Purple cabbage also known as red cabbage is a nutrient-dense vegetable, which is widely consumed across the globe. It belongs to the same family as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels, cabbage, kale and other brassica family vegetables. Purple cabbage contains comparatively more nutrients and fewer calories that makes it an ideal vegetable for people aiming for weight loss.
This red vegetable is the powerhouse of dietary fibers, good quality carbohydrates, potassium, plenty of vitamins and other essential minerals. The dark pigment of the cabbage indicates a higher level of antioxidants, which are known to reduce oxidative stress. A higher level of anthocyanins, an antioxidant, specifically found in purple cabbage, lowers the risk of cancer and heart diseases. Apart from these, consuming purple cabbage also has innumerable health benefits, some of which are listed below.
Benefits
Great for digestion
Purple cabbage is low in calories and high in dietary fiber, thus, it effectively aids in the digestion process. Eating cooked cabbage can prevent stomach ailments such as indigestion and constipation. Also, dietary fibers ensure that you stay satiated for a longer time by slowing down the digestion process. This helps in preventing hunger pangs and food cravings, helping in weight loss.
Maintains blood pressure
Regular consumption of red cabbage can benefit people having high blood pressure. Cabbage has higher levels of potassium, which is known to regulate and maintain blood pressure in the heart. Therefore, having this nutrient-dense vegetable can also prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Good for skin
This variant of cabbage is rich in antioxidants, and therefore, is great for your skin. Antioxidants help in keeping your skin youthful for a long time and prevents the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also, purple cabbage is filled with the goodness of vitamin C and we all know how important this vitamin is for keeping the skin glowing and radiant for a long time.
Improves immunity
Purple cabbage has more vitamin C than orange and that is a reason, doctors also recommend having this vegetable daily to stay disease-free. Vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidants present in cabbage improve and strengthen your immune system. It helps in flushing out toxins from the body and therefore improves your metabolism. Vitamin A helps in improving your eyesight as well.
Strengthens bone and muscle
Eating raw cabbage can help in strengthening your bones, and preventing joint pain and inflammation. It contains vitamin K, potassium and other minerals that help in improving the functioning of bones and muscles.
<p><strong>How to include purple cabbage in your diet</strong></p><p><strong><br></strong></p>
How to include purple cabbage in your diet
Sauteed purple cabbage
You can sautee this red cabbage with some seasoning and some vinegar to eat it as a side dish with your grilled or baked foods. You can also add some olive oil and garlic for added taste.
No-cook salad
You can also consume this vegetable raw in a salad form, all you need is some basic ingredients and your no-cook salad will be ready in no time. Take shredded cabbage leaves, some of your favorite vegetables like broccoli, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, avocados or anything else you like and season it with pepper and salt, add some olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Give it a good toss before serving.
Cook it with any other vegetable in a curry form
You can use the same technique as the green cabbage to cook the red one also. Although, this particular cabbage best goes with Chinese and Thai culinary, try adding purple cabbage in your manchurians and red curries to enhance their taste.
FAQs
Purple cabbage is low in calories and high in dietary fiber, thus, it effectively aids in the digestion process. Eating cooked cabbage can prevent stomach ailments such as indigestion and constipation. Also, dietary fibers ensure that you stay satiated for a longer time by slowing down the digestion process.
What happens if I eat purple cabbage every day? ›
Weight loss: Purple cabbage has fewer calories and is high in nutritional fiber. It fills you up and meets your nutritional demands. Antiaging properties: Antioxidants shield you from the effects of free radicals; they lessen the indications of aging caused by free radicals.
What does purple cabbage do in the body? ›
Purple cabbage is a great source of antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds that help protect against cellular damage. Its antioxidants include vitamin C, carotenoids, and flavonoid antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and kaempferol. In fact, it often contains higher amounts of these than green cabbage (2).
Is purple cabbage good for high blood pressure? ›
Supports heart health
Purple cabbage is a heart-healthy addition to your meals. Its high fibre content helps lower cholesterol levels, promoting cardiovascular health. Additionally, the anthocyanins present in purple cabbage have been linked to improvements in blood pressure, further contributing to a healthy heart.
