Cabbage: useful properties and contraindications. Which cabbage is he althier for the human body

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

One of the most popular vegetables in many countries is cabbage. Its beneficial properties have long been studied, and it is recognized as a useful dietary product. Cabbage contains many useful trace elements and fiber. From it you can cook a variety of tasty and he althy dishes. In addition to the well-known white cabbage, you can use other types of it for food, which are no less he althy and tasty.

General characteristics

Cabbage is a plant from the cruciferous family. It is very common in all countries where it is grown on large areas and eaten. Such popularity is due not only to its taste. The composition of cabbage is very rich, and it is good for he alth. It contains potassium, phosphorus, boron, magnesium, selenium, sulfur, as well as all trace elements necessary for he alth.

The most popular and widespread white cabbage. It keeps well and is unpretentious when grown. But other varieties of this vegetable are no less useful. Cabbage is rich in fiber, ascorbic acid, phytoncides, folicacid, fructose. In addition, there are many useful vitamins in cabbage. It is especially valued for its large amount of ascorbic acid. Moreover, this vitamin is contained in it in such a form that it does not collapse under the influence of heat treatment or gastric juice. In addition, kale contains biotin, rutin, tocophellol, niacin, choline and vitamin K.

Useful properties of cabbage for the human body

This vegetable is simply indispensable in nutrition. After all, a large amount of vitamins and minerals, the ability to eat it in any form, as well as the ability to retain nutritional properties until spring, make cabbage one of the most important vegetables. It is available all year round and has excellent taste. The benefits and harms of cabbage have long been studied, its healing qualities make it possible to use it as part of many folk recipes.

But even with the usual use of this vegetable in food, a beneficial effect on the body is manifested. Cabbage has the following properties:

• protects against cancer;
• improves metabolic processes and hematopoiesis;
• promotes the removal of excess fluid from the body;
• improves fat metabolism, lowers cholesterol levels;
• normalizes the acidity of gastric juice, eliminates fermentation in the intestine;;
• improves intestinal microflora, destroys pathogenic bacteria;
• strengthens immunity;
• improves appetite and digestion;
• treats constipation, cleanses the intestines;
• has a mild diuretic effect;
• longerkeeps you young.

When it is useful to use cabbage

Most people eat this vegetable regularly. But if you know how cabbage affects the human body, it becomes clear that in some cases it must be consumed without fail. Diet varieties are especially useful, as well as white cabbage juice. They are effective for constipation, liver problems, can be used to normalize weight and improve fat metabolism. Cabbage is useful for diabetes and obesity, anemia and anemia. This vegetable can be used to prevent colds, heart attack or stroke.

Especially useful cabbage in any form during pregnancy. It prevents constipation and swelling, thins the blood and provides the child with the necessary amount of folic acid. In addition, it strengthens the immune system.

Cabbage juice is used for therapeutic purposes in case of peptic ulcer or gastritis. It stimulates the flow of bile and helps the liver to more actively remove cholesterol and toxins from the body, and also improves bowel function. It should be drunk half a glass half an hour before meals. When gargling, it reduces dry cough. When applied externally, cabbage juice removes warts, cleanses the skin, brightens age spots, and heals boils. And compresses from fresh leaves with honey help relieve inflammation, swelling and pain in the joints, reduce dry cough.

When it can be harmful

But cabbage is not always useful. However, there are contraindications to its use. White cabbage can be especially harmful due to the large amount of fiber. It can cause diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, and abdominal pain. It is not recommended to use cabbage for any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute stage, for pancreatitis, enterocolitis, and also for violations of the thyroid gland.

It is especially harmful to use cabbage with hyperacid gastritis and increased flatulence. Due to the ability of this vegetable to cause flatulence, it is not recommended for women to eat it during breastfeeding, as the baby may begin flatulence. In addition, you can not eat raw cabbage every day. This can cause bloating, ulcers in the lining of the digestive tract.

Which cabbage is he althier

This vegetable is useful in all forms. But the most popular white cabbage, compared to other types, is the least useful, because it contains few trace elements. In terms of its composition and nutritional qualities, the properties of broccoli are most valued. Useful is also color and Savoy. And Peking and Brussels are excellent dietary products, easily digestible and nutritious.

Sauerkraut is considered especially useful. Due to the content of a large amount of vitamin C, it has general strengthening properties, improves metabolic processes, promotes weight loss. Sauerkraut plays the role of a kind of "nurse" of the intestines, since lactic and acetic acids in its composition haveantibacterial action.

White Cabbage

This cabbage variety is native to North Africa and the Mediterranean. This vegetable has been eaten for a long time. In our country, white cabbage has been known since the 8th century. After that, she firmly entered the diet and became the most popular vegetable. The benefits and harms of cabbage have long been studied. It is widely used in various dishes.

Cabbage is full of vitamins, minerals and water. It is rich in potassium, phosphorus, calcium. But it is especially valued for its high fiber content. In addition, it contains a unique and indispensable vitamin U, which stimulates the processes of regeneration of the mucosa of the digestive tract. And tartronic acid promotes weight loss.

What is useful white cabbage for the human body, has long been known. In folk medicine, there are many recipes using its juice or leaves. They are applied to the joints to relieve inflammation and pain. Juice treats many diseases of the digestive tract, skin pathologies. It has a beneficial effect on hair, preventing hair loss, and also helps maintain youthful skin.

