Improves Your Skin

Is cabbage good for youin terms of premature aging? Yes, it is. That is mainly because it has vitamin C, Sulphur, anthocyanins, and other antioxidants that improve your skin and reduce signs of premature aging. It also helps get rid of free radicals and protects you from issues such as skin discoloration, wrinkles, spots, and other skin conditions.

9. It Offers Pain Relief

Certain bacteria ferment the sugars in cabbage and release lactic acid which plays a big role in reducing body aches and muscle soreness. It is for this reason that cabbage really helps relieve pain and keeps body aches at bay.

10. It Detoxifies Your Body

Cabbage is a great detoxifier mainly because it contains Sulphur and vitamin C. It not only removes toxins, but also eliminates free radicals and uric acid from your body. Through detoxification, it reduces your chances of dealing with skin diseases, arthritis, renal calculi, and eczema.

11. It Encourages Hair Growth

Like other green vegetables, cabbage is loaded with vitamin A which stimulates hair growth. Make a mixture of half cup of boiled cabbage and 1/8 cup fresh lemon juice and apply it on your scalp to promote hair growth. Leave it in your hair for half an hour and then shampoo and condition your hair. Do it twice a week for good effects.

What Is the Healthiest Way to Cook Cabbage?

Now that you have the answer to your question "Is cabbage good for you", you may be wondering how to cook it in the right way. To get its amazing benefits, you need to ensure that you eat cabbage or other cruciferous vegetables at least thrice a week. Keep your serving size to 1-1/2.

Many people still use traditional methods of boiling and steaming cabbage, but this usually makes cabbage watery and reduces its effectiveness. The best way is to slice cabbage into ¼-inch slices and then leave it for 5 minutes before you cook it. Here is a great recipe for cooking cabbage:

Chicken Cabbage Salad Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups of Napa cabbage
• 1 teaspoon of soy sauce
• 1 garlic clove, medium
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon each of rice vinegar and extra virgin olive oil
• 4 oz of chicken breast, cooked and cut into 1-inch cubes

Prep time: 10 minutes

Simply mix all ingredients and serve.