The cabbage is a tasty vegetable that can grow in any type of soil, but is especially found in fertile soils. The better the soil, the faster the growth of the cabbage. The cabbage is believed to be one of the best vegetable plants, and is also one of the oldest ones.
It is an economical and versatile plant that can be found in any supermarket. It has a great nutritional value that can do a lot of good to your body. This is a veggie that can either be cooked or consumed raw, it is tasty in any way. So, today we are going to delve deeper into the subject, presenting to you a list of all the health benefits that the cabbage can provide you with.
1. It acts as an anti inflammatory agent – the cabbage is known to accumulate the build up of the cadmium binded complexes in its leaves, and one of the main components here is the glutamine. The glutamine is considered to be a strong anti inflammatory agent, so, this means that consuming the cabbage can reduce the effects of various inflammations, allergies, irritation, fever, joint pain, and different types of skin disorders.
2. Improves the health of the eyes – the cabbage is considered to be a rich source of beta carotene, and a lot of people, as they get older, turn to seek help from the cabbage because of its ability to prevent the development of macular degeneration and promote a general good eye health and delay the formation of cataract. The beta carotene has also been connected to reducing the chances of a prostate cancer, which is considered to be a bonus with all the benefits that come from the cabbage.
3. Improves the health of the brain – the cabbage is a powerful food for the brain! It contains Vitamin K and anthocyanins that give a strong boost and a better mental function as well as concentration. These compounds are mainly found in the red cabbage, and the Vitamin K is known to be the forgotten vitamin. It is essential for the wrapping that protects the nerves from decay and damage. This is why constant consumption of cabbage, and Vitamin K can decrease the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, neural degeneration and more. In addition to this, the anthocyanins are an area of research nowadays, indicating that it is a stronger compound than the Vitamin C (imagine that), and the red cabbage contains more of it than the regular cabbage. As it appears, this is a compound that can ward off diseases, infections, improve the nervous system, increase the function of the brain, reduce the chances of cancer and a lot more.
4. Improves the health of the bones – the cabbage, as well as all of the other cruciferous veggies, is an excellent source of minerals, among which magnesium, potassium and calcium. These three minerals have many times proven to be essential for giving protection to the bones from degradation, thus preventing the onset of issues such as osteoporosis and a general weakening of the bones.
5. Can regulate your blood pressure – the cabbage is filled with potassium, making it a wonderful veggie that will protect you from elevated blood pressure levels, thus decreasing the risk of a stroke and a heart attack. The potassium is able to open up the blood vessels and eases the blood flow, so it is not being forced in a stress inducing way through constricting veins and arteries. The cabbage is a great way to keep yourself away from any dangerous conditions.
6. Takes care of your skin – as we have already mentioned, the cabbage is quite the source of antioxidants, including anthocyanins, Vitamin C, sulphur and other smaller doses of minerals. The antioxidants play an important role in the health of th skin as well as general improvement in the body’s response to the process of aging. The damage the free radicals can do is basically the underlying cause of spots, wrinkles, skin discoloration, and a lot of other skin conditions. This is why the antioxidants you will get by consuming the cabbage can help you reverse the process of aging, leaving you feeling and looking healthy and younger.
7. Reduces the pain in the muscles – when some of the bacteria ferment the sugars in the cabbage such as during the cooking of the sauerkraut the lactic acid is released. This is not the easiest compound that you can find in a diet, but it has been proven to ease the muscle soreness and aches, so, in a very small way, the cabbage, depends on the way it is prepared, can provide you with a relief from muscles soreness and pain.
8. Can detox your body – the cabbage can act as a detox food too, because it is able to purify the blood and get rid of all the toxins, especially when it comes to the free radicals and uric acid. These are the primary causes of gout, arthritis, rheumatism, eczema, skin diseases, renal calculi and so on. This detoxing properties are all thanks to the Vitamin C and sulphur present in the cabbage.
9. Will relieve headaches – thanks to all of the nutrients which are present in the cabbage, this amazing veggie will not only provide you with an improved mental function, but is also able to relieve headaches. The cabbage can definitely come in handy as a healthy snack when you haven’t had much time for sleeping or you are just feeling that your mind is overwhelmed and aching.
10. Cure hangovers – if you happen to have drunk a little bit more the previous night, the cabbage is the food you have to turn to in order to cure your hangover. Try consuming it the day after you’ve had a little more to drink, and see what miracles it will bring to you!
If you are eager to obtain the most health benefits out of the cabbage, make sure you avoid overcooking it because it decreases the value of Vitamin C in it, and it makes all of the other ingredients much harder to be digested by the body. The cabbage can be consumed in various ways – steamed, sauted, boiled, stir fried or even roasted. But the cabbage is most definitely at its best when it is consumed raw. You can add some grated or sliced leaves in a salad in order to make it more nutrient dense and enjoy!
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