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8 Surprising Health Benefits of Cabbage (You Will Love No.1)

By Githu: Nutrition Coach

↓ Jump to Recipe

Cabbage is possibly one of the most unappreciated greens in the vegetable kingdom. Which is a pity, really, because as humble as they are, cabbages are actually loaded with nutritional benefits. Today, I thought I would share with you just 8 surprising health benefits of cabbage. Like the fact that it has powerful cancer-fighting properties. I also put together this simple, but delicious cabbage salad that you could try too.

Vegan cabbage salad

8 Health Benefits of Cabbage That May Surprise You

1. Cabbage contains sulfur compounds, which is a surprising beauty-enhancing mineral the body craves. Sulfur in your diet helps in the following ways:
- To loosen and shed skin, so that your skin renewal process happens optimally. This supports younger-looking skin, as the old skin cells are shed.
- Sulphur is believed to treat skin conditions such as acne and dermatitis.

2. It contains antioxidants that mop up free radicals in the body. Free radicals are notorious for causing the cell mutations responsible for cancer. Eating cabbage protects your body from the damage caused by free radicals.

3. Because it's high in fiber, cabbage is great for your digestive system. It helps prevent constipation and keeps you 'regular'.

4. Cabbage is high in Vitamin C. 1 cup of cabbage contains about 54% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). Red cabbage is known to contain about 30% more Vitamin C than white or green cabbage. Vitamin C has numerous health benefits in the body, including reducing the risk of developing certain cancers.

5. It's a great complement to a weight loss eating plan, because of its inherent high fiber, low-calorie balance. As you embrace cabbage's role in supporting health, consider modern tools like Lasta Fasting app. This app offers meal planning and fasting features, and intermittent fasting is well known as a healthy and gradual weight loss diet, aligning with the goal of a balanced lifestyle. Just as cabbage helps you stay full, Lasta Fasting can assist in the journey to healthy and gradual weight loss. Whether you're enjoying cabbage in your meals or exploring health apps, both play a role in a healthier you.

6. One surprising health benefit of cabbage is its ability to keep high blood pressure in check because it's high in Potassium. The advice given to anyone with HBP is that they should lower their salt intake. Research now shows that increasing the intake of Potassium-rich foods is beneficial in lowering HBP. Potassium helps your body excrete excess sodium through urine.

7. Cabbage is rich in Vitamin K, which is critical in helping blood clot, especially when you're wounded. If your blood didn't clot when you got hurt, you would bleed to death.

8. Do you want to look younger and beautiful? Eat more cabbage in your diet. It's high in Vitamin C, which promotes collagen production in the body. Collagen is responsible for healthy skin and strong bones.

Fill up your plate with some steamed cabbage or a cabbage salad, and enjoy the above health benefits.

How to Make a Cabbage Salad that Looks & Tastes Great

Ingredients for cabbage salad

How do you cook your cabbage? Have you tried thisΒ fried cabbageΒ yet?

Eating healthy doesn't mean eating boring veggies and water. Rather, there are many ways to make meals that are both healthy and really delicious, nourishing your cells with the right nutrients that will keep you satiated for hours.

My darling friend, eating healthy doesn't demand a lot of effort. Sometimes, just a little twist on a classic recipe can give you a luscious meal.

ThisΒ cabbage saladΒ is easy to make. It's just like coleslaw but healthier, with more nutrient-dense ingredients and without mayo! It's bursting with antioxidants and vitamin C, which are key nutrients in healing your cells.

Because it's high in dietary fiber, it's a perfect meal replacement when you want to eat something light. Consider this as a classic coleslaw that has been promoted to the next level! 

Use bright-colored veggies like carrots and sweet peppers in addition to the green cabbage. Feel free to use other veggies that you like or what you have in the season, like celery, fennels, parsnip, etc.

To add a sweet touch, I added pears. Feel free to substitute the pear with apple, or pineapple chunks. They add vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber to this delicious cabbage salad.

Adding nuts and seeds is another fun and healthy way to tweak this cabbage salad recipe. Nuts and seeds are full of proteins and healthy fats, bringing a lovely balance to this salad. This is a perfect cabbage salad for weight loss or a meal in a raw eating diet.

What's The Best Cabbage for Coleslaw?

There are different types of cabbage that you can use to make a cabbage salad.

  • Jaroma cabbage,
  • Pointed cabbage,
  • Purple/ Red cabbage, and
  • White/ Green cabbage. 

In this mixed coleslaw recipe, I've used white cabbage. I wanted the mild taste and white/ green color to balance out the rest of the ingredients.

I tried the same recipe with savoy cabbage, but Savoy isn't quite right for coleslaw or cabbage salad. I'd say, stick to regular white cabbage for this recipe.

