Winter Vegetables: Cabbage

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Benefits of Cabbage

• Cabbage is an abundant source of vitamin C. You might be surprised to know that it is actually richer in vitamin C than oranges
• Vitamin C, one of the best antioxidants, reduces free radicals in your body that causes premature aging. It also assists in repairing the wear and tear of the body through the course of life. As a result, cabbage is very helpful in boosting the immune system, defending against cold and cough, depression, treating ulcers, and certain cancers. It speeds up the healing process for wounds and damaged tissues, regulates the proper functioning of the nervous system, and reduce the effects and presence of Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative neural diseases.
• It helps prevent scurvy. This is a disease commonly characterized by spongy and bleeding gums, cracked lip corners, weakened immune system, frequent infections and cold, premature aging, and depression.
• A lack of roughage (fibrous indigestible material) in food can result in constipation, stomach ulcers, headaches, gastrointestinal cancers, indigestion, and a subsequent loss of appetite. Lack of fiber can even extend to skin diseases, eczema, premature aging, and many of mild to serious conditions.
• Cabbage is very rich in fiber, this helps the body retain water and it maintains the bulkiness of the food as it moves through the bowels. It is a good remedy for constipation and other problems related to digestion.
• Cabbage is rich in sulfur and it is a very useful nutrient to fight infections. A deficiency of sulfur can result in microbial infections and greatly reduces rate in healing of wounds
• This vegetable also has a number of anti-cancer compounds, like lupeol, sinigrin, and sulforaphane. These compounds are known to stimulate enzyme activity and inhibit the growth of tumors that lead to cancer.
• Cabbage is known to accumulate a build-up of cadmium-binding complexes in its leaves and one of the main components of that is glutamine. Glutamine is a strong anti-inflammatory agent, which can reduce the effects of allergies, many types of inflammation, irritation, joint pain, fever, and various skin disorders.
• It is also a rich source of beta-carotene, which is know for the ability to prevent macular degeneration, promote good eye health and delay cataract formation. Beta-carotene has also been linked to reduce chances of prostate cancer.
• Cabbage is a great vegetable for those who want to lose weight to include in their diet. It is packed with many beneficial vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, it is a healthy dietary option for people to eat and is quite filling since it has high levels of fiber. It is also low in calories, with only 33 calories in a cup of cooked cabbage.
• With he presence of vitamin K and anthocyanins, eating cabbage can give a strong boost to mental function and concentration. Vitamin K is essential for the production of sphingolipids, the myelin sheath around nerves. This wrapping is what protects nerves from damage and decay. Therefore, consuming veggies high in vitamin K can improve your defense against neural degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
• Red cabbage has even more types of anthocyanins than green cabbage.
• Cabbage is great source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These three essential minerals are integral in the protection of bones from degradation and the onset of conditions like osteoporosis and general bone weakening.
• Potassium is a vasodilator, which means that it opens up the blood vessels and eases the flow of blood. Great addition to people who have high blood pressure. It helps relieve the constriction of the blood vessels.
• Free radicals can cause of wrinkles, discoloration, spots, and many skin other conditions. The antioxidants you get from eating cabbage can turn-around the aging process leaving you feeling and looking healthy and young.
• Lactic acid is released when bacteria ferments the sugars in cabbage during the preparation of sauerkraut. It has been shown to reduce muscle soreness and aches. Cabbage can help general pain relief and muscle soreness, depending on how it is prepared.
• Eating cabbage purifies the blood and removes toxins. Primarily free radicals and uric acid which are the main causes of arthritis, eczema, gout, rheumatism, renal calculi, and skin diseases. This detoxifying effect is due to the high content of vitamin C and sulfur in cabbage.
• Being rich in iodine, cabbage helps in proper functioning of the brain and the nervous system, along with keeping the glands of the endocrine system in proper condition. It is good for the brain and is useful in the treatment of neural disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The other nutrients in this vegetable, such as vitamin E, keep the skin, eyes, and hair healthy. The calcium, magnesium, and potassium are very useful for a wide range of health benefits. Cabbage can also be used for the treatment of varicose veins, leg ulcers, and peptic and duodenal ulcers.


Source: Organicfacts.net