White cabbage: benefits and harms

Such a vegetable as white cabbage is used in various dishes. It also has a number of useful properties, which allows it to be used for the preparation of traditional medicine. White cabbage is a storehouse of vitamins, nutrients and minerals.

What is the difference between red cabbage and white cabbage

On the shelves of the store you can find both white and red cabbage. They differ not only in color, but also in their composition.

Studies have shown that red cabbage has in its composition a greater amount of vitamin C. It also contains more other vitamins and minerals.

What is more useful

As a result of the fact that red cabbage is distinguished by a large number of minerals and vitamins, it is a more useful product than white cabbage. But both products will bring invaluable benefits to the body, if used correctly.

Composition and calorie content

Studies have shown that among many vegetables, cabbage is a record holder. It contains a huge amount of minerals and vitamins. Its composition includes:

1. Vitamins of group B. This is a fairly large group, which includes many vitamins. All of them participate in almost all body processes, support the work of the nervous system, immunity.
2. Vitamins E and A. They are necessary for vision.
3. Vitamin C. It is the basis of immunity. The daily norm of the substance is contained in 200 g of the product.
4. Methionine. A rather rare substance that can not be found in all products. It is one of the components of protein compounds and is involved in the proper functioning of cells.
5. Calcium. Participates in the structure of bone tissue.
6. Magnesium. Essential for muscle growth.
7. Iron. Its insufficiency leads to anemia (anemia).

In addition, cabbage contains substances such as zinc, manganese, selenium, sulfur, amino acids, glucose, phosphorus, dietary fiber.

A similar composition allows the use of cabbage in folk medicine to treat a number of diseases. It has been widely used in cosmetology for hair restoration, maintaining youthful skin.

White cabbage, among other things, refers to products with a small amount of calories. In 100 g of vegetable, only 28 kcal is present.

What is useful white cabbage

General benefit

Due to its chemical composition, the vegetable has many useful properties. These include:

1. Body cleansing. Regular use of the product allows you to remove all toxins, cholesterol and harmful substances, which significantly reduces the load on the liver.
2. Reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. The disease occurs as a result of a deterioration in blood vessels, resulting in a violation of blood circulation. Cabbage contains substances that help maintain vascular tone.
3. Maintaining normal glucose levels.Cabbage is used by healers as a means to prevent the development of diabetes, and can also be used in the presence of this pathology.
4. Strengthening and maintaining immunity. There is a significant amount of vitamins in cabbage, including C.
5. A positive effect on the functioning of the liver and gall bladder. This is achieved due to the content of certain substances.
6. Reducing the risk of developing gout. Pathology is manifested in the form of deposition of salts in the joints, which impairs motor activity. In cabbage, there are substances that allow you to destroy the crystals and remove them from the body.
7. Prevention of the development of cancerous tumors, as well as benign tumors.
8. Removal of pain. Cabbage leaves are used in folk medicine to relieve headaches and other types of pain.

The vegetable helps to maintain myocardial function, is recommended for patients suffering from heart diseases, and is an excellent prevention of such pathologies.

For women

White cabbage is known for its dietary properties. With its proper use, women manage to not only maintain weight, but also lose a few extra pounds. The product is included in many diets. At the same time, it contributes to the digestion process, removes harmful substances from the body.

A sufficient amount of folic acid is present in cabbage, which positively affects the functioning of the reproductive system. And the content of sulforaphane is an excellent prevention of breast cancer.

The product has also received widespread use in cosmetology. On the basis of pulp and juice, many masks are made for skin and hair.

For men

Cabbage is also good for the male body. First of all, she is known for her ability to increase libido and potency.

Also, its composition includes special substances that support the work of the cardiovascular system. According to studies, it was found that it is men who suffer from heart diseases more often. Its use is a good prevention of heart attacks, strokes.

It allows you to maintain endurance, is a popular folk remedy for a hangover and cleanses the body of harmful substances.

During pregnancy

This vegetable will benefit during pregnancy. Cabbage not only supports metabolic processes, but also is an excellent protection against viruses, colds due to the content of vitamin C. In addition, it contains folic acid, which is necessary in the early stages of pregnancy for the proper development of the fetal neural tube and its further formation.

But expectant mothers need to know that the product, when consumed in significant quantities, causes flatulence and bloating. Experts recommend pregnant women to eat boiled or sauerkraut.

When breastfeeding

During the period when a woman is breastfeeding, cabbage is especially useful. This is due to the fact that, thanks to its properties, it allows you to get rid of such an unpleasant symptom as a feeling of fullness in the chest.

