Cabbage belongs to the Brassica genus of vegetables, including broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. However, most people assume cabbage is related to lettuce. Cabbage comes in a rainbow of colors; red, purple, white, and green. In addition, the leaves are either smooth or crinkled. Surprisingly, most people don’t realize the awesome nutrient content present in cabbage.
Aside from the micronutrients riboflavin, iron, and vitamin A, cabbage also includes the following vitamins and minerals:
- Protein
- Fiber
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Folate
- Manganese
- Vitamin B6
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
Vitamins B6 and folate do wonders for your body, including speeding up your metabolism, energy boosts, and helping normalize your nervous system. In addition to the benefits listed above, cabbage is high in fiber and chock full of antioxidants protecting you from free radicals and vitamin C, which may protect you from heart disease, cancer, and even vision loss!
But wait, folks, there’s more! Cruciferous veggies such as cabbage have been shown to reduce chronic inflammation. Bodies rely on their inflammatory response to protect against certain things such as infection and to speed up healing. However, cabbage helps with chronic inflammation issues associated with rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
While we are speaking of bowel disease, cabbage is great for improving digestive health as it’s rich in gut-friendly, insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is a carbohydrate our intestines cannot break down, so foods rich in insoluble fiber step up and take care of the job, keeping our digestive systems on track.
Cabbage Is Heart Healthy
But no one loves cabbage as much as your heart does! Red cabbage is full of anthocyanins. What the heck is anthocyanin? It’s a plant pigment that gives the cabbage its purple color. Studies show a link between pigment-rich foods and reduced risk of heart disease.
While cabbage reduces your risk of heart disease, the leafy goodness also may lower blood pressure. Recent data show increasing your potassium intake is just as beneficial at lowering blood pressure as reducing your salt intake. Opt for red cabbage in this instance as it’s an excellent source of potassium.
Give Me A K! Or Vitamin K for Kabbage, That Is
All jokes aside, cabbage is also high in vitamin K1 and is essential in the body as it acts as a cofactor for enzymes responsible for clotting blood. When a body is low on this vital nutrient, you lose the ability to clot properly, increasing the risk of bleeding excessively.
The fact is that cabbage is a very healthy and inexpensive option to add to your diet, and the benefits are immeasurable.
We know what we’re cooking up for St. Patrick’s Day! How about you?