White cabbage: benefits and harms, medicinal properties

The benefits and harms of white cabbage are an important issue, since the vegetable is widespread and often present on the table. It has many valuable properties, but it should be used in moderation.

The chemical composition of white cabbage

White cabbage is not only widely distributed and affordable, it also has great benefits for the body. The composition of the vegetable contains all the most necessary elements. Namely:

• vitamin C – more than 60% of the daily requirement;
• vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B9;
• choline, beta-carotene and vitamin A;
• nicotinic acid PP;
• vitamin K – about 63%, the vegetable is a valuable source of this substance;
• potassium and manganese;
• a large amount of silicon and cobalt – 177% and 30% of the daily norm, respectively;
• cellulose;
• molybdenum, copper and chromium;
• amino acids;
• zinc, calcium and phosphorus;
• fatty acids and sterols;
• a small amount of selenium, fluorine, iron, iodine and sodium.

Carbohydrates in white cabbage occupy 4,7 g, and about 1,8 g is accounted for by proteins. There are few fats in the product – only 0,2 g. The vegetable has a very low nutritional value – 28 kcal per serving per 100 g.

White cabbage is one of the leaders in silicon content

What is useful white cabbage

With proper use, the vegetable has a very beneficial effect on the human body. Specifically, cabbage

• supports bowel function and helps normalize stools;
• speeds up digestion and promotes good absorption of nutrients;
• strengthens blood vessels and prevents the occurrence of heart disease;
• is a natural antioxidant and prevents the spread of free radicals in the body;
• beneficial effect on the skin and the condition of the hair;
• contributes to the good functioning of the reproductive system;
• benefits in dietary nutrition;
• protects against the development of beriberi and prevents anemia;
• maintains good health in diabetes mellitus, since it does not lead to an increase in glucose;
• helps fight colds, as it increases immune resistance.

Vegetables are useful to eat to improve performance and increase vigor. Cabbage leaves energize the body and have a good effect on the nervous system.

What is useful white cabbage for women

The benefits of raw white cabbage for women are most pronounced in weight loss diets. The vegetable has a low nutritional value and helps to lose weight very effectively and remove accumulated toxins from the intestines.

But the benefits of vegetables do not end there. The product improves the digestibility of carbohydrates and prevents the accumulation of body fat, ensures the good functioning of reproductive functions. White cabbage helps to maintain youth longer, as it improves skin condition and smoothes wrinkles.

Fresh cabbage promotes weight loss

A very useful product for pregnant women – the vitamins in its composition strengthen the immune system and contribute to the healthy formation of the fetus. When breastfeeding, the vegetable increases lactation, although it is advised to introduce it into the diet only 3 months after childbirth.

What is useful white cabbage for men

For the male body, white cabbage is useful for its beneficial effect on the vascular system. The vegetable helps to strengthen the vascular walls, prevents the accumulation of cholesterol and improves blood circulation. This reduces the risk of developing heart disease.

In addition, when eating a vegetable, sexual functions improve. Fresh cabbage or its brine are the most effective folk remedies for a hangover.

What is useful white cabbage for children

Vitamins in fresh white cabbage are very useful for the child’s body. The product strengthens the heart, nervous and digestive systems of the baby, prevents the development of constipation.

At the same time, it is allowed to give white cabbage to babies for the first time only after 1,5 years. For the first time, it should be introduced into the diet in boiled form and in very small portions. At an earlier age, the vegetable will not be digested well and will cause colic and flatulence in the baby.

Children are offered the product only after boiling

The harm of white cabbage

For all its benefits, a vegetable can be harmful if consumed incorrectly or in excess:

1. White cabbage is a product that increases gas formation in the intestines. If you consume more than 200 g of a fresh vegetable per day, it can damage digestion and lead to unpleasant symptoms of flatulence.
2. White cabbage can be harmful if consumed before bed. You can eat some fresh cabbage no later than 4 hours before bedtime, otherwise active digestive processes will not allow you to sleep peacefully.

