Fresh cabbage is an excellent source of nutrition, here's just a few reasons why you should be including it in your diet:
Lowers Cholesterol
Eating cabbage is a cheap and easy way to cut down cholesterol. Once you steam cabbage, the fibre properties bind with bile acids in your stomach and help your body absorb less cholesterol.
Relieves Menopausal Symptoms
Cabbage, particularly red cabbage, contains phytoestrogens which can help reduce hot flashes and aid hormone balance.
Anti-ageing
Cabbage is rich in vitamin C which is known to provide anti-ageing benefits for skin, hair and teeth. The vitamin A found in cabbage also improves complexion and can encourage the growth of new skin cells.
Healing
It is known for its healing properties when used as part of a wrap to treat skin irritations such as acne, insect bites and eczema. You can blend cabbage and mix it with water, soak a cloth with the liquid and place it on your skin for 20 minutes. You may also wish to crush the leaves with water and rub directly into your skin.
Prevents Hair Loss
Cabbage is rich in sulphur and vitamin A which are both known to stimulate hair growth and the antioxidant properties can prevent the loss of hair from the scalp.
Helps Prevent Cancer
The glucisonalates found in cabbage are phytochemicals that break down into isothiocyanate compounds and other cancer-preventive properties that can work against different cancers including: bladder, colon, breast and prostate cancer.
Immunity Booster
The high vitamin C content in cabbage can help boost your immunity and stimulate detoxifying enzymes.
Reduces Risk Of Alzheimer’s
The vitamin K and anthocyanins in cabbage has been found to protect cognitive functions and fight against the plaque that builds up causing memory loss.
Weight Loss
Cabbage is very low in calories and high in fibre, which makes it a perfect meal component. It will leave you feeling more full without the calories and provides you with all the nutrition you need.
Article by Lovisa Nilsson. Lovisa is the in-house nutritionist at leading health and fitness app, Lifesum.