Cabbage juice also has a positive effect on the process of milk production, and the nutrients and trace elements contained in it will benefit the baby's body.

It is important to remember that the product can cause allergies in the newborn. When symptoms appear, it is necessary to abandon the use of cabbage.

For children

Experts say that a product can be introduced into a child’s diet from a year and a half. Until this age, cabbage is not well absorbed by the body, which causes colic and diarrhea.

All substances that make up cabbage are good for the baby. They are required for the smooth functioning of the nervous system, strengthening bone tissue and muscle growth. Often, children perceive such a product in the diet quite well, since cabbage causes allergies in exceptional cases.

When losing weight

White cabbage is a low-calorie product.That is why it can safely be used in diet food. In addition, it helps to eliminate toxins and toxins, eliminates cholesterol, which clogs blood vessels and becomes a cause of circulatory disorders.

In the absence of contraindications, nutritionists recommend arranging fasting days, in which the menu consists of dishes based on cabbage. But you should not abuse the product, as its excessive use can lead to serious consequences.

Is cabbage stalk useful?

In the middle of the head is a stump. Usually they throw it away. But it contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals, especially in fresh cabbage. It is better not to eat a stump from an old head of cabbage, as it is quite hard.

The benefits and harms of boiled cabbage

White cabbage tolerates heat treatment and even after exposure to high temperatures there is still a sufficient amount of nutrients in it.

Thus, boiled cabbage, which is usually a part of soups, will also bring invaluable benefits to the body. Positive properties include:

1. Increased immunity. Fresh cabbage contains vitamin C, necessary for maintaining the protective forces. Even after cooking, its level decreases slightly. With regular use of boiled cabbage, the body will be protected from viruses, flu, colds.
2. Removal of inflammatory processes. This property is due to the presence of antioxidants that do not break down after exposure to high temperature.
3. Maintenance of the gastrointestinal tract due to the presence of fiber.

Therefore, white cabbage should be eaten boiled. It will bring no less benefits than a fresh product.

But boiled cabbage can also harm the body if it is eaten in the presence of gastritis, ulcers, acute infectious diseases. In addition, when using the product in large quantities, bloating occurs, and diarrhea can occur.

Fried cabbage: benefits and harms

One of the popular dishes is fried cabbage. Although cooking oil uses vegetable oil, fried cabbage is just as healthy as fresh cabbage. This is due to the fact that most of the mineral substances do not disappear even after exposure to high temperatures. Useful properties of the dish include:

1. Slowing down the formation of subcutaneous fat due to the content of tartronic acid.
2. Increased immunity. Vitamin C and antioxidant substances support the immune system and prevent viruses from spreading throughout the body.
3. Normalization of digestion. This is due to the presence of methyl methionine in the composition.
4. Improving metabolism, skin condition, restoration of hair structure. A similar property is due to the content of vitamin B2.
5. Expansion of the vascular walls, their strengthening. This contributes to the normalization of blood circulation and is the prevention of a number of diseases.
6. Normalization of cholesterol. Thanks to this property, the risk of heart attacks and strokes is reduced. They arise as a result of blockage of blood vessels by cholesterol plaques.
7. Prevention of constipation. Fried cabbage contains a sufficient amount of fiber, which supports the normal digestion process.

In women, fried cabbage, like fresh, helps prevent the development of malignant tumors of the mammary glands.

But such a dish can also harm the body. Fried cabbage should not be eaten in the presence of gastritis, peptic ulcer, increased acidity of the stomach. A dish in these cases causes a worsening of the condition, the occurrence of pronounced symptoms.

Useful properties of cabbage juice

Cabbage juice is also very popular in diet food, as it:

1. It has a hemostatic, healing and diuretic effect.
2. It removes toxic substances, which is facilitated by fiber.In addition, it helps to eliminate minor disturbances in the intestines.
3. Restores the mucous membrane of the digestive system.
4. Helps to cope with hemorrhoids and colitis, gastritis with low acidity.
5. Eliminates cough. A similar property is achieved by adding a small amount of honey to the cabbage juice.
6. Eliminates signs of an ulcer, having an enveloping property.
7. Strengthens hair, nails and normalizes complexion. Juice squeezed from cabbage contains a large amount of calcium and magnesium - these elements are the components of hair and teeth.

Healers use juice and leaves to heal wounds and even deep cuts. On the basis of juice, a product is made, which is an excellent prevention of cancer. They say that with its help it is possible to get rid of cancer.

White cabbage in medicine

Cabbage can be included in the diet in the presence of certain diseases. Due to its properties, it helps to alleviate the main symptoms, improve the general condition.

