Cabbage Benefits
Cabbage has long been noted for its ability to help people lose
weight. From the cabbage soup diet to eating cabbage in other recipes,
cabbage can help people lose weight and keep the weight off. What
you may not realize, however is that Cabbage is full of many vitamins
and minerals. It has been a staple food throughout many parts of
the world and is a beneficial addition to any person’s diet.
Cabbage is a member of the Cruciferae or Brassicaceae family of
vegetables. These are commonly referred to as crucifers or the cabbage
family. Cabbage is related to the wild mustard plant and is low
in carbohydrates. Cabbage may be eaten raw as served in coleslaw,
or it may be cooked and used for soups, stews, and borscht. In Germany,
cabbage is pickle in vinegar and served as Sauerkraut. Also, throughout
history cabbage has been harvested for its medicinal purposes. It
is high in amino acids and is believed to help those who are suffering
from any type of inflammation.
In addition to being low in carbohydrates, cabbage is also an excellent
source of Vitamin C. In fact, one serving or cup of cabbage provides
more than 50% of the daily requirement for Vitamin C. It is also
an excellent source of Vitamin K. One cup of cabbage provides more
than 90% of the recommended daily allowance. Vitamin K plays an
important role in helping the body fight against invaders and bacteria.
Since cabbage is high in Vitamin K, it helps to strengthen the Immune
system and help the body fight against sickness and disease.
Cabbage is also a rich source of dietary fiber, providing nearly
15% of the daily recommended requirement. Fiber is very important
for ensuring that the body’s digestive system is functioning
and regular. Eating cabbage is a great way to ensure that your digestive
track is functioning at optimum level.
In addition to being high in Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and dietary
fiber cabbage also has many other nutrients that makes it a great
food source. It contains Manganese, Vitamin B6, Folate, Omega 3
Fatty Acids, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B2, Calcium, Potassium, Vitamin
A, Tryptophan, Protein, and Magnesium.
It may be the amount of calories that has helped make cabbage a
great food choice for those who are dieting or watching their weight.
One serving (one cup) of cabbage contains a mere 33 calories. This
is why those who are on the cabbage soup diet can eat endless amounts
of the soup without gaining weight, while still feeling healthy.
There are many diets that promote a sense of well being, but cabbage
is an excellent choice of many nutrients and minerals making it
a great choice for those watching their weight. However, it is important
to realize that cabbage is low in both carbohydrates as well as
protein. It is a vegetable and therefore its nutritious sustenance
is compromised mostly of vitamins and minerals. Yet when cabbage
is added to a healthy diet, its nutritional content is abundant.
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