Purple cabbage

This is one of the subspecies of white cabbage. Its composition is slightly different, since there is an anthocyanin substance, which gives it a peculiar color. Because of this, it is called red, blue or purple. In large quantities, this cabbage contains phytoncides, enzymes, calcium and phosphorus s alts, selenium, zinc and magnesium. The substance ascorbigen is also present in its composition.

Not everyone knows how purple cabbage is useful for the human body. But it is very popular because of its excellent taste, unusual color and ability to retain value until spring. And at the same time, this type of cabbage is very useful. It strengthens and tones the walls of blood vessels, destroys pathogenic bacteria, improves the function of the kidneys and thyroid gland, and reduces blood pressure. In addition, this vegetable has anticancer properties.

Beijing

This type of cabbage has been cultivated in China since the 5th century. It belongs rather to salad plants due to especially tender leaves and a small amount of fiber. Beijing cabbage can be consumed in any form, but it is most useful in salads. It contains many nutrients, especially ascorbic acid. Thanks to this, Beijing cabbage cleanses the body of viruses and microbes, increases resistance to various diseases. In addition, it slows down aging and has antioxidant properties. Compared to white cabbage, Beijing cabbage contains more protein, mineral s alts, amino acids and vitamins. And they are perfectly preserved until the end of winter.

Broccoli

This type of cabbage spread from the Mediterranean. But thanks to its unpretentiousness and excellent taste, broccoli has become popular all over the world. In addition, it is very useful and suitable for dietary nutrition. Vitamins in broccoli are contained even in larger quantities thanin other varieties. Especially a lot of folic acid, carotene, copper, chromium, iodine in it. Broccoli contains proteins that are close to animal proteins, so it is indispensable for vegetarians.

In addition, the beneficial properties of broccoli are explained by the presence of phytosterols, fatty acids, B vitamins, and fiber in its composition. Thanks to this, it helps in weight loss, prevents the development of cardiovascular diseases, reduces cholesterol levels and protects the nervous system. In addition, broccoli removes heavy metals from the body, protects against radiation and prevents the development of cancerous tumors.

Colored

This is also a fairly popular type of cabbage. Its homeland is Syria, but now cauliflower is distributed throughout the world. This is a dietary vegetable, but it does not have a lot of fiber. But it contains many vitamins, minerals, protein, essential amino acids. Therefore, cauliflower is indispensable for a he althy diet.

It is used in baby food, as well as for cooking various dishes. You can eat cauliflower both raw and cooked, and it retains its value in soups, mashed potatoes or casseroles. It dissolves quickly and is very easy to digest. But it is not recommended to consume cauliflower if you have kidney stones.

Brussels

This is a rather unusual variety of cabbage, distributed mainly in Holland and England. Brussels sprouts are long stems with many smallheads of cabbage. Now this cabbage has become quite popular, the beneficial properties of which are explained by the presence of a large amount of vitamin C and other microelements necessary for he alth. It contains a lot of protein and ascorbic acid. And the presence of folic acid makes it indispensable in the diet of pregnant women. It lowers cholesterol levels, helps maintain visual acuity and protects against colds. However, brussels sprouts can be bitter if cooked incorrectly, so it is recommended to add lemon juice or s alt to the cooking water.

Savoy

This type of cabbage was named after the place where it was bred - the county of Savoy. Its difference from the usual white head is that the upper leaves are darker, curly and tender. Savoy cabbage contains much more vitamins C, E, A and trace elements. But it has less fiber, so it is suitable for diet food. A large amount of protein helps to strengthen hair, lower cholesterol levels. Savoy cabbage strengthens teeth and nails, soothes, stimulates the formation of hemoglobin, slows down aging.

The head of her head is looser, and the leaves are thin and tender. Therefore, it is more suitable for making salads, but unsuitable for pickling. Its juice is used as a remedy for lowering blood sugar, lowering blood pressure and for colds.

How to cook

Cabbage can be eaten raw, as well as in many dishes. It is boiled, stewed, fried, baked. Stew is especially popular.cabbage. This is a tasty and nutritious dish that contains very few calories. It is used as a side dish for meat dishes or as a filling for pies.

Very he althy sauerkraut, which holds the record for the content of vitamin C. But this vegetable is especially valuable in its raw form. There are various recipes from fresh cabbage that allow you to fully use its beneficial properties. It is recommended to use Beijing, Savoy, Brussels sprouts and broccoli for them. White cabbage leaves are coarser. They contain a lot of fiber, so they can provoke flatulence. But any recipes from fresh cabbage can be used in dietary nutrition, as well as in winter to compensate for the lack of vitamins:

• The broccoli salad is delicious. It is necessary to boil the cabbage for a couple for 2 minutes, disassemble into inflorescences. Cut the celery stalks, boiled chicken breast and sweet pepper. Mix everything, fill with natural yogurt, you can add a little lemon juice. Garnish with cheese cubes.
• Chinese cabbage is great for salad. It can be mixed with apples, garlic. Add spices, vegetable oil and lemon juice. You will get an excellent diet dish.
• You can make a more satisfying salad. To do this, you need Beijing cabbage, boiled eggs, fresh cucumbers and green peas. The salad is dressed with sour cream.
• Excellent vitamin salads are made from Savoy cabbage. For example, in the fall you can mix it with tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots. Add greens and season with sour cream.
• You can also prepare salads from white cabbage. But first you need to mash it with your hands with s alt so that it becomes softer. An excellent winter salad is obtained with canned corn, pickles, garlic and crackers. You also need to add green onions and spices. The salad is dressed with mayonnaise.