What are the Nutritional Benefits of Cabbage?

Cabbage is a nutritious cruciferous vegetable that is low in calories and high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. It also contains vitamin K, vitamin B6, calcium, and folate. Cabbage is also a great source of antioxidants such as flavonoids and anthocyanins, which may help protect against chronic diseases.

Cabbage can be juiced or consumed in a variety of ways. You can eat it raw, steam it, roast it, stew it (my preferred method!), or pickle it. In fact, Korean pickled cabbage, Kimchi, or sauerkraut, are delicious ways to introduce probiotics into the gut.

No matter how you consume it, cabbage has amazing health properties, and juicing it will only intensify the absorption of the compounds. Read on to discover why and which cabbage juice benefits can help you turn your health around!

Differences Between the Green and Purple Cabbage Variety

Green cabbage and purple cabbage are both members of the same family of vegetables, but they have some differences in appearance, taste, and nutritional content.

Appearance: Green cabbage has a pale green color with smooth leaves, while purple cabbage has a deep purple color with slightly crinkly leaves.

Taste: Green cabbage has a mild, slightly sweet flavor, while purple cabbage has a slightly bitter taste that is milder when cooked.

Nutritional content: Purple cabbage contains more anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that give it its distinctive color. Anthocyanins have been linked to various health benefits, including reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of heart disease. Green cabbage, on the other hand, contains more vitamin C and vitamin K than purple cabbage.

In terms of cooking, both green and purple cabbage can be used interchangeably in most recipes, and they both offer a range of health benefits.

Benefits of Juicing Vegetables for Health

Juicing vegetables can provide a range of health benefits, including:

1. Increased nutrient intake: Juicing allows you to consume a larger amount of vegetables in one sitting than you might be able to eat otherwise. This can help you meet your daily requirements for vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

2. Improved digestion: Juicing removes the fiber from vegetables, which can make it easier for your body to digest and absorb the nutrients.

3. Boosted energy: The high nutrient content in vegetable juice can help improve your energy levels and reduce feelings of fatigue.

4. Detoxification: Juicing can help support your body's natural detoxification processes by providing a concentrated source of antioxidants and other nutrients.

5. Reduced inflammation: Many vegetables are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and lower the risk of chronic diseases.

It's important to note that while juicing can be a healthy addition to your diet, it shouldn't be used as a replacement for consuming whole vegetables, unless you are very low in energy or are recovering from health issues, surgery, or persistent chronic disease.

Whole vegetables contain fiber, which is important for digestive health and can help keep you feeling full. However, digesting fiber takes energy, and anyone looking to heal requires all the energy that the body has stored in its cells. That’s exactly where juicing comes in. It’s the ideal protocol to undertake during healing or detoxification!

Cabbage Juice Benefits

Juicing cabbage can provide a range of health benefits, including:

Improved digestion and colon function: Cabbage is high in fiber, which can help support digestive health and promote regularity. Juicing cabbage removes the fiber, making it easier for your body to digest and absorb the nutrients.

Reduced body inflammation: Cabbage is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, including anthocyanins and glucosinolates, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and lower the risk of chronic diseases.

Boosted immune function: Cabbage is high in vitamin C, which is important for immune function and can help protect against infections and illnesses.

Lowered risk of cancer: Cabbage contains compounds called indoles and sulforaphane, which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties and may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Improved heart health: Cabbage is low in calories and high in fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Natural Cabbage Remedies

Cabbage has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for a variety of health conditions. I absolutely love homemade remedy recipes that involve whole foods and herbs. Our ancestors understood the power of healing with nature, and we can even turn to our grandparents today for natural remedy tips to alleviate the common flu, alleviate headaches, and improve digestion.

As the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates pointed out: “Let thy food be medicine, and medicine thy food.” Indeed, food has always been humanity’s disease-preventative fuel and it is able to heal most of our modern ailments!

Here are just some wonderful ways to use cabbage as part of your health regimen:

1. Cabbage leaves for breast engorgement: Cabbage leaves can be used to relieve breast engorgement in breastfeeding mothers. Simply place chilled cabbage leaves on the breasts for 20-30 minutes several times a day to reduce swelling and discomfort.

