Cabbage belongs to the same group as broccoli, cauliflower and kale. Those kinds of vegetables belong to the brassica genus. Chinese cabbage is packed with a lot of nutrients while being low in calories.
There are some studies which show that eating cabbage is effective to reduce inflammation and protect the immune system. Furthermore, it also helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Chinese cabbage is also known as Napa cabbage. It was originally cultivated in Asian countries. Do you know that with only 20 calories per cup and no cholesterol, Chinese cabbage boasts a long list of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B9, vitamin C, vitamin K, copper, iron, calcium, manganese and many more.
Let’s see the impressive health benefits of Chinese cabbage. This vegetable is worth trying to be included in your daily menu. Let’s check them out!
- Help Regulate Blood Pressure
Being rich in potassium and calcium, Chinese cabbage is perfect for regulating blood pressure. These two nutrients play an important role in reducing hypertension.
Chinese cabbage is also low in sodium so that it does not stimulate high blood pressure. Studies have shown that low amount of sodium in diet can also lower down the levels of blood pressure by up to 8 mm Hg.
- Improve Digestion
Chinese cabbage is one of the vegetables that is rich in fiber. As we know, fiber is good for digestive health. This crunchy vegetable is full of insoluble fiber, a type of carbohydrate that cannot be broken down in the intestine. Insoluble fiber is good for your digestive system as it adds bulk to stools and promotes regular bowel movement.
- Lower Cholesterol Level
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance which is found in every single cell in your body. Some people think that all types of cholesterol are bad, however, there are some types of it which is essential for body’s proper functioning.
Some critical processes in our body depend on cholesterol, such as proper digestion and the synthesis process of hormones and vitamin D.
Cabbage contains soluble fiber and plant sterols which have been shown to decrease the unhealthy level of LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol). Soluble fiber lowers down the bad cholesterol level by binding with cholesterol in the gut and keeping it from being absorbed by the blood.
Plant sterols, also called phytosterols, are plant compounds that are structurally similar to cholesterol and they reduce LDL cholesterol by blocking the absorption process of cholesterol in the digestive tract.
If you have high cholesterol level, you can consider consuming beet. Try considering one and get these health benefits of beet for cholesterol.
- Promote Hair Growth
Chinese cabbage is rich in vitamins, such as vitamin C and E. These vitamins have been shown to promote and maintain the growth of healthy hair. Not only those vitamins, Chinese cabbage also contains high quantities of iron that is in charge of increasing the levels of ferritin which is beneficial for fighting frequent hair loss.
There are some other ways of promoting hair growth, just like being mentioned in health benefits of tomato soup for hair growth.
- Fight off Skin Infections and Disorders
Chinese cabbage can help fight a host of skin infections, including eczema, acne and pimples due to its crucial antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
Furthermore, there are some skin disorders which can be overcome by this cabbage, such as blemishes, wrinkles, skin discolorations and skin allergies. Try some Chinese cabbage if you wish to make a soft and supple skin.
Healthy and young skin can be maintained by doing some treatment, such as consuming collagen. Read more about it in health benefits of collagen for the skin.
- Promote Eye Health
Chinese cabbage is also able to promote eye health. It is all due to beta carotene, one of the ingredients that has been shown to prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.
If you wish to maintain your eye health, consider reading these benefits of neem leaves for eyes.
- Weight Loss
Being low in calories but packed with huge amount of fiber, Chinese cabbage is perfect to be included in your diet menu. Chinese cabbage is a dietary supplement which can be taken with almost any meal without causing any increment of calories.
You can enjoy Chinese cabbage by creating a green juice which is enriched with some other fruits, such as strawberry, blueberries, and banana.
If you’re on a weight loss program, then you can also read health benefits of chia seeds for weight loss.
- Build Strong Bones
Building strong bones cannot only be done by drinking milk; you can do it by consuming Chinese cabbage. Vitamin K and calcium in Chinese cabbage play an important role in keeping the teeth and bones strong.
Calcium in Chinese cabbage is also able to enhance nerve function, while vitamin K promotes the process fat breakdown and blood clotting.