Does purple cabbage help you lose weight? ›
Purple cabbage takes its color from anthocyanins. It is also rich in vitamins A, C, K, antioxidants, and dietary fibers. Being highly nutritious and low in calories, the purple cabbage can help you decrease your weight and maintain it on a moderate level.
Is purple cabbage healthier raw or cooked? ›
When selecting a red cabbage, the color should be vibrant. You can add this versatile vegetable to soups, stews, salads, and coleslaw. It's delicious raw, steamed, sautéed, or fermented. It retains the most nutrients when it's eaten raw but is still highly nutritious when cooked.
What are the disadvantages of eating cabbage everyday? ›
Cabbage is a common gas-producing vegetable. It's also high in fructans, a type of carb that individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often have a difficult time digesting ( 33 ). Even with low intakes of cabbage, people with IBS may experience symptoms, such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea ( 34 ).
What organ is cabbage good for? ›
Cabbage, especially red cabbage, seems to raise levels of beta-carotene, lutein, and other heart-protective antioxidants. It also helps lower something called “oxidized” LDL, which is linked to hardening of the arteries. And since it eases inflammation, it can help prevent heart disease.
What are the side effects of eating raw purple cabbage? ›
Cabbage contains phytonutrients that act as antioxidants to reduce your risk of certain cancers. However, eating large quantities of cabbage can cause negative side effects, such as flatulence, diarrhea, medication interactions, and hypothyroidism.
Is purple cabbage good for kidneys? ›
Cabbage is another good vegetable for people with kidney disease. It contains high levels of fiber and plant-based protein. As a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, cabbage is loaded with vitamins and minerals and contains powerful plant compounds.
Blueberries contain many other beneficial compounds as well, Dr. Howell said. “Blueberries are a melting pot of these bioactive compounds that work together to bring about all these different health benefits,” she said. “They eclipse red cabbage.”
Does purple cabbage make you sleepy? ›
The rich red/purple colour of red cabbage is due to the presence of anthocyanin polyphenol pigments (3) and these polyphenols are thought to bestow red cabbage with its sleep-inducing qualities.
What is the healthiest cabbage to eat? ›
Napa cabbage contains high levels of vitamin B9. Just 1 cup delivers 11.75% DV of this important folate. One healthy serving of napa cabbage has a positive effect on your heart, circulatory system and red blood cells.
How much cabbage should I eat a day? ›
To get the most benefit, try to consume ½ to ¾ cup cooked or 1 ½ cup raw cabbage per day at least 5 days per week. This is pretty easy to do since there are so many ways to prepare cabbage. Traditional methods of steaming or boiling cabbage can extract flavor and nutrients.
Does cabbage burn belly fat? ›
Does cabbage burn belly fat? Although cabbage is a nutritious low-calorie vegetable, many people associate it with weight loss because of the popular "cabbage soup diet". Some creative marketing has led people to believe that cabbage actually burns body fat. In fact, no food, including cabbage, burns body fat.
What is the best way to eat red cabbage? ›
There are a number of ways to cook red cabbage but the most common are to braise or pickle it, although it's also delicious raw in winter salads and coleslaws. Red cabbage is full of vitamins (A, C and K), minerals and antioxidants so eating it raw or juicing it also provides a fantastic health boost.
Is too much red cabbage bad for you? ›
To maximize its health benefits, increase your cabbage intake slowly and allow your body to adjust. Also, stay hydrated to reduce constipation, which can cause excess gas. Cabbage might not be the best choice for a romantic night out since eating too much can cause diarrhea, flatulence or abdominal discomfort.
Can I lose weight eating cabbage every day? ›
Cabbage is rich in water and fibre, which helps in keeping the intestines healthy. By consuming cabbage, the stomach feels full for a long time. This reduces appetite so that you can avoid overeating. The fibre in cabbage removes constipation and accelerates metabolism, which helps in weight loss.
