7 Health Benefits of Cabbage

A part of the Brassica family, cabbage is a leafy vegetable that has been eaten for centuries and for good reason. With red (also know as purple) and green varieties, it’s low calorie, inexpensive and a great source of many vitamins and minerals.

But often cabbage gets tossed by the way side reserved only for cabbage rolls and cole slaw, but no more. With it’s vast amount of health benefits and versatility in the kitchen, we’re breaking down the top 7 benefits this superfood gives your body, including aiding in weight loss and detoxifying the body.

1. It’s a great source of vitamins/minerals.

At only 17 calories per cup of cabbage, it really packs a nutrient punch: most notably, cabbage contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, beta-carotene, fiber, lutein and zeaxanthin. Some even argue the cabbage is the most nutritious vegetable of all!

2. It promotes heart health and fights cardiovascular disease.

Red cabbage contains anthocyanins (which are also found in grapes, berries…think red/purple fruits and veggies!) that act as powerful antioxidants and are a major factor in providing cardiovascular protection, including the protection of red blood cells.

Cabbage also has 20 different flavonoids and 15 different phenols which contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic benefits.

3. It’s anti-inflammatory and can aid in weight loss.

As mentioned, the anthocyanin content of cabbages attribute to their anti-inflammatory benefits thereby reducing your chance of disease. Also, by decreasing inflammation as well as being low in calories and high in water content, cabbage can be a great weight loss food.

4. It prevents type 2 diabetes.

According to studies, cabbage can be used to prevent type 2 diabetes or reduce blood glucose levels as a result of cabbages’ antioxidant and antihyperglyemic properties. The presence of fiber in cabbage also slows down the absorption of sugar which can also prevent diabetes.

5. It’s good for your gut and a natural detoxifyer.

Speaking of fiber, cabbage contains nearly 4 grams of fiber per cup (at a very low-calorie count, I might add!) which can improve digestion in your body. And when you have a healthy, efficient digestive system, your body is able to detoxify itself more efficiently.

Plus, due to the presence of sulfur in cabbage which help the liver break down toxins as well as its diruretic properties, cabbage helps to remove excess water and toxins from the body. Cabbage has also been been cited to heal stomach ulcers.

6. It has cancer-fighting properties.

And if all of the above benefits aren’t enough, cabbage has also has potent cancer-fighting ability due to the presence of sinigrin and glucosinolate converted into isothiocyanate compounds. It has been shown to be specifically good for the prevention of breast cancer, bladder cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer.

7. It is inexpensive.

Okay, this isn’t technically a “health” benefit per say, but cabbage is incredibly easy on the wallet which isn’t always the case for health foods. And when you’re feeling less stressed about money, your body is healthier, so there you go!

Other Tips for Eating More Cabbage

• If you’re not a cabbage eater, we recommend starting slow as for some people, it can take a little getting used to and cause gas.
• Roll it! Cabbage leaves are a great option for a wrap. Simply use a large cabbage leaf and put in whatever filling you’d like. We love this green roll recipe loaded with quinoa, turkey and hummus!
• Make your own sauerkraut by pickling cabbage if you’re up for a fun kitchen experiment or just grab a jar of this probiotic packed condiment.
• Make a side dish of cabbage by cutting the head into steaks (1-inch large rounds) and put it on top of the grill for a delicious charred flavor. Here’s a fun grilled cabbage recipe to whip out this weekend.
• If the oven if your preferred method of cooking, cabbage is a great vegetable to try roasted! Simply slice the head of cabbage into steaks, brush with olive oil and roast at 400 for 40-45 minutes or try this yummy balsamic honey roasted cabbage steaks.