White cabbage: benefits and harm for men, women and children, chemical composition

The benefits and harms of white cabbage is an important issue, since the vegetable is widespread and often present on the table. It has many valuable properties, but it should be consumed in moderation.

Chemical composition of white cabbage

White cabbage is not only widespread and accessible, it also has enormous benefits for the body. The vegetable contains all the most necessary elements. Namely:

vitamin C - more than 60% of the daily requirement;
vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B9;
choline, beta-carotene and vitamin A;
nicotinic acid PP;
vitamin K - about 63%, the vegetable is a valuable source of this substance;
potassium and manganese;
a large amount of silicon and cobalt - 177% and 30% of the daily value, respectively;
cellulose;
molybdenum, copper and chromium;
amino acids;
zinc, calcium and phosphorus;
fatty acids and sterols;
small amounts of selenium, fluorine, iron, iodine and sodium.

Carbohydrates in white cabbage account for 4.7 g, and about 1.8 g more are proteins. There is little fat in the product - only 0.2 g. The vegetable has a very low nutritional value - 28 kcal per 100 g serving.

White cabbage is one of the leaders in silicon content

What are the benefits of white cabbage?

When consumed correctly, the vegetable has a very beneficial effect on the human body. In particular, cabbage:

supports intestinal function and helps normalize stool;
accelerates digestion and promotes good absorption of nutrients;
strengthens blood vessels and prevents the occurrence of heart diseases;
is a natural antioxidant and prevents the spread of free radicals in the body;
has a beneficial effect on the skin and hair condition;
promotes good functioning of the reproductive system;
benefits in dietary nutrition;
protects against the development of vitamin deficiency and prevents anemia;
supports good health in diabetes mellitus, since it does not lead to an increase in glucose;
helps fight colds, as it increases immune resistance.

It is useful to eat a vegetable to improve performance and increase vigor. Cabbage leaves charge the body with energy and have a good effect on the nervous system.

What are the benefits of white cabbage for women?

The benefits of raw white cabbage for women are most clearly manifested in weight loss diets.The vegetable has low nutritional value and helps very effectively to lose weight and remove accumulated toxins from the intestines.

But the benefits of the vegetable do not end there. The product improves the digestibility of carbohydrates and prevents the accumulation of fat deposits, ensuring good functioning of reproductive functions. White cabbage helps preserve youth longer as it improves skin condition and smoothes out wrinkles.

Fresh cabbage promotes weight loss

The product is very useful for pregnant women - the vitamins in its composition strengthen the immune system and contribute to the healthy formation of the fetus. When breastfeeding, the vegetable enhances lactation, although it is recommended to introduce it into the diet only 3 months after birth.

Benefits of white cabbage for men

For the male body, white cabbage has a beneficial effect on the vascular system. The vegetable helps strengthen vascular walls, prevents the accumulation of cholesterol and improves blood circulation. This reduces the risk of developing heart disease.

In addition, when consuming the vegetable, sexual function improves. Fresh cabbage or its brine are the most effective folk remedies for hangovers.

What are the benefits of white cabbage for children?

The vitamins in fresh white cabbage are very beneficial for the child’s body. The product strengthens the baby’s cardiac, nervous and digestive systems and prevents the development of constipation.

At the same time, children are allowed to give white cabbage for the first time only after 1.5 years. For the first time, it should be introduced into the diet in boiled form and in very small portions. At an earlier age, the vegetable will be poorly digested and will cause colic and flatulence in the baby.

The product is offered to children only after boiling.

Attention! White cabbage has some contraindications. Before introducing it into your child’s menu, you need to consult with your pediatrician.

Harm of white cabbage

Despite all its benefits, a vegetable can cause harm if consumed incorrectly or in excess:

White cabbage is a product that increases gas formation in the intestines. If you consume more than 200 g of fresh vegetables per day, it can damage digestion and lead to unpleasant symptoms of flatulence.
White cabbage may be harmful if consumed before bed. You can eat some fresh cabbage no later than 4 hours before bedtime, otherwise active digestive processes will not allow you to sleep peacefully.

Important! Old stalks can cause particular harm - they accumulate nitrates.

Contraindications for white cabbage

In some conditions of the body, it is better to exclude white cabbage from the diet. It is not recommended to use the product:

for pancreatitis and enterocolitis;
with exacerbation of gastritis or peptic ulcer;
with a tendency to diarrhea and flatulence;
for kidney diseases.

It is better not to eat the product during periods after abdominal surgery, as increased peristalsis can damage healing.

The product should be used with caution if you have intestinal ailments.

Rules for eating white cabbage

White cabbage can be consumed in any form; it is eaten fresh and boiled, fried and stewed, and pickled. It is recommended to adhere to several rules:

Dishes with white cabbage are seasoned with vegetable oil - it improves the absorption of vitamins. But animal oil and margarine should not be used.
Heat treatment of white cabbage should be as short as possible, no longer than 15 minutes. If a vegetable is exposed to temperature for too long, most of the vitamins will be destroyed.
The benefits and harms of white cabbage salad and other dishes depend on the time of day. It is best to consume the product in the morning or afternoon, when active peristalsis will benefit the body.

It is better to throw away the bitter stalk, it contains harmful substances. Only young stalks from the smallest heads of cabbage are considered safe.

It is recommended to remove the stalk before using the product.

Uses of white cabbage

The useful product is used in several areas at once. White cabbage brings benefits not only in cooking, but also in home treatment, as well as in self-care.

In folk medicine

Thanks to its vitamin composition, white cabbage has numerous medicinal properties. It is used for colds, inflammatory processes and pain.

Cabbage broth for colds

White cabbage contains a huge amount of vitamin C and therefore is good for ARVI and influenza. Usually the following decoction is prepared for treatment:

200 g of cabbage leaves are poured with 500 ml of water;
boil for 15 minutes;
cool and filter through cheesecloth;
add 50 g of liquid honey.

