7 Potential Health Benefits of Cabbage

Cabbage can combat disease, lower inflammation, and is an affordable and delicious option. But the health benefits of this vegetable don’t actually stop there.

Many people opt to use cabbage solely for its crunchy texture. But once you discover how cabbage can support your health, you might just feel inclined to add more cabbage to your diet. Here are seven reasons why cabbage can be a healthy addition to your eating plan.

1. Cabbage Can Lower Inflammation

Other helpful compounds in cabbage include glucosinolates. “When these compounds are eaten and absorbed into the tissues, they react with signaling proteins in the cells that produce antioxidant and anti-inflammatory enzymes, proteins, and other protective molecules by the cell,” says the food scientist Bryan Q. Le, PhD, of Puyallup, Washington. “[This process] helps the body rid itself of highly reactive oxygen species and other toxic waste products. This can lead to a reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress, which may provide some protection against cardiovascular diseases, carcinogens, and metabolic disorders like diabetes.”

2. Cabbage May Reduce Cancer Risk

In recent years, there’s been plenty of discussion about whether cruciferous veggies have the potential to fight cancer. Because cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, it may have the nutrients that can support an anti-cancer diet.

Then there are those helpful glucosinolates again. “After cutting, chewing, or digesting cabbage, glucosinolates break down into bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory properties,” explains Cindy Chou, RDN, an oncology dietitian and chef in Santa Monica, California. “This may help with the detoxification of carcinogens (cancer-causing agents),” she adds.

3. Cabbage Could Promote Recovery From COVID-19

Napa cabbage and Taiwanese cabbage are Chou’s top choices for a comforting soup when you’re sick. “These two varieties work especially well in soups and stews when added in the last five minutes of cooking,” she says. To reap the antiviral benefits of cabbage and fermentation, try kimchi as a side dish for a noodle bowl or eggs.

4. Cabbage Helps With Blood Clotting and Bone Health

But there is one caveat. Vitamin K is fat-soluble, so when preparing cabbage, be sure to include a source of dietary fat to ensure absorption. According to Amanda Terillo, RDN, a farmer and dietitian who is based in Barboursville, Virginia, this shouldn’t be too difficult. “Many foods that you would cook with cabbage will naturally have fat, such as beef and fatty fish,” she says. “Other ways to include fats could be adding avocado to tacos with cabbage, using oil-based salad dressings in your cabbage salad, and using a good-quality mayonnaise to make coleslaw.”

It’s important to note that some medications can interact with vitamin K, such as antibiotics or anticoagulants. If you take these medications, it’s a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider or dietitian before implementing more cabbage in your diet.

5. Cabbage Is Generally Good for Digestion

For a one-two punch for digestive health, consider adding fermented cabbage (aka kimchi) to meals and snacks. “Kimchi contains the Lactobacillus bacterium,” Chou says. “These lactic acid bacteria have probiotics with health-promoting properties that can help improve our digestion and support the gut microbiome by creating a diverse mixture of healthful microbes in the intestines.”

6. Cabbage Is High in Vitamin C

You might associate vitamin C with citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, but don’t discount cabbage for a boost, too. While we now know that vitamin C can support the fight against cancer, it’s also good for other aspects of your health.

The health benefits of vitamin C don’t stop there. “Vitamin C also aids in wound healing, helps improve the immune system, reduces the severity of certain periodontal diseases, and helps absorb iron, another important mineral for the body,” says Terillo. “Iron can come from heme (animal) or nonheme (nonanimal) sources, though heme iron is absorbed the best.” To get the most out of heme iron and vitamin C, Terillo suggests making cabbage as a side dish to lamb or another red meat roast, or making a sardine sandwich with chopped cabbage on top.

7. Cabbage Boosts Heart Health