The health benefits of cabbage [1] have been known for a long time, and it is not for nothing that it is considered the queen of vitamins. Beautiful and juicy, tasty not only fresh but also sauerkraut, it is used for a huge number of dishes. Cabbage is stored all winter without losing its taste and useful properties.People actively use cabbage not only for food, but also for treating a variety of ailments.
Cabbage Properties
It’s no secret that cabbage is essentially a small pharmacy. Its leaves contain many vitamins, fiber, sugar, minerals, and organic acids. By the way, it has more well-known vitamin C [2] than, for example, lemons or tangerines; if we compare it to carrots, the difference is tenfold. To cover the human norm of vitamin C, it is enough to eat only about 200 grams.
In addition, this plant is rich in vitamins B1, B2, and PP. Plus, it contains a lot of phosphorus, calcium, potassium salts, and more. The composition of trace elements is also extensive: aluminum, zinc, manganese, and copper. And in terms of glucose content—2.7%—it surpasses lemons, apples, and oranges. We should also emphasize its low caloric content (27 kcal), which is relevant for people who are losing weight. It has the following nutritional value: 1.8 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat, and 6.7 g of carbohydrates.[3]
Cabbage Nutrition Data
Nutritional value per 100g:
Key substances | per 100g. |
Water | 92,18g. |
Proteins | 1.28 g |
Fats | 0,1 g |
Ash | 0,64 g |
Carbohydrates | 5.8 g |
Fiber | 2.5 g |
Sugars, total | 3.2 g |
Sucrose | 0.08 g |
Glucose (dextrose) | 1.67 g |
Fructose | 1.45 g |
Maltose | 0.01 g |
Minerals | per 100g. |
Calcium, Ca | 40 mg |
Iron, Fe | 0.47 mg |
Magnesium, Mg | 12 mg |
Phosphorus, P | 26 mg |
Potassium, K | 170 mg |
Sodium, Na | 18 mg |
Zinc, Zn | 0.18 mg |
Copper, Cu | 0.019 mg |
Manganese, Mn | 0.16 mg |
Selenium, Se | 0.3 µg |
Fluorine, F | 1 µg |
Health Benefits of Cabbage
The medicinal properties of green cabbage have been recognized by absolutely all physicians in the world. This is one of the few plants that is safe for almost everyone on the planet. The systematic use of this vegetable normalizes the work of the whole body, making it work like a Swiss watch. Thanks to cabbage:
- lowers blood sugar; [4]
- the growth of cancerous tumors is slowed;
- the work of the liver improves;
- The work of the cardiovascular system is normalized; [5]
- cholesterol and other toxins are removed from the body. [6]
In addition to the leaves themselves, you can use cabbage juice; it helps: [7]
- in the treatment of coughs and bronchitis;
- problems with urination;
- acne or blackheads on the skin (as a lotion).
The Health Benefits of Cabbage for Women and Men
When consumed regularly, the vegetable has a beneficial effect on the human body as a whole. The balanced complex of amino acids and vitamins ensures the following results:
- Strengthens the body’s defenses by boosting the immune system; [8]
- Significantly reduces the likelihood of getting cancer. In men, of the prostate gland, and in women, of the breast; [9]
- Normalizes the concentration of cholesterol in the blood;
- Increases blood circulation;
- Enriches the blood, greatly increasing hemoglobin;
- Draws out excess fluid from the body;
- Normalises blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes, reducing the need for sweets;
- Staphylococcus aureus and tubercle bacillus are killed.
- Heals the digestive system’s microflora and halts the putrefaction process in the intestines;
- Improves the condition of gums and teeth;
- Helps people get rid of excess weight.
Benefits for Pregnant Women and During Lactation
Pregnant women and those breastfeeding their babies should definitely include white cabbage in their diet. The only problem in this case may be flatulence. For this reason, during the period of childbirth, a woman is recommended to use the product in sauerkraut [10] form or after heat treatment. The benefits of braised cabbage for the body are also undeniable.
It is recommended to drink fresh cabbage juice daily on an empty stomach, combined with a little honey. This drink will prepare the woman’s body for the forthcoming childbirth, reduce irritability and tearfulness, and increase stress resistance.
