Although you may be familiar with using cabbage as one of the ingredients in your various dishes, did you know that it has additional benefits? This low-cost food offers a number of advantages that we can really benefit from.
The true power of cabbage is known even to those who lived in ancient times. Some even claimed that because it grew in moonlight, it possessed moon powers. A lot of information has been developed and finalized as a result of modern times as to why cabbage is regarded as a superfood that should always be included in our diets.
The History of Cabbage
Around 4,000 BC, cabbage was first cultivated in China, and people there were already aware of its many health advantages. The Celts probably brought back a few cabbages to Europe because of what they could offer. Cabbage wasn't first introduced to America until the 1500s by the crew. Because gangrene affected the majority of the people who brought it to America, it was applied topically.
Different Types of Cabbage
Here are some types of cabbage that you ought to be familiar with:
- Green Cabbage
- Nappa Cabbage
- Red Cabbage
- Savoy Cabbage
There are some people who are not aware that Bok Choy and Brussel Sprouts are also considered as types of cabbages.
Why do you not include cabbage in your diet? It may not be the most appealing vegetable out there right now but after learning its benefits, you just might change your mind. Get to know more about the different health benefits of cabbage now.
1. It can help improve the brain’s mental function.
The thing about cabbage is that it contains anthocyanins as well as Vitamin K. These two components can help the brain function better as it increases concentration and focus on the task being done. Nerve damage is one of the reasons why people are unable to think fully and this can help stop the possibility of acquiring some nerve related diseases like Dementia and Alzheimer’s. If you want to get the full effect of this, it is best that you choose the red cabbage variety.
2. It can help detoxify the body.
One of the problems that people encounter is the large number of toxins that usually affect the body. Toxins usually come from the food that we eat. If you eat too much of something, there are bound to be toxins that will be problematic for the rest of the body. The usual toxins that are found in the body are free radicals and uric acid. Including cabbage in your diet will allow you to get rid of possible causes of other diseases such as arthritis and a wide array of other skin diseases.
3. It is known to have some compounds that can help get rid of cancer.
Cancer is one of the diseases that can cut people’s lives short. You do not want to be afflicted with the disease and you do not want anyone in your family to have this type of condition as well. There are still no known reasons why some people get cancer but the cells can multiply and increase over time. Cabbage contains some properties that are known to be effective in getting rid of cancer. Cabbage contains sinigrin, lupeol and sulforophane. These compounds can increase the activity of enzymes and eventually help stop the growth of cancer tumors in different parts of the body. Aside from cabbage, eating other cruciferous vegetables may be effective in getting rid of some types of cancer. For men, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer. Adding more cabbage to one’s diet can help reduce men’s chances of acquiring this type of cancer.
4. It is known to provide the body with folates.
One of the essential components of DNA is Folate and this is usually needed by pregnant women. Adding cabbage to the diet can help decrease the possibility of babies acquiring certain birth defects, it can also help the body feel fuller even without consuming too many calories. Cabbage can be mixed with other vegetables and other ingredients in order to make it taste better. While eating something that you love, you are also supplying enough folate to your baby in order to make you and your baby healthier than usual.
5. It can help regulate your blood pressure.
One of the main problems that you may encounter is high blood pressure especially after eating fatty food products. Cabbage contains potassium that can help open up the blood vessels so that pressure will not build up. It has been said that cooking cabbage for a short period of time or eating it raw may release its cholesterol lowering properties that can be beneficial for you too if you suspect that your cholesterol level is currently high.
6. It can help get rid of headaches.
Suffering from a headache can be very hard. Even if you are trying to concentrate on doing the task at hand, you cannot help but feel distracted because of the headaches that you are experiencing. There are different reasons why you are suffering from headaches. It might be because of stress, change of weather or it may be a sign of sickness. No matter what the reason is, you can use cabbage to get rid of headaches by doing this process:
- Make a compress made out of warm cabbage leaves.
- You need to crush the cabbage leaves and place them in clean cloth.
- Apply the cabbage leaves on your forehead.
If in case you are suffering from chronic headaches because of different medical conditions, you can place cabbage in a juicer and drink cabbage juice. If you cannot take the taste, you can add it with other ingredients that will improve the taste a bit.