How to Get the Maximum Health Benefits of Cabbage when it's Cut

I'd advise you to get a small cabbage and try to use it in a day or 2. This is because once you cut a cabbage, it starts losing its nutritive value, especially Vitamin C.

  • Clean and remove the outer-hard leaves and reserve them to make a vegetable broth.
  • Place the cabbage on a chopping board, the core facing up.
  • Make sure to have a very sharp knife, so you don't strain your hand while cutting.
  • Cut the cabbage into quarters, starting from the core and going down. This helps you avoid waste because you're just cutting up what you need to use. If you want some more cabbage, simply cut up another quarter.
  • Hold a quarter of the cabbage in your left hand, and then use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to shred it. Aim to get nice thin slices, which make the salad easy to chew and aesthetically pleasing.
  • Don't shred the hard parts and the thicker ribs. You can set them aside for your vegetable broth.

Shredding cabbage

Tips to Enjoy the Health Benefits of Cabbage in a Salad

  • Shredded cabbage, especially in salads, is best served immediately to avoid nutrient loss. The more cut veggies and fruits are exposed to light, the more they lose their nutrients, especially vitamin C. This cabbage salad is particularly rich in Vitamin C, so you want to make it as close to serving time as possible.
  • Squeeze a lemon or lime on the grated carrot and pear to avoid oxidation (turning brown).
  • Replace your apple cider vinegar with balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar enhances the flavor, making this cabbage salad amazingly delicious! Also, not everyone can handle the high acidity of Apple Cider Vinegar.
  • You can add garlic and raw onions if your guests don't mind them.
  • Add fruits like pear, apples, or raisins instead of adding sugar or honey if you want some sweetness in your salad. This helps keep it healthy.
  • Also note that the longer this cabbage salad sits, the more liquid it will release, and the less fresh and crunchy it will be. Trust me, a soggy salad is as unpalatable as soggy paper. Just one more reason to serve it immediately.

Now, my dear, I hope the 8 health benefits of cabbage that I've shared have inspired you to add cabbage to your menu. You must try this sensational seared red cabbage with rhubarb.

I would love to get feedback. Let me know in the comments how yours turned out, and if your family liked it.

You've got the power to heal yourself, Githu.

Cabbage salad with carrots & nuts

Get more healthy salads.

  • Colorful cauliflower salad with fresh coconut
  • Easy roasted beets salad with onions
  • Amazing cucumber quinoa salad with tempeh
  • The most delicious black lentils salad

πŸ“– Recipe

Weight loss cabbage salad
Print Recipe
5 from 12 votes

Weight loss cabbage salad with balsamic vinegar

Make this delicious weight loss cabbage salad that's bursting with high vitamin C and a touch of balsamic vinegar to serve as a side dish or as an entree.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: entree, Salad
Cuisine: American, anti-inflammatory, French, healthy, Mediterranean, Vegan
Diet: Diabetic, Low Calorie, Vegan
Keyword: cabbage salad, cabbage salad recipe, coleslaw, mix coleslaw, vegan coleslaw
Servings: 2 people
Calories:
Author: Githu
Cost: €8

Equipment

  • Chopping board
  • Sharp knife
  • vegetable peeler
  • vegetable grater
  • A large bowl
  • big spoon

Ingredients

  • 1 small green cabbage
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 1 medium celery stalk with some leaves on
  • a handful of cilantro leaves
  • 1 pear (ripe but firm)
  • a small piece of fresh ginger
  • ΒΌ cup Mixed nuts of your choice
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
  • 1 lemon

Coleslaw dressing

  • 125 grams yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ground pepper (just a little)
  • Β½ teaspoon Dijon mustard sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt (unprocessd)

Instructions

  • Clean the veggies and pear
  • Remove the outer hard leaves of the cabbage, keep them to make a broth
  • Place the cabbage on the chopping board the core facing up
  • Wish your sharp knife, cut off a wedge or quarter of the cabbage, starting from the core going down
  • Place your bowl in your clean sink, hold the piece of the cabbage with your left hand, slightly inside the bowl
  • Now, using a vegetable peeler, shred the cabbage as shown in the blog post
  • Shred very thinly and avoid the hard part. This way your coleslaw/cabbage salad will be easier to chew
  • Get about 2 cups of shredded cabbage
  • Chop the celery with its leaves, add them into the bowl
  • Grate the carrot add in the bowl with cabbage
  • Dice the pear, add it in the bowl
  • Squeeze the lemon on the carrots and the pear to avoid oxidation
  • You can chop roughly the nuts, (if you want to) add them into the bowl
  • In a small bowl, add and mix all the ingredients of coleslaw dressing, whisk them gently to make a creamy sauce
  • Pour the sauce on the ingredients in the bowl
  • Mix well but gently
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary
  • Serve and sprinkle with pumpkin and sesame seeds
  • Enjoy your cabbage salad, thank you for sharing this recipe.

