Although cabbage looks a bit like lettuce, it actually belongs to the same family as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, called Brassicaceae, which has many health benefits.

This vegetable has been cultivated worldwide for many years and can be found in a wide variety of dishes and different cuisines, such as sauerkraut from Central Europe, kimchi from Korea, and the popular coleslaw in the United States of America.

Cabbage is full of vitamins and minerals, offering surprising health benefits that have been studied in various scientific analyses.

Cabbage is the perfect vegetable because it is very low in calories while being packed with nutrients. In fact, 1 cup of raw green cabbage contains 22 calories, 1 gram of protein, and 2 grams of fiber; additionally, it provides a good percentage of the daily recommended intake of vitamin K (85%), vitamin C (54%), folate (10%), manganese (7%), vitamin B6 (6%), among others.

Moreover, nutrients such as vitamin B6 and folic acid are essential for many important processes in the body, including energy metabolism and the normal functioning of the nervous system, while the antioxidants it contains protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. 

What is the purpose of protecting against free radicals? Simply put, it is to prevent damage to the cells, as free radicals are molecules with an odd number of electrons, making them unstable, and when their levels become too high, they can damage cells.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that performs many important functions in the body. For example, it is needed to produce collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, which provides structure and flexibility to the skin, as well as being essential for the proper functioning of bones, muscles, and blood vessels.

Additionally, it is a powerful antioxidant. In fact, it has been extensively researched for its potential cancer-fighting qualities, as vitamin C acts to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

As an important fact, while both green and purple cabbage are excellent sources of this powerful antioxidant, purple cabbage contains approximately 30% more vitamin C.

This crunchy vegetable is full of insoluble fiber that does not harm the intestine, meaning a type of carbohydrate that cannot be broken down in the intestines. This insoluble fiber helps keep the digestive system healthy by adding bulk to stools and promoting regular bowel movements.

But it is also rich in soluble fiber, which has been shown to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This is because fiber is the main fuel source for friendly species like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, bacteria that perform important functions such as protecting the immune system and producing critical nutrients like vitamins K2 and B12.

Cabbage contains powerful pigments called anthocyanins, which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, while its potassium content (2 cups of cabbage contain 12% of the daily value) helps keep blood pressure within a healthy range.

Cabbage can be eaten raw or cooked and can be added to salads, soups, or stews. For example, you can make rolls with it and fill them with tuna or chicken. Below, we leave you some of our most delicious cabbage recipes so you can take advantage of all its benefits.

Cabbage rolls stuffed with chicken
Cabbage salad with carrot
Cabbage soup for the diet
Cabbage stuffed with rice