Here’s Why You Should Be Eating More Cabbage This Year

In case you didn’t already know, cabbage is quite good for you. A staple of several cuisines, it can be eaten in a plethora of ways.

It can be served fermented, stewed, steamed, braised, sautéed, raw – you name it.

cabbage

Plus, while it may not have the same trendy appeal, cabbage also has many of the same nutritional benefits as kale. Plus, it also comes in a rainbow of colors, too. So, take that, hipsters.

Nutritional Stats

Cabbage is such a fantastic and versatile vegetable, but that’s not all. It’s also packed with fiber as week as phytonutrients that are important to a healthy diet. Oh, and it’s low in calories too.

A single cup of chopped cabbage has just 22 calories, zero fat, and no cholesterol either. It’s got 151mg of potassium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 2.2 grams of fiber, and 1 gram of protein. When it comes to vitamins, it has 54% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, too.

Health Benefits

While you can’t subsist solely on cabbage alone, it’s certainly a good veggie to have in your fridge. Here ate some of the incredible health benefits.

With over 2 grams of fiber per cup, cabbage is great for your digestive system. It can also help lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol.

The pigments in red and purple cabbage also have their own special health benefits, too. These flavonoids, called anthocyanins, can help protect against chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. These phytonutrients can boost circulation and help reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease.

But wait, there’s more – cabbage also contains glucosinolates. This natural chemical, also found in mustard and horseradish plants, are being studied for their effects on dementia and cancer. It’s believed that these may actually lower your cancer risk.

Cruciferous Veggies

Cabbage is incredibly nutrient dense, but it’s still important to eat a variety of different vegetables – especially other cruciferous ones.

These veggies are absolutely crucial when it comes to staying healthy. And the more you eat, the better.

Other cruciferous options include the ever-popular Kale, collard greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and watercress. Additionally, many other plants in the mustard family also make the list.