The health benefits of red cabbage are many. Read on to find out why you’ll want to add some to your next salad!
Cabbage is one of those veggies that just goes well with everything! You can make it into a salad, add it to your soups, mix it in with your Asian cuisine, and the list goes on. You’ll find that cabbage is also one of the healthiest veggies around, not to mention one of the tastiest.
Red cabbage offers all of the same health benefits as regular cabbage, but with a few bonus benefits added in. Here is a list of some of the awesome reasons to eat more cabbage:
- Reduce Aging — Red cabbage is rich in both Vitamin C and Vitamin E, two nutrients that will help to reduce aging. Vitamin C is needed to produce collagen, the protein that keeps your skin young and fresh. Vitamin E helps to protect your skin against external damage.
- Boost Immune System –– Thanks to the vitamins in red cabbage, your body will be protected against invaders and pathogens. Vitamin C is one of the most important immune-boosting vitamins around, and Vitamin E will help your body to produce more of the antibodies needed to fight off microbes.
- Lower Cholesterol –– Thanks to the fiber in cabbage, you can get your cholesterol under control effectively. Steaming cabbage has proven to be the most effective method of cooking it to lower cholesterol, as the fiber in cabbage binds more effectively with the bile in your stomach once it has been cooked.
- Antioxidant Boost — As with any other colorful food, red cabbage is loaded to the hilt with antioxidants. The polyphenols in red cabbage will do wonders for your body (fighting free radicals and eliminating toxins), and you’ll find that the anthocyanins red cabbage contains will help to reduce inflammation in your body.
- Fight Cancer –– Just like all antioxidants, the polyphenols and anthocyanins in red cabbage will do wonders in the fight to protect your body from cancer. Cabbage also contains glucosinates, which help to prevent breast, colon, prostate, and color cancer.
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- Reduce Inflammation –– Inflammation in the body is a marker of cancer and a number of auto-immune disorders, and it can slow down healing and reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. But cabbage is loaded with nutrients that can help to reduce and prevent swelling in the body, particularly when it comes to chronic inflammation.
- Improve Digestion –– Thanks to all the digestive fiber in cabbage, you can have a healthy body and a regular digestive tract. Cabbage contains both soluble and insoluble fibers, which help to eliminate waste, promote healthy bowel movements, and reduce your risk of colon cancer. Definitely a good reason to eat more cabbage!
- Boost Heart Health –– If you want to reduce your risk of heart disease, you definitely need more cabbage in your life. Cabbage (particularly when steamed) is effective at binding with the bile acids in your stomach, preventing them from being absorbed into your body. This ensures that they–and the cholesterol they contain–are simply passed through the intestines and out the waste disposal exit.
- Improve Skin and Eye Health –– Cabbage contains Vitamin A, which is vital for not only healthy eyes (Vitamin A protects against cellular degeneration in the eyes), but also for healthy, fresh skin.
- Strengthen Bones — Cabbage is rich in calcium, one of the primary nutrients needed for healthy bones. Eating more cabbage will provide your body with the calcium needed to nourish your bones, teeth, and nails, reducing your risk of bone damage and osteoporosis.
