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What are Some Health Benefits of Cabbage?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable related to kale, collard greens, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Wonderfully crunchy, it can be used in numerous recipes like coleslaw, or it can be stuffed and baked or added to soups and stews. Incentives to eat cabbage are certainly significant, not just because it tastes good, but because it offers many health benefits.

A cup of cabbage (approximately 150 grams) has only 33 calories. Yet it is packed with vitamins and provides an excellent source of dietary fiber. Some of the health benefits of cabbage are its high levels of vitamins C and K. It’s also a good source of many of the B vitamins, folate, vitamin A, and omega 3 fatty acids. Vitamin C alone makes cabbage rich in antioxidants that may help protect cells and deliver anti-aging benefits.

Cabbage may be a helpful food when dealing with peptic ulcers.
Cabbage may be a helpful food when dealing with peptic ulcers.

There are other documented benefits of cabbage. For instance, cabbage may be a helpful food when dealing with peptic ulcers. Red cabbage in particular has been shown in a few studies to have the potential to reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease. A certain type of protein called amyloid beta may damage brain cells, and some cells in red cabbage, called anthocyanins, may act to prevent this damage.

Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are full of vitamins and may help prevent cancer.
Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are full of vitamins and may help prevent cancer.

Several studies have assessed the benefits of cabbage as a cancer preventative, and some of these are very encouraging. Many of these studies look not only at eating cabbage but other cruciferous veggies too. In research done in the Netherlands, people who ate cruciferous vegetables reduced risk of colo-rectal cancers nearly in half. Another study in Texas evaluated how these veggies could reduce bladder risk by nearly 30%.

Cabbage may interfere with the thyroid gland's ability to produce thyroid hormone.
Cabbage may interfere with the thyroid gland's ability to produce thyroid hormone.

There are quite a few published articles that suggest lung cancer risk may be lower for people who eat cabbage or cruciferous vegetables of other types. Even smokers may be able to reduce risk of lung cancer, though eating cabbage should not be seen as a way to avoid cancer for smokers. Benefits of cabbage for nonsmokers who are exposed to second hand smoke are high too, and might be significant in lowering risk for lung cancer due to exposure to smoke.

Some people should not consume cabbage.
Some people should not consume cabbage.

Another of the interesting benefits of cabbage is its potential to help reduce breast cancer incidence. Research into this suggests that adolescent girls who eat 3-5 to servings of cabbage per week may be less likely to develop breast cancer as adults. Adult women shouldn’t give up on eating the vegetable either, as regular consumption of cabbage may help provide continued protection against breast cancer.

Cabbage is related to other cruciferous vegetables, such as kale.
Cabbage is related to other cruciferous vegetables, such as kale.

Though there are many benefits of cabbage, there are a few people who should avoid it. Its high levels of vitamin K mean that those who take anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin®) should not consume cabbage. This may interfere with levels of this medication. Additionally, those with low thyroid hormone levels may want to skip cabbage because it can interfere with the thyroid gland’s ability to produce thyroid hormone.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

healthnwell

@extrordinary--Juicing with cabbage is wonderful! It is easy on the budget and is a staple in my juicing. It is best mixed with carrots or apples to blend the flavors.

You should be mindful to not drink more than four ounces at a time, as more can cause slight cramps. The cramping is caused by the sulphur in the cabbage mixing with the bacteria in the intestines. If this does happen, just lay off the cabbage for a few days and things should get back to normal. Enjoy!!

extrordinary

We love cabbage. We eat a lot of it, but I was wondering if anyone has juiced with it,can you tell me anything about how to use it in juicing?

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    • Cabbage may be a helpful food when dealing with peptic ulcers.
      By: rob3000
      Cabbage may be a helpful food when dealing with peptic ulcers.
    • Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are full of vitamins and may help prevent cancer.
      By: Serghei Velusceac
      Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are full of vitamins and may help prevent cancer.
    • Cabbage may interfere with the thyroid gland's ability to produce thyroid hormone.
      By: nerthuz
      Cabbage may interfere with the thyroid gland's ability to produce thyroid hormone.
    • Some people should not consume cabbage.
      By: monticellllo
      Some people should not consume cabbage.
    • Cabbage is related to other cruciferous vegetables, such as kale.
      By: maljalen
      Cabbage is related to other cruciferous vegetables, such as kale.