With diabetes

White cabbage may be included in the diet of patients with diabetes. Despite the fact that it contains glucose, it does not affect blood sugar due to the presence of inactive carbohydrates. Per day, for those patients who have diabetes, you can eat no more than 200 g of cabbage.

Important: the glycemic index of cabbage - 10-15 units.

With pancreatitis

In cases when pancreatitis is established, you need to eat cabbage only during the period of remission. This is due to the fact that the composition of the product includes coarse fiber and essential oils. They have a negative effect on the condition of the mucosa and become the cause of the appearance of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating.

It is recommended that patients with revealed pancreatitis consume cabbage in remission only in boiled or baked form. It can be part of soups.

In the case when the patient’s condition is stable for some time, you can introduce fresh cabbage and sauerkraut into the diet, if it is not acidic. But they should be consumed in small quantities, so as not to provoke an exacerbation.

The attending physician will tell you about the possibility of using cabbage after the study, based on the general condition of the patient and the course of the pathology.

With gastritis

In folk medicine, there are several recipes based on cabbage juice. They are used to treat gastritis. Due to its properties and a significant content of useful trace elements, cabbage juice allows you to normalize the digestive tract, has enveloping properties.

But consuming cabbage in any form in the acute phase of the disease is strictly prohibited. During remission, it helps to increase immunity, eliminate the inflammatory process, improve motility and eliminate constipation.

If cabbage is used improperly, if there is gastritis, an ulcer may occur, and the general condition of the patient will worsen.

For the intestines

Cabbage has a number of beneficial intestinal properties. In the absence of certain diseases, it will help support its work, increase immunity and eliminate small disturbances in the functioning of the organ.

Use it for prevention should be in limited quantities.

For constipation

Such a delicate problem as constipation worries many people, especially pregnant women and patients with a sedentary lifestyle. Treatment can be carried out without the use of drugs.

In order to eliminate constipation, it is enough to introduce into the diet dishes based on cabbage and a fresh vegetable. It normalizes the digestive process and eliminates the problem.

With gout

In the case when the decrease in motor activity is due to the development of gout, cabbage will help to cope with unpleasant symptoms. At the same time, it is used both fresh and used as compresses.

Due to its properties, it will help to remove toxins and other harmful substances that accumulate in the joints and limit motor activity.

Cabbage in cosmetology

White cabbage found its place in cosmetology. Today, a large number of recipes are used that help restore the natural complexion, slow down the aging process, activate collagen production and cope with various skin and hair problems.

Cabbage is used in cosmetology due to the fact that it contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals. All of them have a positive effect on the epidermis, hair, improve cell metabolism.

For face

Regular use of products based on cabbage and its juice will significantly improve the appearance of the skin, return to normal complexion. Several recipes are popular:

1. For any skin type. Pour the leaves of cabbage into a glass of water and bring to a boil. Cool the resulting broth and strain with a gauze. In the solution, moisten a cotton swab, wipe it with face and neck twice a day. The tool will help cleanse the skin, restore the natural color, softness and elasticity.
2. For oily skin. In order to eliminate oily sheen and normalize the sebaceous glands, it is recommended to use a product made on the basis of cucumber and cabbage juices. Take them in equal amounts, mix and rub the face with the resulting solution in the morning and evening.
3. With enlarged pores. To narrow the pores, a means of cabbage juice is used. You can squeeze it out using a high-squeezer. Wipe the skin 10 minutes before morning wash.
4. For removing age spots. Not many women like freckles, and age spots on the face are a significant cosmetic defect. You can also bring them out using sour cabbage juice. Apply it on a napkin or cotton swab, wipe the skin, where there are age spots. You can also make a mask. In juice, soak a napkin, squeeze slightly and apply on face for 10 minutes. Then wash with cool water.

Washing and masks are recommended for 15–25 days, after which take a break. After the first course, significant improvements are already noticeable.

For hair

Hair, like skin, needs additional support. They also require nutrients, trace elements and vitamins, as they contribute to the softness and silkiness of the strands.

