5 Amazing Health Benefits Of Eating Cabbage

Cabbage comes in a variety of shapes and colours, including red, purple, white and green, and its leaves can be either crinkled or smooth. This member of the cruciferous family is rather underrated despite all its nutrient content.

Loaded with vitamins and minerals, cabbages are rather versatile and can be consumed both raw and cooked. For thousands of years, they have been used in a variety of cuisines from Chinese to continental. However, cabbage does have a distinctively acquired taste which makes it not so popular among a lot of people.
If you are one among the lot who aren’t a fan of this particular vegetable, here are 5 health benefits of cabbage which will convince you to include it in your diet:

* Rich in vitamin C and vitamin K

Cabbage is rich natural source of Vitamin C which works to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals, which has been associated with many chronic diseases, including certain cancer. It is also known to be a powerful antioxidant. Cabbage is also packed with Vitamin K. A single cup of cabbage is known to fulfill 85% of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin K1. It maintains the ability of the blood to clot properly, reducing the risk of excessive bleeding.

* Helps improve digestion

Cabbage is rich in fibre and is known to aid improvement of digestive health. This crunchy vegetable is full of gut-friendly insoluble fibre, a type of carbohydrate that can’t be broken down in the intestines. It adds bulk to the stool and promotes regular bowel movements. It is also known to be beneficial in increasing the good bacteria in the gut keeping the digestive system healthy.

* May help reduce cholesterol levels

People with high cholesterol levels tend to have higher risk of heart diseases. Cabbage contains two substances that have been shown to decrease unhealthy levels of LDL cholesterol; soluble fibre and plant sterol. Around 40% of the fibre found in cabbage is soluble. Cabbage also contain phytosterols which work by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract which helps in reducing the cholesterol concentration in the blood.

* May help regulate Blood Pressure
More and more people are being found to be affected by high blood pressure these days. High blood pressure is a major risk factor in heart diseases and stroke. Studies have shown that increasing the intake of dietary potassium can help in lowering blood pressure levels. It works by counteracting the efforts of sodium in the body. Red cabbage is an excellent source of potassium. 2 cups of red cabbage can give you 12% of the recommended daily amount of potassium.

* May help keep inflammation in check

While intermittent inflammation may warn the body against infections, chronic inflammation which occurs over a long period of time may be indicative of underlying diseases like heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Cabbages like other cruciferous vegetables are packed with antioxidants which may help reduce chronic inflammation. Researched show that eating more cruciferous vegetables reduce certain blood markers of inflammation.
Cabbage is an exceptionally healthy food and can make a tasty yet inexpensive addition to any form of diet. With so many nutrient benefits, cabbage is a great way to make a healthy change to your regular recipes.