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The benefits of purple cabbage may just convince you to add this incredible food to your diet. Also known as red cabbage, purple cabbage (which goes by the scientific name Brassica Oleracea) is a vibrant, flavorful vegetable that goes great in salads and coleslaw – and even cabbage soup.
Here are just some of the health benefits associated with purple cabbage.
Reasons Why You Should Consider Eating More Purple Cabbage
Cruciferous vegetables such as purple cabbage can help keep the body nourished and working as it should. Purple cabbage contains powerful nutrients that can support heart health and digestive function.1
Nutrients, Vitamins, And Minerals In Purple Cabbage
There are several nutrients in purple cabbage that may deliver important health benefits. These vitamins and minerals include calcium, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A and vitamin K.2
Here’s a closer look at just how critical these nutrients are to good health.
Calcium
Calcium is one of the most important minerals for the body. It’s found in purple cabbage as well as many other kinds of food. Calcium is needed in the body to support bone growth and health. Your bones are constantly absorbing calcium, using the mineral to redevelop over time. Calcium is critical to helping people avoid broken bones, especially as they age.3
Calcium also supports proper muscle and nerve function.4
Potassium
Potassium is essential for proper tissue and cell function.
A potassium deficiency may lead to muscle weakness, fatigue, and constipation. In severe instances, a potassium deficiency may result in issues related to the kidneys and cardiovascular system, and even paralysis.5
Vitamin C
This vitamin is key to many bodily functions. Interestingly, though, humans can’t synthesize vitamin C on their own. Most other animals can, but humans must get vitamin C through food or supplements.
One of the important roles of vitamin C in the body is helping to produce collagen. Collagen is a structural protein that gives skin its strength and elasticity. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants are critical for helping the body to fight against free radical damage.6
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for immune health, vision, and also the reproductive health. It also supports the function of the kidneys, lungs, and heart.
In addition to cabbage, you’ll find vitamin A in many other foods, such as dairy products, beef, fish, fruits, and vegetables.7
Vitamin K
Vitamin K helps support proper blood clotting and bone health.8
The Powerful Health Benefits Of Antioxidants
Purple cabbage, like many other fruits and vegetables, contains powerful antioxidants.9 Antioxidants are substances that help fight the effects of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been linked to wrinkles, dark spots on the skin, and organ damage, especially in older adults.10
Free radicals are the main culprits behind oxidative stress. These are molecules that are missing an electron. They scavenge the body looking for that electron, and they couldn’t care less where they take it from. This means they’ll take it from muscles and tissues, which can lead to serious damage.
Antioxidants provide free radicals the electrons they’re searching for. This can help protect the body from the damage free radicals can do.11
Weight Loss: Purple Cabbage Is Low In Calories
If you’re trying to lose weight, eating purple cabbage might help. One cup of shredded purple cabbage contains just 22 calories. Not to mention its full of healthy vitamins and minerals and is a great source of fiber.12
But counting calories is just one component of a safe weight loss program. You also need to make sure you have a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein.
Talk to your doctor for help coming up with a weight loss plan. Ask them about incorporating purple cabbage into your diet. It may be one of the best things you can do for your overall health.
Learn More:
Try These Foods Good For Joints And Cartilage (And Avoid These Others)
What Foods Might Be Making You Bloated?
Foods High In Vitamin C – Why You Need Them In Your Diet
Sources
1 https://www.farmersalmanac.com/13-cabbage-health-benefits-26837
2 https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169977/nutrients
3 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional
4 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional
5 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Potassium-HealthProfessional/
6 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional
7 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-Consumer/
8 https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-Consumer/
9 https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/cabbage/
10 https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/antioxidants/
11 https://www.livescience.com/54901-free-radicals.html
12 https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2829/2
