Cabbage is a leafy green or purple biennial plant that is closely related to broccoli and cauliflower. Besides being a delicious food, cabbage is also extremely healthy since it is rich in numerous nutrients including antioxidants which are present in all cruciferous vegetables. The nutrients that cabbages contain are zeaxanthin, phytonutrients, thiocyanates, lutein, isothiocyanates and sulforaphane. All these nutrients have the ability to stimulate numerous detoxifying enzymes.
Cabbages are very powerful in the treatment of several cancer types such as prostate, colon and breast cancer. However, recent studies have also shown that cabbages have the ability to lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels too.
Some cabbage types are rich in anthocyanin polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants that also have anti-inflammatory, therapeutic, protective and preventative properties for health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and many more.
The healing benefits of cabbage
Cabbages have been used since ancient times as an ingredient in the kitchen and as a natural remedy. Ancient Greeks have used cabbage juice as a constipation treatment or in cases of mushroom poisoning. Ancient Egyptians have used cabbage to reduce alcohol effects from drinking wine.
Irish people treated ulcers and burns with the help of cabbage, while the British used the leaves to treat “trench foot”. The health benefits of cabbage were known for a long time however what is the thing that makes it so powerful and beneficial for the health?
Cabbage vs. Cancer
Cabbages have strong anti-cancer properties due to the high amounts of phytonutrients they contain. Numerous studies have proven that cabbages are able to prevent cancer particularly because of these three types of nutrients: antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and glucosinolates.
- Antioxidants
Cabbages are rich in vitamin C and manganese but also in numerous polyphenols that are the main ingredients which give the cabbage the antioxidant properties. A half-cup serving of white cabbage contains even 50 milligrams of polyphenols, and half-cup serving of whole red cabbage has almost 30 milligrams of anthocyanins.
Antioxidant are very important for preventing numerous diseases, so if we don’t include them in our diets enough our bodies will experience oxidative stress. Oxidative stress causes the oxygen metabolism to become compromised thus increases the risk of cancer.
- Anti-inflammatories
Anthocyanins that are found in red cabbage have strong anti-inflammatory properties. If we don’t include more of these anti-inflammatory compounds our inflammatory system becomes compromised. This results in chronic inflammation that also increases the risk of cancer formation.
- Glucosinolates
These compounds contain Sulphur and nitrogen which are also able to prevent cancer. Studies have proven the beneficial properties of glucosinolates from cabbage in treatment and prevention of cancers such as prostate, colon, breast and bladder cancer.
Cabbage vs. diabetes
A study published by Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine has shown the ability of cabbage extract to reduce blood glucose levels. In the study the scientists gave diabetic rats red cabbage extracts for 2 months. After the trial the tests have shown reduced blood glucose levels, improved kidney function and reduced excess weight more than in those rats who weren’t given red cabbage.
Researchers have also discovered that cabbage is an excellent source of fiber which is able to slow down sugar absorption thus prevent diabetes.
Cabbage and vitamins
Cabbages are rich in various vitamins, for example ½ cup of green cabbage contains almost 50% of the RDA of vitamin C and 102% of vitamin K. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant while vitamin K is able to prevent blood clotting and improve bone health.
Cabbage juice recipe
Ingredients:
- Cabbage
- Apple cider vinegar
Preparation:
- Slice the cabbage in two halves and store one of them for another usage.
- Pour warm water in a bowl, add a little apple cider vinegar and then soak the cabbage in the liquid.
- Juice the cabbage.
- You should consume one or two glasses of the juice daily, one in the morning and one in the evening.
How to choose the right cabbage
Red cabbages contain more antioxidants than green ones, however green ones such as Savoy and Chinese have stronger anti-inflammatory properties. In case you want to experience both benefits you should use a variety of cabbages in order to increase your phytochemical intake. Raw cabbage is best for preparation of this recipe.