At home, you can use the following recipes:

1. Nourishing balm. Helps restore dry hair. To prepare it, you will need 50 g of nettle, burdock and cabbage. Pour all 400 ml of milk and put on fire. Boil everything over low heat until all leaves are soft. Cool the broth and squeeze through cheesecloth. Add 20 ml of lemon juice. Apply the balm with massage movements, rubbing into the skin of the head. After half an hour, rinse and rinse hair with egg yolk.
2. From falling out. Using a juicer, you need to squeeze spinach and cabbage so that you get 200 ml of juice. Add a couple of tablespoons of tomato juice, 20 ml of vegetable oil to it. Mix everything and rub into the scalp. With a thin layer, spread the balm along the entire length of the hair. To do this, use a comb. After 2 hours, rinse off the product.
3. To restore the structure. Balm is used to restore damaged hair. For cooking, you need 100 g of parsley and cabbage leaves. Put everything in a pan, pour 500 ml of boiling water. Then put the cook over low heat. Remove from heat 5 minutes after boiling. Insist in a closed container for 2 hours. Add the broth to the water, which rinsed the hair. Use every time you wash your hair for a month.

Hair requires care, and products prepared according to these recipes will help to significantly improve their condition, restore the structure. In addition, such drugs provoke the occurrence of allergies in exceptional cases.

Harm and contraindications

Cabbage, despite its many positive properties, can also cause harm. It should not be used if there are certain contraindications. These include:

1. Thyroid disease. The product contains iodine in significant quantities. Before entering the diet, you should consult your doctor.
2. An ulcer in the period of exacerbation and an inflammatory process affecting the tissues of the duodenum. The use of cabbage can cause deterioration, the further spread of the pathological process.
3. Violation of the digestive tract. In this case, cabbage should be consumed only in boiled form.

Also, with excessive use, the product can cause temporary blurring in the eyes. It passes on its own and does not require treatment. Experts do not recommend eating white cabbage in the presence of problems in the genital area.

In cases where the doctor has recommended limiting salt intake, cabbage should be thoroughly washed before cooking. Proper use of the product in moderation will bring invaluable benefits to the body and will not harm it.

How to choose and store

For maximum benefit, it is important to choose and store the cabbage correctly. When buying, you should pay attention to several factors:

1. The size. No need to get too large heads of cabbage. It is better to stop your choice on average.
2. Appearance. On the surface of the head there should be no rotten places. To the touch, it should be dense and not soft. If you do not plan to cook it immediately, it is better to buy a head of cabbage without dents or other damage.
3. Slice. It should be white.
4. Smell. Pleasant, fresh, rot-free.

Store cabbage in its entirety in the refrigerator. There it can persist up to 6 months. In this case, the temperature may not exceed 0 degrees. The head of cabbage will begin to deteriorate or germinate when the temperature is more than 4 degrees.

A properly selected cabbage will not only last longer, but will also bring invaluable benefits to the body.

Is it possible to freeze

Many housewives are interested in whether it is possible to freeze cabbage. Vegetable tolerates low temperatures, but it is not recommended to store it in the freezer. The thing is that after defrosting, he will lose his taste and crunch. This product is more suitable for cooking soups or vegetable stews. In other dishes, for example, salad, it does not fit.

You can store green leaves of white cabbage in the freezer. After trimming, they are thoroughly washed, cleaned, placed in plastic bags and stored in their entirety. You can use them for cooking cabbage rolls. At the same time, they practically do not lose useful properties.

How much can you eat cabbage per day

Despite the fact that cabbage has a large number of useful properties, it helps to replenish the reserves of vitamins and minerals, it should be consumed in limited quantities.

Experts say that about 200 g of the product in any form can be consumed per day without harm. At the same time, it is better for pregnant women to reduce the daily norm to 100 g.

Also, in limited quantities, the use of cabbage is necessary for patients suffering from chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The daily dose for them is not more than 100 g.

Can I eat at night

Nutritionists do not recommend cabbage in any form before bedtime. This is due to the fact that it contains substances that activate the digestive process. In addition, eating cabbage at night can cause diarrhea, bloating and flatulence.

You can eat cabbage no later than 4 hours before going to bed. Only in this way will the body have time to assimilate it.

Can I eat a stump

Experts are still arguing about whether the stalk is useful or can be harmful. On the one hand, it contains special substances called nitrates. They have a negative effect on all organs and systems, can cause poisoning.

But on the other hand, the stump in its composition has many vitamins and minerals. It contains a significant amount of calcium, magnesium and potassium, as well as vitamin C.

Thus, it is rather difficult to answer the question of whether it is possible to eat a stump. Experts say that you can only eat a stump of fresh small heads of cabbage.

What can be prepared from white cabbage: recipes

Many dishes are prepared from cabbage, both first and second. The product is also used to make pies, casseroles, salads. Here are some popular recipes.

Vitamin Salad

A simple salad that is cooked in a few minutes. To do this, you need cabbage, carrots and canned peas. Chop cabbage, grate carrots on a large or medium grater. Mix everything, add peas. Add salt to taste, and use vegetable oil as a dressing.

