Cabbage is a loyal friend. It warms us during the chill of winter when other crops have fallen away, appearing in steaming soups or savory baked dishes. It refreshes us in summer, its fine slices piling high to make bowls of coleslaw. And no hot dog could hold its head up and call itself a true hot dog if cabbage were not made into sauerkraut.
The cabbage family is a large extended family. There are dozens of varieties of cabbage, but it also belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables, brassica oleracea, which includes, kale, broccoli, collards, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kohlrabi. Within the cabbage group are the tightly headed red and green cabbages, the longer, looser Savoy and Napa cabbages Bok choy is one of the most nutritious of the family.
Cabbage is a rich source of vitamin C, of fiber, of iron, calcium, potassium. The odor that it emits comes from the sulphur content of cabbage which helps the body to resist bacteria and protects the protoplasm of the cells. It is said to aid in producing glossy hair.
Many studies are being conducted on the anthocyanins in cabbage. As none are conclusive, we want only to mention in passing that these studies all have to do with eh protective nature of cabbage. Sulforaphane may increase the production of antioxidants and enzymes in the body that detoxify. This may help eliminate carcinogenic compounds. While we hope these nutritional studies continue, we will continue to eat cabbage for its proven nutritional benefit, not for the hope that it will cure us of any current or future ills.
The following nutrition information is for one serving of cabbage. That would be about one cup shredded cabbage, or 70 grams. This general information is for any variety of raw cabbage.
Cabbage contains glucosinolates, which may help to prevent cancer.
| Macronutrients: Water: 64.51 mg Calories: 17 Protein: 1.01 g Carbohydrates: 3.91 g Fiber: 1.6 g Sugars: 2.51 g Total Fat: 0.08 g Saturated Fat: 0.011 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.006 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.042 g Cholesterol: 0 mg |
Micronutrients: Calcium: 33 mg Iron: 0.41 mg Magnesium: 11 mg Phosphorus: 16 mg Potassium: 172 mg Sodium: 13 mg Zinc: 0.13 mg Vitamin C: 22.5 mg Thiamin: 0.035 mg Riboflavin: 0.028 mg Niacin: 0.210 mg Pantothenic Acid: 0.098 mg Vitamin B6: 0.067 mg Vitamin B12: 0 mcg Folate: 30 mcg Vitamin A: 120 IU Vitamin E: 0.11 mg Vitamin K: 42.0 mcg |
Cabbage is:
- Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol
- High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, Potassium, Manganese, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Iron and Magnesium
The nutritional value and health benefits of cabbage makes it ideal for:
- Maintaining optimum health
- Weight loss
Don’t include too much cabbage in your diet if you’re interested in:
- Weight gain
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