DavidWolfe.comRed cabbage, often called purple cabbage, can be eaten raw, steamed, braised or sauteed. Red cabbage is a cruciferious vegetable that offers many health benefits, including the ability to aid in digestion. It contains fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, potassium, folate, calcium and magnesium, among other nutrients. Red cabbage benefits include the ability fight inflammation, improve bone health, combat chronic disease and give the immune system a natural boost.
Red Cabbage Benefits
1. Boosts the Immune System
Red cabbage benefits include an immune system boost. The vegetable contains a healthy dose of Vitamin C, which acts as a powerful antioxidant. It stimulates the activity of the white blood cells and helps protect the body from disease. Thanks to its antioxidant content, red cabbage benefits include the ability to strengthen the immune system and protect the body from free radical damage. (1)
2. Fights Inflammation and Arthritis
Red cabbage benefits include the ability to combat inflammation. According to a study published in Research in Pharmaceutical Science, the phytonutrients in red cabbage help reduce swelling and pain in the joints. Thanks to its ability to fight inflammation, red cabbage can help naturally prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
3. Aids in Bone Health
Red cabbage benefits bone health by providing the body with a healthy dose of Vitamin K. Vitamin K helps to increase calcium absorption and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Studies have shown that high intakes of Vitamin K can even help stop bone loss in patients who already suffer from osteoporosis. (2)
4. Combats Chronic Disease
Red cabbage benefits include the ability to combat chronic disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It contains powerful antioxidants that work to prevent and reverse DNA damage that can lead to degenerative disorders. Studies have shown that red cabbage benefits the body by fighting off disease, including cancer. Adding plenty of cancer-fighting foods to your diet can help prevent DNA damage and reduce your risk of cancer. (3)
5. Promotes Gut Health
Red cabbage benefits include the ability to promote a healthy gut. Kimchi, a popular probiotic food, can be made from either green cabbage or red cabbage. Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented food that contains probiotic bacteria, which benefits the gut in many ways. In the form of kimchi, red cabbage benefits include the ability to improve digestive health by providing relief from constipation and other digestive problems. Probiotics help fill the gut with beneficial bacteria, which provides many health benefits throughout the body. Research has shown that kimchi has anticancer properties, anti-obesity benefits and anti-aging properties. The probiotics in kimchi can also help strengthen the immune system, reduce cholesterol levels, support brain health, improve skin health and provide the body with plenty of disease-fighting antioxidants to improve overall health.