Stuffed cabbage "lazy"

A popular dish that also cooks fast and can be a great dinner or lunch. To prepare them, you will need these components:

• minced meat - 400 g;
• egg;
• flour;
• one onion;
• salt;
• cabbage.

Defrost the minced meat, add the chicken egg, chop the onion and cabbage. Mix everything thoroughly, pour flour, salt to taste. Stuffing should be dense enough so that the cutlets do not fall apart. Blind stuffed cabbage, fry in vegetable oil on both sides.

They can be served with various sauces, as well as with any side dish. Ideal vegetable salad.

Sauerkraut

It can be consumed after 3-4 days or left for the winter. Finely chop the cabbage in an amount of 2 kg and knead by hand. This is necessary in order for her to give juice. Wash, peel and grate 500 g of carrots without a grater. Mix and salt everything. Lay in an enameled dish, cover with horseradish leaves from above and place the load. Pierce cabbage daily with a knife to release accumulating gases. After 4 days, transfer to glass jars and close the lid. Keep refrigerated.

Puff pastry cabbage pie

You can also make a pie from cabbage. Dough can be purchased at the store. It is better to take puff without a jerk. It will also take half a small head of cabbage and 3 boiled chicken eggs. Chop the cabbage and fry in vegetable oil until golden brown. Cut the eggs, add to the cabbage and mix. Defrost the dough, roll it out slightly and divide into two parts. Place the first on a baking sheet greased with vegetable oil. Put the filling on top and close everything with the second part of the test. Close the edges and put the pan in the oven, heated to 180 degrees, for 30-40 minutes.

Cabbage is ideal for meat dishes, as a diet. It goes well with many seasonings. It cooks fast enough, especially fresh. Properly selected cabbage has a pleasant taste and aroma.

Why fresh white cabbage is bitter

Having chosen the perfect head, many housewives wonder why cabbage is bitter after cooking. There can be only two reasons for this:

1. Natural. It is worth considering that there are certain varieties that have a slight bitterness. An unpleasant aftertaste also occurs with a significant concentration of glycosides. They are usually concentrated in stumps and green leaves.
2. Mistakes when growing. Many gardeners make mistakes when growing cabbage, which lead to the appearance of bitterness.It occurs when there is a lack of certain trace elements or excessive use of fertilizers. Rare watering also leads to bitterness. That is why weather conditions should be taken into account and cabbage should be watered in a timely manner. You should not plant it next to pepper, as this will also lead to the appearance of bitterness.

Thus, it is important to observe the rules for planting and caring for cabbage. This will significantly reduce the appearance of an unpleasant aftertaste.

Is it possible to give cabbage to animals

Cabbage benefits the human body, but can be harmful to animals. It is strictly forbidden to give vegetables to dogs and cats fresh. It can be part of soups.

Cabbage can be given to rodents. This is their favorite treat. The content of a sufficient amount of minerals and vitamins in it helps maintain the health of the pet and its immunity.

Interesting facts about cabbage

Cabbage is a well-known vegetable. But not everyone knows some interesting facts about the product:

1. Experts are still arguing about the place of origin of cabbage. It is believed that she appeared in Asia. But scientists cannot say for sure about this.
2. Sauerkraut is several times healthier than fresh. Its properties are maintained for 10 months.
3. The word "cabbage" comes from "caputum". This is an ancient Greek word meaning "head." It is believed that she got her name, since it is similar in appearance with the head.
4. On garden plots not only edible varieties are grown, but also decorative ones. They come in various colors.
5. New Jersey (United States of America) law allows cabbage to be traded on any day of the week, but not on Sunday. In West Virginia, it is forbidden to ferment. This is because in the process there is an unpleasant odor that can interfere with neighbors.
6. Cabbage is 90% water.
7. The use of sauerkraut also lies in the presence of lactic acid. It has a positive effect on the intestinal microflora, supporting and restoring the number of beneficial microorganisms.
8. 100 g of fresh white cabbage contains more than half the norm of vitamin C, which is necessary for an adult.

Thus, cabbage is a rather interesting vegetable, which must be on the beds of any gardener.

Squirrel belongs to the record-holder products for the content of useful substances. It is widely used in the preparation of various dishes, including pastries and salads. It is suitable for spins for the winter.

Due to its properties, it has found application in cosmetology. Means prepared from it help to prolong youth and maintain natural beauty. Cabbage is also used in medicine to eliminate certain symptoms and improve the condition. It is important to use it correctly and in moderation so that it does not harm the body.

Photo of white cabbage