Cabbage is a popular vegetable consumed all over the world and can be found in many varieties, like napa cabbage originated in China around 500 A.D which also belongs to the Brassica family.
The plant grows to oblong shaped head consisting of tightly arranged crinkly, thick, light-green colour leaves with white prominent veins. Napa cabbage has small levels of vitamin-A.
However, it also contains flavonoid poly phenolic compounds such as carotenes, lutein and xanthins which convert to vitamin A in the body.
Napa cabbage has very good levels of vitamin-C. 100 g of fresh vegetable provides about 45% of daily requirements of this vitamin.
Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.
Napa cabbage supplies 0.81 milligrams of iron per cooked cup, which is 10 percent of the 8 milligrams that men need each day, and almost 5 percent of the 18 milligrams that women should get every day.
Iron is necessary for a healthy immune system. Cabbage is low in calories which makes it beneficial for weight loss.
You can eat a lot and chew a lot and the calories will stay low, while your tummy feels full.
The vegetable is loaded with soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, which can help control diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids, gallstones, hiatal hernia, high blood pressure, and stroke and may even reduce the risk of cancer.
Napa cabbage is an excellent source of folic acid, one of the essential components of DNA.
Napa cabbage is enriched with vitamin K and anthocyanins that help with mental function and concentration.
These nutrients also prevent nerve damage, improving your defence against Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia.
The high potassium content helps by opening up blood vessels, easing the flow of blood.
The consumption of vegetable is very important to our everyday living as it keeps us healthy and protects the body against many diseases.