2. Cabbage juice for ulcers: Cabbage juice has been shown to have healing properties for ulcers. Drink approximately 1/2 cup of fresh cabbage juice 2-3 times a day to help heal the lining of the stomach and reduce inflammation.

3. Cabbage compress for joint pain: Cabbage leaves can be used as a compress to relieve joint pain and inflammation. Boil cabbage leaves in water for a few minutes until they are soft, then wrap them around the affected joint and secure with a bandage. Leave the compress on for 30 minutes to an hour.

4. Cabbage poultice for skin infections: Cabbage can be used as a poultice to treat skin infections such as boils and abscesses. Crush fresh cabbage leaves and apply them directly to the affected area, then cover them with a clean cloth or bandage. Leave the poultice on for several hours or overnight.

5. Cabbage soup for colds and flu: Cabbage soup can help boost the immune system and relieve symptoms of colds and flu. Simmer chopped cabbage, onions, garlic, and other vegetables in a pot with purified water (preferably distilled) until tender, then season with herbs and spices like curry powder to taste.

Cabbage Juice Benefits for Colon Cancer

There is evidence to suggest that cabbage juice has a protective effect against colon cancer. Cabbage is rich in compounds called glucosinolates, which are converted into cancer-fighting compounds called isothiocyanates when the cabbage is chewed or digested. These compounds have been shown to have anti-cancer properties and may help reduce the risk of colon cancer.

There have been several studies that have investigated the potential benefits of cabbage juice on colon health.

For example, a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2011 found that daily consumption of cabbage juice for eight weeks led to a significant increase in the levels of isothiocyanates in the blood. Isothiocyanates are compounds that have been shown to have anti-cancer properties and may help reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Another study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2014 found that cabbage juice was able to inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells in vitro. The researchers suggested that this effect may be due to the presence of compounds called glucosinolates in cabbage.

Yet another study published in the Journal of Food Science in 2015 found that fermented cabbage juice was able to reduce inflammation in the colon of rats with colitis. The researchers suggested that this effect may be due to the presence of lactic acid bacteria in the fermented juice.

Despite these promising studies, it is also important to note that consuming cabbage juice alone is not a substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle, which are important for overall health and colon cancer prevention.

How to Juice Cabbage for Best Results

It’s time to dust off that juicer and start juicing today! My advice is to juice cabbage in the evening - about half an hour before your last meal. This ensures that your dinner is digested more properly, given that our bodies produce fewer digestive enzymes after sunset.

To juice cabbage for best results, follow these steps:

1. Choose fresh, organic cabbage (local, if possible): Choose a head of cabbage that is firm and heavy for its size, with tightly packed leaves. Organic cabbage is preferable to avoid exposure to pesticides and other chemicals.

2. Wash the cabbage: Rinse the cabbage under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris.

3. Cut the cabbage into small pieces: Cut the cabbage into small pieces that will fit easily into your juicer.

4. Juice the cabbage: Feed the cabbage pieces through your juicer and collect the juice in a container.

5. Drink the juice immediately: Cabbage juice is best consumed immediately after juicing to maximize its nutritional benefits. If you must store the juice, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

6. Consider adding other vegetables: While cabbage juice can be consumed on its own, you may wish to add other vegetables such as carrots, celery, or cucumber to enhance the flavor and nutritional content.

Aside from juicing, it’s important to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, and avoid acidic foods, smoking, and alcohol consumption to reap the benefits of juicing and see your health improve significantly.

Final Thoughts

Cabbage juice is the perfect health tonic for many health ailments, particularly digestive and colon issues. Because juicing eliminates most of the cabbage’s heavy fiber, you can reap its benefits more directly without the digestive energy cost of consuming the raw vegetable.

Since digestion takes away 70% of our daily cellular energy reserves, giving your body a break from breaking down and assimilating foods will help funnel this energy to healing and regeneration.

If you are healing chronic disease or recuperating from injury, juicing is the ideal way to assimilate nature’s nutrients into your cells directly without wasting the body’s precious energy on digestion. It is ideal for cancer patients and those suffering from energy-robbing illnesses!

If you suffer from inflammation, low immunity, cancer, heart issues, and gut troubles, start juicing cabbage today and see your condition improve with diligent effort! And if you want to learn more about the many benefits of juicing for your health, check out my related articles below.