Is Cabbage High In Nutrients
While it may look a lot like lettuce, it actually belongs to the Brassica genus of vegetables, which includes broccoli, cauliflower and kale (1).It comes in a variety of shapes and colors, including red, purple, white and green, and its leaves can be either crinkled or smooth.This vegetable has been grown around the world for thousands of years and can be found in a variety of dishes, including sauerkraut, kimchi and coleslaw.As you can see in the list above, it is rich in vitamin B6 and folate, both of which are essential for many important processes in the body, including energy metabolism and the normal functioning of the nervous system.In addition, cabbage is high in fiber and contains powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols and sulfur compounds (2).Cabbage is especially high in vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that may protect against heart disease, certain cancers and vision loss ( 3 , 4 , 5 ).Collagen gives structure and flexibility to the skin and is critical for the proper functioning of the bones, muscles and blood vessels ( 12 ).Vitamin C works to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals, which has been associated with many chronic diseases, including cancer ( 14 ).In fact, a recent analysis of 21 studies found that the risk of lung cancer decreased by 7% for each daily 100-mg increase in vitamin C intake ( 17 ).However, this study was limited because it could not determine whether the decreased risk of lung cancer was caused by vitamin C or other compounds found in fruits and vegetables.One cup (89 grams) of chopped red cabbage packs in 85% of the recommended intake for vitamin C, which is the same amount found in a small orange (21).Insoluble fiber helps keep the digestive system healthy by adding bulk to stools and promoting regular bowel movements ( 22 ).These bacteria perform important functions like protecting the immune system and producing critical nutrients like vitamins K2 and B12 ( 24 , 25 ).May Help Keep Your Heart Healthy Red cabbage contains powerful compounds called anthocyanins.Many studies have found a link between eating foods rich in this pigment and a reduced risk of heart disease ( 26 ).In a study including 93,600 women, researchers found that those with a higher intake of anthocyanin-rich foods had a much lower risk of a heart attack ( 27 ).It found that increasing flavonoid intake by 10 mg per day was associated with a 5% lower risk of heart disease (28).Increasing your intake of dietary anthocyanins has also been shown to reduce blood pressure and the risk of coronary artery disease ( 29 , 30 ).Inflammation is known to play a major role in the development of heart disease, and anthocyanins’ protective effect against it is likely due to their anti-inflammatory qualities.However, recent evidence suggests that increasing your dietary potassium is just as important for lowering blood pressure (33).One of its main jobs is to help regulate blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium in the body (34).Eating more potassium-rich cabbage is a delicious way to lower high blood pressure and may help keep it within a healthy range (33).A large analysis of 67 studies showed that when people ate 2–10 grams of soluble fiber per day, they experienced a small, yet significant, decrease in LDL cholesterol levels of roughly 2.2 mg per deciliter ( 38 ).Increasing phytosterol intake by 1 gram per day has been found to reduce LDL cholesterol concentrations by as much as 5% ( 40 ).Cabbage is a terrific source of vitamin K1, delivering 85% of the recommended daily amount in a single cup (89 grams) (2).Without vitamin K, the blood would lose its ability to clot properly, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding.It can be eaten raw or cooked and added to a wide variety of dishes like salads, soups, stews and slaws.No matter how you prepare cabbage, adding this cruciferous vegetable to your plate is a tasty way to benefit your health