For the Child’s Health
Competent specialists recommend introducing white cabbage [11] to infants from five months of age when they are fed artificially, and from six months of age when they are fed.
Regular consumption of the product will help to prevent the development:
- dysbacteriosis; [12]
- stomatitis;
- rickets.
For the youngest babies, it is advisable to boil the raw head first and then use a blender to puree it, adding a small amount of breast milk or the usual formula.
Once you have become accustomed to it, milk and formula can be omitted. Because mashed cabbage is effective at removing poisons and toxins [13] from the baby’s body, it is particularly useful for both the treatment and the treatment:
- Atopic dermatitis;
- food allergies;
- diathesis.
In Old Age
Due to the tartaric acid content of white cabbage, the vegetable has a rejuvenating and anti-sclerotic effect. Please note that tartaric acid decomposes after heat treatment.
In old age, it is recommended to eat a daily cabbage salad with the addition of amaranth or grape seed oil. If a person is unable to chew on their own, juice combined with oil should be drunk. This results in vivacity and lightness; vessels are purified, and cholesterol and stools are normalized.
Harms and Contraindications
It is harmful to eat too much kale, just as it is harmful to overeat in general. Too much kohlrabi in the body will lead to flatulence, nausea, bloating, and pain. This is due to the action of high levels of fiber. This should be borne in mind by people who want to lose extra pounds with cabbage. It is worth noting that the benefits and harms of blue cabbage, as well as those of other varieties, are of a similar nature.
Contraindications to use include the following:
- enterocolitis, pancreatitis;
- Increased intestinal peristalsis;
- bleeding in the intestine or stomach;
- Acute intestinal or stomach ulcers (you can make cabbage juice, but you should not drink it without consulting your doctor first).
Using Green Cabbage in Cooking
Naturally, the main benefit from the cabbage will be if you eat it raw; in this case, a person gets absolutely all the useful vitamins and minerals. As for the heat treatment of the vegetable, we recommend that you cook it in such a way that it remains slightly raw, because during cooking, due to the impact of high temperatures, many useful substances are destroyed. It is also desirable to avoid cooking on an open fire, as it is practiced in some cuisines around the world.
Cabbage for weight loss
Given its high folate and nicotinic acid content and low calories, the vegetable is actively used in low-carb diets, both on its own and as a side dish.
The cabbage diet can be undertaken once a week. You should eat a salad of fresh leaves seasoned with lemon juice throughout the day. Note that the salad should be prepared without salt.
Warning: The information is for information purposes only and is not intended as a diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a physician!
Rules for selecting and storing cabbage
The main points worth considering when choosing sprouts are:
- Check that the fruit is fully formed;
- No pest damage (caterpillars or slugs);
- Density and tightness to the touch;
- No damage by disease or bacteria;
- No mechanical damage.
- Temperatures are in the region of -1 to +1 degrees Celsius;
- The air humidity is 80-90%;
10 Interesting Facts About Cabbage
- About 200g of fresh cabbage is enough to cover a person’s daily requirement for vitamin C.
- The useful properties of cabbage are much more pronounced when it is in a sauerkraut state.
- The most harmful and therefore useless element of the cabbage is the core, as it is there that all harmful substances accumulate.
- Sauerkraut helps the intestines normalize the bacterial count. It contains a lot of lactic acid, which improves gastrointestinal function by preserving healthy bacteria.
- To grow a good cabbage, several conditions need to be met. Firstly, this vegetable requires a lot of water. Secondly, it is advisable to fertilize the plant with nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous during growth. If you follow these recommendations, you will end up with a great product that is rich in a variety of vitamins (B6, B9, C, and K), minerals, and beneficial elements.
- Cabbage contains a lot of sulphur, which promotes the production of keratin in the human body, which in turn improves and strengthens nails, hair, and skin.
- The percentage of liquid content is very high—91%. With 95%, it is only second to cucumbers.
- Cabbage juice is an effective anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.
- The location where the cabbage first appeared has not been established to this day. Scientists have speculated that Asia is the most likely place, but it is difficult to say for sure.
