14 Healthy Reasons To Make You Eat Your Cabbage – A Super Food

When I was a little girl, I had my first taste of cabbage. To my surprise, as well as my parents, I liked it. Whether it was raw or cooked, I couldn't get enough cabbage. I still love cabbage today, and when I want to shed a few pounds I make a killer cabbage soup which I will share with you. But first, I want you to know how healthy this member of the cruciferae or brassicaceae family is. If you don't know how healthy this wonderful vegetable is, stick around and find out.

 I hope that after you read this, you will let me know if you truly learned more about this super healthy vegetable and if you intend to include it in your diet. I so much want you to try my cabbage soup recipe and know if you like it. It is coming up soon. First, I will inform you about the many benefits that cabbage will bring you.

1. 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. I, have already tested the effects of cabbage with some inflammation I carry and can testify that it has helped me.

2. Besides 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.

3. 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

4. It contains Manganese

5. Good source for vitamin B6

6. Full of folate

7. Contains omega 3 fatty acids

8. Vitamin B1 and B2

9. Plenty of potassium

10. Vitamin A is found in cabbage. Being rich in vitamin A, cabbage is said to be very good for your eyes as well as your skin.

11. Tryptophan

12. Protein

13. Magnesium

14. 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.

       Here is an added bonus.   Cabbage contains phytonutrients that help the body in fighting against the free radicals responsible for damaging the cell membranes. Also, phytonutrients aid the production of enzymes that help in detoxification.

This next reason for including cabbage at the dinner table is very close to my heart, as I know it is to many of you. My mother died of breast cancer, my best friend of colon cancer, my ex husband of kidney cancer and my son, of testicular cancer.

Cabbage has been found to be associated with lower incidence of cancer, especially lung, stomach, colon and prostate cancer. Here are more benefits.

· The vegetable is very good for building of muscles and a healthy body. This is because it is rich in iodine, which is necessary for proper muscle development.

· Researches have proved that fresh cabbage juice helps in the healing of stomach ulcer. It also contains sulfur which is very effective in the treatment of fungus infection and gastritis.

· Cabbage also contains lots of vitamin C and vitamin D. The former helps in the burning of fat, while the latter helps maintain skin vigor.

· Sulforaphane, found in cabbage, augments the production of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes in the body.

Cabbage contains lactic acid that acts to disinfect colon. Lactic acid is also a significant source of energy for the body. It even helps reduce soreness of muscles.

· Cabbage is known to have detoxifying properties. It purifies the blood and works to remove toxins from the body. The vitamin C and sulphur present in cabbage accounts for its detoxifying qualities.

· Free radicals and uric acid, which are identified to be the main cause of rheumatism, gout, arthritis, renal calculi, skin diseases, eczema, hardening and de-colorization of skin etc, are also removed from the body due to cabbage consumption.

· Drinking 25-50 ml of cabbage juice helps treat headache, asthma, bronchitis and digestion problems

· The vitamin B in cabbage helps in sustaining veracity of nerve endings as well as boosting of energy metabolism.

Red cabbage contains an antioxidant known as anthocyanin. This antioxidant is believed to be helpful in protection of brain cells and thus, in the avoidance of Alzheimers disease.

Right up front, I want you to know that you can add or delete any of my recipes vegetables, spices and such. However, you cannot delete the cabbage! :-)

• 1/2 medium head cabbage, chopped
• 4 stalkscelery, cut into small slices
• 1sweet onion, finely diced
• 4 large carrots cut into small slices
• 2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
• 1 14.5 oz can organic tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups tomato-vegetable juice cocktail
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 14.5 oz chicken broth (delete if vegetarian)
• 3/4 cup ketchup or 1 can tomatoe paste

Note: If you like spicier flavor, either add ginger root (small amount fresh) or cayenne pepper (just a little will do).

Suggestions: You can also add kale - wash thoroughly (very healthy) and or okra and perhaps a can of corn.

Sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top of servings bowls.

Place the cabbage into an 8-qt soup pot. Add carrots, celery, potatoes and any other veggies you choose. Add onion and ketchup or tomatoe paste. Next, add chicken and vegetable broth, adding water to empty containers and cover. Bring mixture to a boil and simmer for 2 to 3 hours.

I like to serve with a loaf of french baguette sliced.

This recipe freezes well for a quick dinner when you need one.

So now you have learned the 14 healthy reasons to love your cabbage - a super food. And if you want to lose a pound or two, this is a good way to get started and you can eat all you want.

I wish you all very good health and enjoy eating your cabbage.