Available in several bright and attractive colors such as purple, red, green, and white, cabbages are extremely healthy leafy vegetables. Cabbage has its origin in the Middle Ages and is a profoundly important part of European cuisine. It can be classified as a ‘Brassica’ and is closely related to several other green leafy vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts, etc.
Cabbages are cultivated in leafy soils that are rich in nitrogen and certain minerals such as potassium and phosphorus and usually take 70-120 days to mature. The health benefits of cabbage are extremely diverse and it’s no surprise that it’s considered a staple in several countries, including ours.
Benefits of Cabbage for our Skin and Hair
Below are the benefits of cabbage:
1. Clear Skin
Cabbage contains vitamins A and C. It is known to be an excellent skin cleanser. It reduces acne, acne scars, rashes, itchiness, etc, and makes our skin soft and supple with regular consumption.
Benefits Of Cabbage2. Anti-Aging Properties
Cabbages are always mentioned when it comes to vegetables that are associated with anti-aging and make our skin look healthy and thus, younger. It is used to diminish all sorts of skin issues such as ulcers, patchiness, wrinkles, and other evils. It heals wounds and insect bites as well.
3. Silkier, Longer Hair
Cabbage benefits include hair growth, owing to the presence of vitamin A in it. It can be directly applied to the scalp for the best results. It is a versatile ingredient and can be mixed with other ingredients as well such as honey, lemon juice, etc. It doesn’t just promote hair growth but also makes it stronger and smoother. It gives a beautiful shine to the hair.
4. Curing Split Ends
Cabbage juice is a well-known remedy for treating dry and frizzy hair that has split ends. Applying it on the scalp, the length and tips of the hair provide the hair with all the hydration it needs, thereby reducing split ends.
Health Benefits of Cabbage
Here are the other benefits of cabbage:
1. Weight Loss
One of the most popular benefits of cabbage is it helps in losing weight, owing to its nutritional value. It is rich in several vitamins and minerals and according to experts, it should be a vital part of any kind of fitness diet.
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Benefits Of Cabbage2. Reduces Chances of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease wasn’t that common in our country even a decade ago but it is becoming quite common in India as well. Cabbage contains anthocyanins, which are antioxidants, iodine, and vitamin K as well, which are exceedingly beneficial for the well-being of our brain and combating Alzheimer’s disease by lowering the emergence of bad tau proteins which are found in the brains of people having the disease.
Cabbage benefits with regards to maintaining the good health of our brain are immense.
3. Stronger Bones
The presence of vitamins like vitamin K and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus in cabbages contribute to maintaining bone and muscle strength. This is the reason why people who do high-intensity workouts regularly, should have cabbage in their diets.
4. Blood Clotting Property
Cabbage, like most other leafy vegetables, is recognized for having a high concentration of vitamin K, the deficiency of which can cause an increase in the clotting time and, thereby resulting in rapid blood loss. This can cause internal bleeding as well. Therefore, the consumption of cabbage is important for us to regulate vitamin K levels in our body.
5. Controlling Blood Pressure
Anthocyanins help regulate blood pressure levels and lower the chances of a heart attack. Red and purple cabbages have a higher concentration of antioxidants than regular ones.
6. Lessens Constipation
It is advised by doctors to consume cabbage during times of constipation since the prevention of the same comes under benefits of cabbage. It contains insoluble fibers and carbohydrates that ensure the clearing of the stomach.
Benefits Of Cabbage7. Prevents Eye Diseases
All of us are aware of the importance of vitamin A and beta-carotene as far as maintaining clear eyesight is concerned. Consumption of cabbage curtails the chances of suffering from cataracts and other eye diseases that make the vision blurry.
8. Anti-Cancer
The benefits of cabbage also stem from the presence of certain substances such as sulforaphane, diindolylmethane, indole 3- carbinol, or I3-C in it. These compounds are identified to prevent the advent of cancerous formations in our bodies.
9. Anti-Inflammatory
Antioxidants, amino acids, and sulforaphane contained in cabbage make it anti-inflammatory, thereby reducing chronic arthritis, heart diseases, and other issues.
10. Controls Cholesterol
More than 40% of soluble fibers are contained in a cabbage. This is one of the factors that helps in reducing cholesterol along with the presence of phytosterols. They restrict the formulation of cholesterol in our bodies.
Ways in Which the Benefits of Cabbage can be Acquired
Here are the ways of acquiring the benefits of cabbage:
Consuming Raw: Cabbages can be used in salads, sandwiches, burgers, etc, and consumed raw, much like lettuces. Consuming raw cabbage can result in the overall well-being of our skin and body.
Cooking and Consuming: Cabbage can be cooked by adding a wide variety of spices to it. The amount and intensity of the spices depending on the person or people who’re going to consume the dish. It is also added in vegetable curries, stews, and soups served by hospitals and nursing homes to the patients, to speed up their healing process.
Drinking: Cabbage can be eaten in the form of juices and smoothies as well. These act as post-workout refreshments as well.
Direct Application: A part of the vegetable can be cut and made into a paste or a mixture, along with other ingredients, and applied on the skin, as well as on hair, directly, primarily on the affected areas that need healing.
A vegetable that is as useful as a cabbage should have a place in the top five healthy, most commonly used vegetables for everybody. Several people are aware of the benefits of cabbage but it is often neglected by many, due to the existence and prevalence of other vegetables from the same family. However, we must make it a point to have more of this magical vegetable, because of its benefits and delicious taste.
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