- The wild counterpart of the cabbage has not yet been found, nor have the time and place where the garden cabbage was grown been determined.
Frequent questions
Because of the vitamins and health benefits of cabbage, it can be eaten every day
Yes, canning cabbage is possible, it retains its useful properties
Can be eaten in any form, but depending on the recipes, the cabbage loses its healthy vitamins
The benefits of the cabbage and soup diet are that you do not need to put your body under stress or strain
Yes, cabbage can be stored as a leaf or whole, having first cut off the stalk and part of the cabbage.
I livein the South part of London, so I have a little garden. Next summer I will plant a cabbage. Thanks to this article I learned about healthy properties of cabbage. It was surprise for me, as a new gardener I did not know about this green plant. I wabt to thank author for such a great article, it is very informative.
In fact, I adore cabbage, it can be added to different dishes, I really like stupid people, if someone does not know this, when the meat is wrapped in cabbage leaves and stewed in a pan over medium heat, it turns out very tasty, as I described it very tasty I will probably eat.
Cabbage contains all the nutrients necessary for a full human life. It has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes, has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The dietary fiber in cabbage perfectly removes cholesterol from the human body. Cabbage is rich in trace elements and vitamins. It contains: Calcium, which strengthens teeth and bones. Nicotine acid, or PP, is responsible for the release of energy during the processing of carbohydrates and fats.
Green cabbage is available all year round and is cheap. I put it into soup, all kinds of salads. Cabbage is low in calories, so it is suitable for dietary nutrition. Moreover it’s delicious.
It has long been proven that cabbage can prevent some types of cancer. This fact is very important.
I’ve never thought about using cabbage juice. Actually that’s a good idea.
Excellent article. It is impressive how long humanity has been consuming this wonderful plant, among the properties is that in its leaves we can find a very good source of vitamins, fiber, sugar, minerals and organic acids, and very important it contains a lot of vitamin C. In this article I was also able to know the great benefits of eating cabbage, the most important for me as it reduces blood sugar. In summary I liked the whole article.
Cabbage is one of my favorite vegetables, and it is known for its medicinal properties, which in the long run can be of great help to prevent diseases that is why it is fascinating to eat it. Since it is an incredibly nutritious food! This article is very good and has very interesting and useful information.
Cabbage is one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet, in my case I eat it raw in salads, and it is exceptionally rich in nutrients, very beneficial for health and quite tasty. The information you provide us is very useful since it is in itself a vegetable that is considered good for healthy consumption, but we should not exaggerate. I really liked this content.
I wonder if vitamins and other useful substances are preserved in white cabbage after thermal treatment. The thing is that I have gastritis and after eating cabbage, I suffer from heartburn.
I use blanching – I put the cabbage leaves into boiling water for 1 or 2 minutes and then use them in dishes. Cabbage leaves become soft and easily digested. I hope this is good for health.
This information is very interesting, I was not aware of the benefits of green cabbage, and how good it can be for health, apart from the fact that it contains a lot of phosphorus, calcium, salts, it is a vegetable that I have always prepared in salad accompanied by olive oil, extra virgin, vinegar and salt, it is very delicious so I recommend eating it raw.
I understand that nothing in excess is good, that cabbage gives gases and that if it is extra limited it can cause inflammation in the stomach, however we are facing one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet, due to its origin, its age and all the nutrients that this entails, I highly recommend this vegetable apart from the fact that it is one of my favorites and one of the ones that I always have on my plate, it is very rich in vitamins and minerals! Excellent article for those who want to be informed.
White cabbage, as everyone knows, contains a huge amount of nutrients and vitamins. It is especially useful for children and adolescents. Also, cabbage contains potassium, manganese, iron and iodine. And as everyone already knows that white cabbage has medicinal properties, it helps with various inflammations, such a compress reduces swelling. The vegetable is extremely useful and nutritious for kidney disease and cholelithiasis and ischemia.
I eat white cabbage all the time. This is an extremely healthy and delicious product. It promotes weight loss, as it has few calories. Cabbage is also very tasty and if I want to eat, then I eat cabbage first before eating, since it contains substances useful for digestion, it improves the secretion of hydrochloric acid by the stomach and promotes better absorption of food