Cabbages and your Health?



Cabbage or headed cabbage is a leafy green, red (purple), or white (pale green) biennial plant grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. It is originally from Europe.

With its innumerable varieties, cabbage is considered the king of the family of cruciferous vegetables, which also includes Brussels sprouts, turnips, kale, collards, mustard greens, rutabaga, broccoli, and cauliflower.

Amazing Health Benefits of Cabbages
Researchers have now identified nearly 20 different flavonoids and 15 different phenols in cabbage, all of which have demonstrated antioxidant activity. This impressive list of antioxidant phytonutrients in cabbage is one key reason why an increasing number of studies link cabbage intake to decreased risk of several cardiovascular diseases.

Cabbage averages about 30 calories per cup and is an excellent source of potassium, calcium, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, B6 and C. The dietary importance of cabbage led the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization to list it as one of the 20 most important vegetables for sustaining populations worldwide.

Cabbage Is Packed With Nutrients. ..
It May Help Keep Inflammation in Check. ...
Cabbage Is Packed With Vitamin C. ...
It Helps Improve Digestion. ...
May Help Keep Your Heart Healthy. ...
May Lower Blood Pressure. ...
Could Help Lower Cholesterol Levels. ...
Cabbage Is an Excellent Source of Vitamin K.

How to prepare cabbages?
Cabbages are prepared many different ways for eating; they can be pickled, fermented (for dishes such as sauerkraut), steamed, stewed, sautéed, braised, or eaten raw.
                               
Tasteful ways to prepare Cabbage : 
Cut Cabbage into quarters, removing the hard stem.
Slice each quarter into 1-inch wide strips.
In a large pot, add butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, & cabbage.
Add in chicken broth and toss.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. ...
Simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until cabbage is tender.

Saute Method:
To sauté cabbage, cook it with vegetable oil in a frying pan over high heat. As with sautéing other leafy greens, constant stirring is critical to cooking it evenly until it wilts. Sautéed only in oil, cabbage takes on a mild, sweet flavor, but don't hesitate to add any number of herb and spice combinations. Curried cabbage is a classic side dish that requires heating vegetable oil, curry powder, and onion together in a skillet. After wilting the cabbage in the curry mixture and removing it from the heat, add a dollop of plain yogurt and some fresh lemon juice to finish the mildly spicy dish.

Steam:
Steaming cabbage is one of the best ways to prevent the loss of nutrients through leaching during the cooking process. Because the technique doesn’t require adding fat and extra calories in the form of vegetable oil, butter or other animal fat, it’s also one of the healthiest ways you can prepare cabbage. Slice, shred or roughly tear the leaves and place them in a saucepan’s steamer basket over an inch of rapidly boiling water. Cover the pan to allow the cabbage to steam until it’s tender, turning the leaves once or twice for even cooking. Add salt and pepper or freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste.

One thing for sure though having cabbages as a daily part of your diet is a big plus to your physical health and wellbeing.

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