Cabbage is a vegetable that is packed with a lot of nutrients. They are common vegetables that are added to meals such as rice, coleslaw, and sauces. The most common type of cabbage found in Nigeria are white and green cabbage but there are also red and purple variants. Irrespective of the color, cabbage is packed with a lot of nutrients. It contains fiber, manganese, vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and folate. According to Healthline, eating cabbage has an impact on your health as it has several health benefits. Some health benefits of eating cabbage include;
1. Anti-inflammatory
Cabbage is packed with antioxidants that help to reduce inflammation. Cabbage belongs to a group of vegetables called cruciferous vegetables. According to research, cruciferous vegetables help to reduce blood markers of inflammation. You might wonder, why inflammation is bad. Inflammation isn’t inherently bad. It is the body’s mechanism to help speed up healing and protect against infections. However, when inflammation becomes too much is called chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is the root cause of man critical diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease.
2. Lowers blood pressure
High blood pressure is a risk factor that increases the likelihood of heart disease. Cabbage contains potassium which helps to reduce high blood pressure. how does it work? Potassium is an electrolyte that helps to counteract the actions of sodium in the body. excess amounts of sodium in the body result in high blood pressure. phosphorus helps to eliminate excess sodium by removing it through urine.
3. Source of essential vitamins
Cabbage is packed with vitamins that are essential for the immune system and other important body functions. Cabbage is rich in vitamin K which is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting. It acts as a cofactor for the enzymes responsible for blood clotting. Deficiency in vitamin K results in excessive blood loss and the inability of blood to clot properly.
Cabbage is also packed with vitamin C which is a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C helps to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for chronic diseases such as cancer. vitamin C is also required to make collagen which is a vital protein needed for the proper functioning of blood vessels, bones, and muscles.
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