Contraindications to white cabbage

In some conditions of the body, it is better to exclude white cabbage from the diet. The use of the product is not recommended:

• with pancreatitis and enterocolitis;
• with exacerbation of gastritis or peptic ulcer;
• with a tendency to diarrhea and flatulence;
• with kidney ailments.

It is better not to eat the product and in periods after abdominal operations, increased peristalsis can interfere with healing.

With caution, you need to use the product for intestinal ailments

Rules for eating white cabbage

White cabbage can be consumed in any form, it is eaten fresh and boiled, fried and stewed, sauerkraut. In this case, it is recommended to adhere to several rules:

1. Dishes with white cabbage are seasoned with vegetable oil – it improves the absorption of vitamins. But butter of animal origin and margarine should not be used.
2. Heat treatment of white cabbage should be as short as possible, no longer than 15 minutes. If the vegetable is exposed to temperature for too long, then most of the vitamins will be destroyed.
3. The benefits and harms of white cabbage salad and other dishes depend on the time of day. It is best to use the product in the morning or afternoon, when the active work of peristalsis will benefit the body.

It is better to throw away the bitter stalk, it contains harmful substances. Only young stalks from the smallest heads are considered safe.

It is recommended to remove the stalk before using the product.

The use of white cabbage

A useful product is used in several areas at once. White cabbage brings benefits not only in cooking, but also in home treatment, as well as in personal care.

In folk medicine

Due to the vitamin composition, white cabbage has numerous medicinal properties. It is used for colds, inflammation and pain syndrome.

Cabbage broth for colds

White cabbage contains a huge amount of vitamin C and therefore helps well with SARS and flu. Usually, the following decoction is prepared for treatment:

• 200 g of cabbage leaves pour 500 ml of water;
• boil for 15 minutes;
• cool and filter through gauze;
• add 50 g of liquid honey.

You need to drink the remedy three times a day for 1 glass, usually cold symptoms

Cabbage decoction relieves fever and helps in the treatment of colds

Infusion with vitamin deficiency

With a deficiency of vitamins, the vegetable brings a very beneficial effect. From cabbage, you can prepare the following infusion:

• finely chop 60 g cabbage pulp;
• pour 250 ml of boiling water and cover the container with a lid;
• insist 3 hours, and then filter through cheesecloth.

Drink the infusion three times a day in a warm form, 1 glass each, in total, you need to use the remedy for 2 weeks.

Vitamin cabbage infusion compensates for the deficiency of nutrients

In migraines

Useful substances in the composition of cabbage leaves have a beneficial effect even when used externally. For headaches, it is recommended to apply a fresh cabbage leaf to the place where discomfort is concentrated. First, the sheet should be slightly stretched. Keep the compress for half an hour.

Mashed Cabbage Leaves Relieve Migraines

With mastopathy

Cabbage leaf is good for recurrent chest pain in women. It is very simple to make a compress – you need to crush the sheet so that it releases a little juice, and apply it to the mammary glands for half an hour. From above, the compress is fixed with a bandage, if desired, kefir can be additionally applied to the cabbage leaf.

Cabbage leaf is good for mastopathy

With a sore throat

Fresh cabbage leaves have a good effect on sore throat and cough. The vegetable is used in two ways:

• apply a compress from a mashed leaf to the throat for a couple of hours, fixing the cabbage with a scarf;
• gargle with cabbage juice.

The benefits of white cabbage juice and fresh leaves help to cope with inflammation and quickly relieve pain.

You can treat sore throats with cabbage compresses and rinses.

For pain in the joints

With the help of a cabbage compress, you can relieve the exacerbation of arthritis or arthrosis. The vegetable is used in the classic way – a fresh cabbage leaf is kneaded a little, and then applied to the sore joint. It is better to keep such a compress throughout the day, and every hour the sheet must be changed to a new one.