7. It can help improve eye health.
There are a lot of people who start to report that their vision is not as clear as it used to be probably because of their work and probably because of the different food that they eat. If you want to take preventive measures against your failing vision, you can include cabbage as a part of your diet. Cabbage is known to prevent macular degeneration and will help delay the formation of cataract especially for people who are already expected to experience cataract in the future.
8. It has anti inflammatory properties that can be essential for the body.
Inflammation of different parts of the body can lead to a variety of medical conditions. It is a good thing that this can be avoided because of glutamine which is one of the main components of cabbage. If you are suffering from certain types of inflammation that leads to allergies, joint pain and fever among others, then include cabbage as a part of your diet. It will make a huge difference.
9. It contains a high amount of sulfur that can help beautify any person.
There are a lot of skin conditions that people may get afflicted with that will not make people feel particularly beautiful but consuming cabbage can help get rid of certain issues since it is high in sulfur. Sulfur is known to be an agent that contains Keratin which can be effective for making the nail, skin and hair more beautiful.
Direction
- You can create an all natural mask that is made out of cabbage.
- Simply chop up cabbage leaves.
- Add a few drops of olive oil.
- You can also add rice flour if you want.
- Place the mask on the face for a few minutes.
- Remove and rinse face as usual.
10. It can help you lose weight naturally.
Are you searching for something that will allow you to lose weight naturally? You will not be disappointed with cabbage as long as you will include it in your diet. Remember that the best way to eat cabbage is when you eat it raw or if you steam it for a short period of time. Cooking it longer than a few minutes will remove some of its properties. The usual benefits that you can get from eating cabbage as a part of your weight loss plan are the following:
- It is loaded with fiber which means that you will feel fuller faster.
- It is full of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that the body currently needs.
- It only contains 33 calories per cup so you can consume a lot of cabbage throughout a day and you will feel full.
11. It can help aid in digestion.
There are a lot of studies which reported how cabbage can help in prevention of certain stomach issues like stomach ulcers. Aside from the stomach, cabbage can be good for the whole digestive tract. There are some amino acids present in cabbage that can be very effective for certain digestive issues and problems. There are times when there is too much bacteria can be found inside the stomach. This type of stomach bacteria is regularly found in the stomach but too much of it can cause some issues.
12. It can help get rid of really bad hangovers.
Do you realize that cabbage has been used for a long period of time by the ancient Romans and Greeks in order to get rid of their intoxication with alcohol? Normally, you would eat cabbage first before you start drinking as this will allow you to consume more alcohol in the long run. If in case you only want to get rid of a hangover, you can mix cabbage with white vinegar and eat it. Not only will this help detoxify your body, you will not suffer too much from hangovers as well.
Selecting the Right Cabbage
When purchasing from different stores, you need to choose the best cabbages available. Here are a few things that you should look for:
- Search for cabbages with heads that are firm and dense.
- The leaves should be shiny and colorful.
- Try to stay away from leaves that have some blemishes and cracks.
- Search for cabbage that has not been cut yet. The moment that cabbage has been cut, its Vitamin C content also loses.
- Choose cabbage that has been organically grown in order to reduce the possibility of the cabbage being exposed to pesticides as well as other types of chemicals that may have some bad effects on the body in the long run.
When it comes to storing cabbage that you will not use yet, you are recommended to place the cabbage in the refrigerator because this will keep the nutrients and the quality of the cabbage intact for at least a week.
The Best Way to Cook Cabbage
There are different methods that you can do so that you can cook and consume cabbage. While you may eat it raw, there are some people who prefer cooking it first. You can steam or boil it but this can make the cabbage watery and a lot less appealing. If you want to make it taste better, you may want to sautee it. Remember to do the following:
- Slice cabbage into 1/4 inch slices before you start cooking it.
- You need to wait a few minutes to let the nutrients settle down.
- Mix it with other vegetables and just add a bit of salt and pepper to make it taste better.
There are some people who prefer using sauces in order to enhance the taste of the cabbage. It would be up to you if you want to do this.
Some Precautions When Eating Cabbage
While eating cabbage is known to be good for you, there are times when you may encounter some problems while eating cabbage. If you have thyroid issues, it is best that you will avoid consuming this first because your body may not absorb as much iodine that the thyroid gland needs in order to work properly. Another thing to remember is that different types of cabbage can be mixed with different meals. The wrong type of cabbage can make the flavors all wrong.
Are you ready to include cabbage in your diet now?