Cabbage.....a Super food? The following article by Diana Herrington outlines some pretty amazing benefits that come from cabbage. Just a good reminder to enjoy this excellent cruciferous vegetable. Cabbage is powerful. Ancient healers declared it contained moon power because it grew in the moonlight. Modern nutritional science understands its power comes from its high sulfur and vitamin C content. Either way – it’s worth adding this Power food to your weekly diet. 9 Healthy Benefits of Cabbage: 1. Ideal for weight loss! [It is low in fat and high in fiber. There are only 33 calories in a cup of cooked cabbage.] It is definitely a smart carb. 2. It is a brain food! It is full of vitamin K and anthocyanins that help with mental function and concentration. These nutrients also prevent nerve damage, improving your defense against Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. Red cabbage has the highest amount of these power nutrients. 3. High in sulfur, the beautifying mineral. Cabbage helps dry up oily and acne skin. Internally sulfur is essential for keratin, a protein substance necessary for healthy hair, nails, and skin. Check out this Homemade Cabbage Face Mask 4. Helps detoxify the body. The high content of vitamin C and sulphur in cabbage removes toxins (free radicals and uric acid). These are the main causes of arthritis, skin diseases, rheumatism and gout. 5. Has well-known cancer preventative compounds lupeol, sinigrin and sulforaphane. They stimulate enzyme activity and inhibit the growth of cancer tumors. A Study on women showed a reduction in breast cancer when cruciferous vegetables like cabbage were added to their diet. 6. Helps keep blood pressure from getting high. The high potassium content helps by opening up blood vessels, easing the flow of blood. 7. Cabbage for headaches A warm compress made with cabbage leaves can help relieve the pain of a headache. Crush cabbage leaves, place in a cloth, and apply on the forehead. Also, drink raw cabbage juice 1-2 oz. (25-50ml) daily for chronic headaches. 8. Hangovers from heavy drinking were reduced by using cabbage, since Roman times. 9. Anti-inflammatory and Blood Sugar Regulator. The natural red pigments of red cabbage (betalains) is said to lower blood sugar levels and boost insulin production. Of course it has no white sugars and very few simple sugars. Betalains have powerful anti-inflammatory properties just like beets. Cabbage History • Cabbage is one of the oldest known vegetables. • Cabbage dates back to 4,000 B.C. in Shensi province in China. • Around 600 B.C. the Celts brought cabbage to Europe from Asia. • In 1536 French navigator Jacques Cartier brought cabbage to the Americas. • In Captain Cook’s famous first voyage, (17th century) many of the crew members were saved from gangrene when the ship’s doctor made poultices of cabbage to apply to their wounds. Cabbage Caution Those with thyroid problems should avoid eating large amounts of cabbage. It interfere with the body’s absorption of iodine, needed by the thyroid gland. This applies to all cruciferous vegetables.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 23:45:28 +0000
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