A compress from the leaves of a vegetable helps with joint pain

In cooking

In the kitchen, white cabbage is used very widely:

1. Salads are made from vegetables – chopped and sprinkled with salt, and then left for half an hour. Cabbage in salads can be combined with carrots and apples, beets, herbs, nuts.
   
   

   Fresh cabbage is often used in salads.

2. A boiled vegetable often acts as an element of soups, vegetable stews and side dishes for second courses. On the basis of a boiled cabbage leaf, the famous cabbage rolls with minced meat are prepared.
   
   

   Cabbage rolls – a traditional vegetable dish

3. Stewed or fried cabbage is put in pies, pies or rolls, often the vegetable is combined with an egg. Baking is not only tasty, but also very healthy.
   
   

   Cabbage pies with eggs are tasty and nutritious

A healthy vegetable juice can be prepared from a chopped vegetable. Sometimes it is consumed in its pure form, and sometimes mixed with carrot, beetroot and other vegetable juices. White cabbage is often fermented for long-term storage.

In dietetics

White cabbage is one of the most valuable foods in the diet. Since the calorie content of the vegetable is very small, it is impossible to get better on it. But the product removes toxins from the body very well and thus contributes to weight loss.

The properties of white cabbage for weight loss are well manifested in combination with other foods. However, in the absence of chronic diseases of the stomach, fasting days can be arranged on cabbage leaves. During the day, in this case, they eat exclusively vegetable salad, it can be sprinkled with lemon juice.

In cosmetology

Vitamins and minerals in the composition of the product help to refresh and rejuvenate the skin, get rid of acne and excessive oiliness of the epidermis. Home cosmetology offers several vegetable-based masks.

Mask for dry skin

The following method helps to moisturize the skin and whiten freckles and age spots:

• clean face skin is wiped with olive oil;
• for 5 minutes, apply a napkin soaked in chamomile infusion;
• crush 200 g of fresh cabbage leaves;
• for 15 minutes, distribute the gruel over the face.

Shredded cabbage can be used for skin care

It is recommended to make a mask three times a week, then the procedure will quickly bring the effect.

Nourishing mask for all skin types

This mask helps restore skin elasticity and slightly tighten the oval of the face:

• 200 g of white cabbage are crushed in a blender;
• mix vegetable gruel with egg yolk;
• add 10 drops of olive oil to the mixture.

The mixture should be gently spread over the face and left for 15 minutes.

Cabbage gruel with oil and yolk nourishes the epidermis well

Mask from acne

For skin irritations and acne, this mask gives a good effect:

• fresh vegetable is crushed into gruel and squeezed out 50 ml of juice;
• moisten a napkin in juice and apply to the face for 20 minutes, moisturizing as it dries;
• at the end of the procedure, the face is washed with clean water.

Before applying the mask, the skin can be further treated with sour cream or cream.

Mask with cabbage juice relieves acne

Useful Tips

When choosing cabbage in the store, you need to buy only strong, hard heads of cabbage with white leaves without spots and black dots. It is best to choose medium-sized vegetables.

Cabbage leaves at the base should not be too thick. The increased density of the leaves indicates that nitrates were used in the cultivation process.

You can store a vegetable for quite a long time, up to several months at a temperature of about 0 ° C. To keep the head fresh longer, it is recommended to wrap it tightly with cling film in several layers and place it on the top shelf of the refrigerator.

For long-term storage, the vegetable can be cut and frozen, while all useful substances will remain in full composition. But it is best to use defrosted cabbage in boiled form in soups and side dishes, since raw cabbage leaves lose their crunch and taste after storage in the freezer.

On the cut, a fresh vegetable should be white, without dark spots.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of white cabbage depend on the dosages of use and the presence of contraindications. The vegetable should not be eaten in too large quantities, as this harms the intestines. But in small portions, white cabbage has a very positive effect on health.