Is Cabbage A Vegetable?

Cabbages are one of the most popular greens in the world and one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat. They’re packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that help to fight cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.

But is it a vegetable? Well, yes, but only if you consider broccoli or cauliflower vegetables too! Cabbages belong to a vegetable group called the Brassica genus (kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, etc.).

The word “cabbage” comes from the Latin term for brassicas—a name given to this family of plant compounds and sterols because of their resemblance to brass instruments.

Humans have cultivated a wide variety of brassica species since prehistoric times. The earliest known domesticated brassica was probably Chinese cabbage around 5,000 years ago.

It was later introduced into Europe and Asia, becoming an important food crop. In North America, cabbage was first grown in Virginia during colonial times. Today, it remains one of the top five vegetables produced in the U.S., along with tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and lettuce.

The nutritional value of cabbage depends on how it’s prepared. Raw cabbages contain about

Why Is Cabbage A Vegetable?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines food as a vegetable if it meets two criteria: It must contain at least 50 percent water content by weight and must have been processed into a form suitable for human consumption.

If a food doesn’t meet these requirements, it’s considered a fruit or a grain. For example, apples don’t count as fruits because they’re not typically eaten raw. Instead, they’re usually cooked or baked. Grains like wheat and rice aren’t cruciferous vegetables, even though they’re often served as side dishes.

Therefore, cabbage is a vegetable because it contains more than 50% water by weight, and its leaves are used for cooking or eating.

Benefits Of Eating Cabbage

Although some might think cabbage has fewer vitamin K, minerals, and nutritional value, it provides many benefits when consumed regularly. Here are just a few reasons why you should add cabbage to your diet:

Digestion Enhancement

One of the best health benefits cabbage offer is it helps promote digestion. This is because it contains enzymes that break down carbohydrates and proteins. These essential nutrients help keep your digestive tract healthy and functioning properly.

Antioxidant Protection

Cabbage contains antioxidant compounds that protect against free radicals and prevent cell damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cellular damage and contribute to aging. Antioxidants neutralize them before they do any harm.

Preventing Inflammation

Another thing about cabbages is they’re rich in sulforaphane, a compound that reduces chronic inflammation. Sulforaphane is found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.

Lowering LDL Cholesterol Levels

Eating green cabbage can also lower cholesterol levels. One study showed that participants who ate three servings per week had a 30% reduction in total LDL cholesterol levels compared to those who didn’t eat any.

This is because cabbage contains indole-3-carbinol, which is converted into 3-glucosinolate after being digested. This compound lowers LDL cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (good cholesterol).

Keeps You Strong

While many still don’t know how to cook cannonball cabbage, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it. Try sautéing it with onions, garlic, and other spices or stir-frying it with chicken.

You can also make coleslaw from shredded green cabbage and carrots or use it as a topping for pizza.

Heart Protection

Cabbage is also good for the heart, and research shows that people who consume large amounts of this veggie have a reduced risk of heart disease and any other cardiovascular disease.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that women who ate one serving of cooked cabbage daily had a 20% decrease in their risk of heart disease. Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that men who ate four cups of cabbage each week were less likely to develop high blood pressure.

Reduces Blood Pressure

Another advantage to eating cabbages, aside from avoiding the risk of heart disease, is they can reduce blood pressure. A study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology found that consuming two or more servings of green leafy vegetables daily was associated with a 10 mmHg drop in systolic blood pressure.

The same study also found that people who ate at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily had a 5 mmHg drop in diastolic blood pressure.

It keeps Bones Healthy And Helps Blood Clot Properly.

Since potassium-rich foodslike cabbage, is rich in vitamin K and vitamin C, it keeps bones strong by helping them absorb calcium. Vitamin K and vitamin C also play a vital role in blood clotting. It works by preventing platelets from sticking together, thus reducing the chance of forming clots.

Cancer Prevention

You may not know this, but did you know cabbage is also great for cancer prevention? It has been shown to help prevent colon, breast, prostate, lung, and stomach cancers.

It’s thought that the sulfur-containing compound in cabbage inhibits the growth of cancer cells. The phytochemicals in cabbage leaves also increase the body’s ability to fight infections.

According to the National Cancer Institute, people who eat lots of cabbage in kimchi have a 40% lower risk of the progression of cancer cells than those who don’t.

Improves Digestion

One way cabbage helps proper digestion is by improving the function of your digestive system. Cabbage intake is full of fiber, which makes it easier to digest food. Fiber also increases the water in your stool, making it softer and easier to pass through your intestines.

Fiber also reduces constipation, so if you’re having trouble moving things, try adding some cabbage recipes to your diet.

Side Effects Of Eating Cabbage

Despite the health benefits of cabbage, there are some side effects to consider when eating it. For example, raw cabbage salad can cause gas and bloating. If you experience these symptoms, then you should avoid eating raw cabbage until you’ve talked to your doctor about what foods you can safely eat.

Also, a range of cabbage products can cause diarrhea if you overdo it on the veggies. So, be careful not to go overboard when trying out new recipes.

How To Eat Cabbage

If you want to enjoy all the health benefits of cabbage without any of its negative side effects, here are some tips on how to cook cabbage with olive oil:

1) Boil or steam it. This will destroy most of the harmful bacteria and toxins.

2) Add it to soups, stews, salads, sandwiches, wraps, stir-fries, pasta, and rice dishes.

3) Use it as a topping for pizza, burgers, tacos, and other fast plant-based foods.

4) Make coleslaw.

5) Try sautéing it in olive oil with garlic and onions.

6) Bake it into bread and muffins.

7) Mix it into mashed potatoes.

8) Slice it thinly and use it as a garnish for fish, chicken, and beef.

9) Chop it up and add it to salad dressings.

10) Toss it with pasta.

11) Sprinkle it on top of soup and add it to your cabbage soup diet.

12) Add it to omelets.

13) Add it to baked beans.

14) Use it to make kimchi.

15) Use it to make pickles.

16) Use it to make sauerkraut.

17) Use it to make coleslaw.

18) Use it to make slaw.

19) Use it to make chow mein noodles.

20) Use it to make potato chips.

FAQs

Is Cabbage A Diuretic?

Yes, celery cabbage is a natural diuretic, meaning it causes you to lose excess fluid. However, it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for prescription medications.

The best way to use cabbage is to add it to your diet in small amounts. You can start off with one serving per day and gradually work up to three servings per day. You may also try drinking cabbage juice as the content in cabbage might help you lose weight as well.

Is Cabbage Acidic?

No, cabbage is not considered acidic. It’s alkaline. Forms of cabbage consumption shows no adverse effect on teeth enamel. It is also an excellent source of powerful antioxidants such as antioxidant anthocyanin.

Conclusion

To conclude, raw cabbage juice is undoubtedly a vegetable, and it’s packed with nutrients and vitamins. It’s also very versatile, so you can make many different dishes using it.

So, whip up a batch of coleslaw next time you need a quick meal! There are also other ways to make good use of pehnols in cabbage, such as stir-frying veggies, soup, salad, and healthy meal wraps.