Health Benefits of Cabbage 

Below you can see the Cabbage health benefits and Nutrition Value.

1. Promotes Weight Loss

Just like all the other cruciferous vegetables, cabbage is also rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. It is also quite low in calories. If you eat a whole cabbage, you will feel full and get plenty of your required nutrients, but not gain many calories. Cabbage can be fermented to make sauerkraut, a delicious and sour food, which is healthy for the ones who are watching their weight. Fermenting is done with the help of bacteria called the probiotics. When we consume food containing probiotics, it takes a short-term residence in our digestive system, which plays an important role in improving our overall body metabolism

2. Prevents Cancer:

Sulforaphane is a substance found in cabbage that increases anti-cancer effects in your body. However, there are many other properties of cabbage that are said to prevent cancer 1. Some of these properties include diindolylmethane (DIM), sinigrin, lupeol and indole 3- carbinol (I3C). All you need to do is to just add some cabbage to your everyday food and prevent yourself from cancer.

3. Helps Detoxify Body

Cabbage is rich in vitamin C and sulfur; both are known to remove toxins such as free radicals and uric acid from our body. Moreover, cabbage juice contains 'In-dole-3 carbonize' antioxidant, which plays a pivotal role in detoxifying our liver. The liver plays a crucial role in various metabolic functions of the body - protein synthesis, hormone production, glycogen storage regulation, etc. According to Dr. Komal, Nutritionist at SCI International Hospital, "Cabbage juice helps in improving the bowel movement as well and as such keeps the liver in a good condition."

4. Lowers Cholesterol

Cabbage can also be used to help lower your cholesterol. Its fiber and nutrients bind with bile acids in the intestine and pass out in the stool, rather than being absorbed into the blood. Eating it steamed gives it more cholesterol-lowering power.

5. Manages Blood Sugar

Red cabbages are rich in phytonutrients called betalains, which give them their distinctive color. Betalains are known to lower blood sugar levels and aid in insulin production. Cabbage is also packed with antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemia properties that make it a medicine for diabetes. As per a study published in the British Medical Journal, eating cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and spinach may reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. A diet rich in leafy green vegetables was associated with a 14 percent reduced risk of developing diabetes.

6. Prevents Stomach Ulcers:

Cabbage has anti-ulcer properties that can prevent you from having stomach ulcers. This is because of its high source of glutamine that helps in building proteins in your immune system. Glutamine also plays an integral role in intestinal health and good food digestion. Thus, make it a point to consume cabbage as this will do good to your health.

7. Promotes Healthy Skin

Both purple and green cabbages are rich in silicon and sulfur, which are known as 'beauty minerals'. Sulfur is particularly present in every cell as it is responsible for pulling in nutrition and removing waste from the cells; this is what is called osmosis. For clear skin, you need to have good osmosis. According to the book, 'Healing Foods', by D K Publishing, Cabbage "contains vitamins C and K, and antioxidants that protect the skin from free-radical damage. Its sulfur content may be useful in healing acne and eczema.

8. Reduces Inflammation:

Inflammation causes unnecessary pain and discomfort and can also lead to a host of other diseases and ailments. Glutamine, an amino acid found in cabbage, is a strong anti-inflammatory agent, helping to reduce joint pain, arthritis, and ease allergies. Cabbage is considered one of the top 10 best food sources of glutamine.

9. Anti-Inflammatory Properties:

Cabbage has a rich source of amino acids that help fight inflammation. Amino acids are in the form of proteins that help in food digestion and the human body uses these amino acids to make proteins to break down food.

10. Speeds Up the Recovery Process

Cabbage leaves are used as a poultice. Using these leaves can ease skin eruptions caused by acne, psoriasis, eczema, ulcers, wounds, insect bites and rashes. Grated leaves or blended leaves can be applied directly over the affected area with some dressing for faster healing.

Cabbage Nutrition Facts

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), per 100 grams of cabbage contain 0.10 gm fat, 18 mg sodium, 170 mg potassium, 5.80 gm carbohydrates, and 1.28 gm protein. Cabbage is a low-calorie vegetable that is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

In fact, just 1 cup (89 grams) of raw green cabbage contains (2):

Calories: 22

Protein: 1 gram

Fiber: 2 grams

Vitamin K: 85% of the RDI

Vitamin C: 54% of the RDI

Folate: 10% of the RDI

Manganese: 7% of the RDI

Vitamin B6: 6% of the RDI

Calcium: 4% of the RDI

Potassium: 4% of the RDI

Magnesium: 3% of the RDI