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Monica L Carten

    February 10, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    This looks wonderful! Thank you!

    Monica

    Reply
    • Githu

      February 11, 2021 at 3:22 am

      I am glad that you like it. Many blessings, Monica.

      Reply
  2. Safiya

    April 05, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    That's my kind of salad. I bet it tastes wonderful with pears. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 08, 2021 at 10:39 am

      Safiya, I am glad that you like it. Yes, pears are soft and they add sweetness to the crunchy raw cabbage. Thank you for being here.

      Reply
  3. Newbie In The Kitchen

    April 05, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for the information about cabbage. There are certainly lots of benefits and I love cabbage, it's so versatile, and even better it's so healthy too!

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 08, 2021 at 10:38 am

      Newbie, I agree with you. Thank you so much.

      Reply
  4. Gloria

    April 05, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    5 stars
    Well, this Ukrainian girl knows a few things about cabbage. The more ways to enjoy it the better. Sounds like a delicious side dish.

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 08, 2021 at 10:37 am

      Hi Gloria, I thank you. This salad is really delicious.

      Reply
  5. Kate

    April 09, 2021 at 5:45 am

    5 stars
    Great article. I learned a lot. Now I know what I have been doing wrong with my cabbage and the common mistakes to avoid. I have all the ingredients for the salad, making it this evening.

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 09, 2021 at 5:43 pm

      Hi Kate, I am glad that this was helpful. Enjoy your salad and have a lovely weekend.

      Reply
  6. Beth

    April 10, 2021 at 9:16 am

    5 stars
    In addition to all the great information about cabbage, I love this technique of shredding it with a peeler. I can see that the fine texture would make this salad even more enjoyable.

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 12, 2021 at 8:00 am

      Beth, how are you? yes, the peeler makes fine cabbage slices that are easy to chew.

      Reply
  7. Aleta

    April 10, 2021 at 9:02 pm

    5 stars
    Wow I had no idea cabbage had so many health benefits! I love it instead of noodles, and use it that way a lot. This salad looks incredible - it's going on my bucket list of recipes to try!

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 12, 2021 at 7:58 am

      Hi, Aleta. Thank you for being here. I am happy that you found this post helpful.

      Reply
  8. Cooking with Carbs

    April 11, 2021 at 1:02 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for this great post. I admit I didn't know much about cabbage, so it's great to learn about these nutritional benefits. The final dish looks delicious and satisfying. I'll have to try this!

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 12, 2021 at 7:58 am

      Thank you so much. I am glad that this post was helpful

      Reply
  9. Erin

    April 11, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    I didn't know cabbage was that healthy! I knew it was healthy but not the extent of it. πŸ™‚ I'm so glad that it's one of the few veggies my son likes!

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 12, 2021 at 7:57 am

      Erin, I am thrilled that your son loves cabbage, he's getting more benefits from it.

      Reply
  10. kushigalu

    April 11, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    5 stars
    That salad looks amazingly delicious plus so many health benefits of cabbage that I dint know. Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 12, 2021 at 7:56 am

      Kushigalu, thank you so much.

      Reply
  11. Loreto and Nicoletta

    April 12, 2021 at 3:14 am

    5 stars
    You would not have to twist my arm to eat this salad. Like everything about it from the crisp veggies to the nuts and seeds. Love the use of ginger and that creamy dressing yum. Thanks for sharing all that knowledge on cabbage. You have motivated us to eat it more often. We usually have it once a week but will definitely step up our game!πŸ‘β€οΈ

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 12, 2021 at 7:55 am

      Thank you, ladies. I am glad that this recipe was helpful

      Reply
  12. Amy Liu Dong

    April 13, 2021 at 5:35 am

    5 stars
    I love cabbage and I am sure that this one is delicious. I will def try this!

    Reply
    • Githu

      April 14, 2021 at 5:13 am

      Hi, Amy, yes this cabbage salad is awesome, I am sure you'll love it. Thank you for being here.

      Reply
  13. Lisa Watson

    February 08, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for your excellent content. This is really very helpful to all. I have insert your link to my article so that my audience could get some better ideas from you.
    If you like then please take a look my article here.
    https://skyzone3.com/9-noteworthy-health-benefits-of-cabbage/

    Thank You

    Reply
    • Githu

      February 09, 2022 at 9:07 pm

      Wow! Lisa, this is amazingly good. Thank you so much. I'll check on your page and link back.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Catherine here. I'm a Certified Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach and Food as Medicine.

Welcome to FOODHEAL

I empower women to break free from pain, fatigue, and low energy, transforming their lives into ones filled with joy and pain-free. I create simple, healthy, anti-inflammatory recipes designed to heal from within, boost energy, and support a vibrant, active life.

Each body is different, which is why I created the FOODHEAL protocol, a 3-month coaching program in which we examine your health issues and tailor a diet that fits you. Learn more

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