You need to drink the product three times a day, 1 glass, usually cold symptoms

Cabbage broth relieves fever and helps treat colds

Infusion for vitamin deficiency

In case of vitamin deficiency, the vegetable has a very beneficial effect. You can prepare the following infusion from cabbage:

finely chop 60 g of cabbage pulp;
pour 250 ml of boiling water and cover the container with a lid;
leave for 3 hours, and then filter through cheesecloth.

Drink the infusion three times a day warm, 1 glass, in total you need to use the product for 2 weeks.

Vitamin cabbage infusion replenishes the deficiency of nutrients

For migraine

The beneficial substances contained in cabbage leaves have a beneficial effect even when used externally. For headaches, it is recommended to apply a fresh cabbage leaf to the place where the discomfort is concentrated. The sheet should be slightly kneaded first. You need to keep the compress for half an hour.

Advice! You can use white cabbage as a compress even when you have a fever; it quickly reduces the fever.

Crushed cabbage leaves relieve migraines

For mastopathy

Cabbage leaf is good for recurrent chest pain in women. Making a compress is very simple - you need to crush the leaf so that it releases a little juice, and apply it to the mammary glands for half an hour. The compress is secured on top with a bandage; if desired, additional kefir can be applied to the cabbage leaf.

Cabbage leaf is good for mastopathy

For sore throat

Fresh cabbage leaves have a good effect on sore throats and coughs. The vegetable is used in two ways:

apply a compress from the crushed leaf to the throat for a couple of hours, securing the cabbage with a scarf;
gargle with cabbage juice.

The benefits of white cabbage juice and fresh leaves help cope with inflammation and quickly relieve pain.

You can treat sore throats with cabbage compresses and gargles.

For joint pain

Using a cabbage compress can relieve exacerbation of arthritis or arthrosis.The vegetable is used in the classic way - a fresh cabbage leaf is kneaded a little and then applied to the sore joint. It is better to keep such a compress throughout the day, and every hour the sheet needs to be replaced with a new one.

A compress made from vegetable leaves helps with joint pain.

In cooking

In the kitchen, white cabbage is used very widely:

They make salads from the vegetable - chop it and sprinkle it with salt, and then leave it for half an hour. Cabbage in salads can be combined with carrots and apples, beets, herbs, and nuts.
Fresh cabbage is often used in salads
Boiled vegetables are often an element of soups, vegetable stews and side dishes for main courses. The famous cabbage rolls with minced meat are prepared using boiled cabbage leaves.
Stuffed cabbage rolls - a traditional dish using vegetables
Stewed or fried cabbage is placed in pies, pies or rolls; the vegetable is often combined with an egg. The baked goods are not only tasty, but also very healthy.
Cabbage pies with eggs are delicious and nutritious

You can make healthy vegetable juice from chopped vegetables. Sometimes it is consumed in its pure form, and sometimes mixed with carrot, beet and other vegetable juices. White cabbage is often fermented for long-term storage.

In dietetics

White cabbage is one of the most valuable foods in the diet. Since the vegetable has very little calorie content, it is impossible to gain weight on it. But the product removes waste and toxins from the body very well and thus promotes weight loss.

The weight loss properties of white cabbage are well demonstrated in combination with other foods. However, in the absence of chronic stomach diseases, you can arrange fasting days on cabbage leaves.During the day, in this case, they eat exclusively vegetable salad; it can be sprinkled with lemon juice.

Important! It is allowed to follow a mono-diet on white cabbage for no longer than 1 day once a week. It is forbidden to resort to fasting days on this vegetable if you have gastrointestinal diseases.

In cosmetology

The vitamins and minerals in the product help refresh and rejuvenate the skin, get rid of acne and excess oil in the epidermis. Home cosmetology offers several vegetable-based masks.

Mask for dry skin

The following method helps to moisturize the skin and whiten freckles and age spots:

wipe clean facial skin with olive oil;
apply a napkin soaked in chamomile infusion for 5 minutes;
chop 200 g of fresh cabbage leaves;
Spread the paste over your face for 15 minutes.

Shredded cabbage can be used for skin care

It is recommended to make a mask three times a week, then the procedure will quickly bring results.

Nourishing mask for all skin types

The following mask helps restore skin elasticity and slightly tighten the oval of the face:

200 g of white cabbage are ground in a blender;
mix vegetable pulp with egg yolk;
add 10 drops of olive oil to the mixture.

The mixture should be carefully distributed over the face and left for 15 minutes.

Cabbage gruel with butter and yolk nourishes the epidermis well

Acne mask

For skin irritations and acne, this mask gives a good effect:

the fresh vegetable is crushed into a pulp and 50 ml of juice is squeezed out;
moisten a napkin in the juice and apply it to the face for 20 minutes, moisturizing as it dries;
Upon completion of the procedure, wash your face with clean water.

Before using the mask, the skin can be additionally treated with sour cream or cream.

Cabbage juice mask gets rid of acne

Useful tips

When choosing cabbage in the store, you should buy only strong, firm heads with white leaves without spots or black spots. It is best to choose medium-sized vegetables.

The cabbage leaves at the base should not be too thick. Increased leaf density indicates that nitrates were used during the growing process.

The vegetable can be stored for quite a long time, up to several months at a temperature of about 0 °C. To keep the head of cabbage fresh longer, it is recommended to wrap it tightly with cling film in several layers and place it on the top shelf of the refrigerator.

For long-term storage, the vegetable can be cut and frozen, while all the beneficial substances will be preserved in their entirety. But it is best to eat defrosted cabbage boiled in soups and side dishes, since raw cabbage leaves lose their crunch and taste after being stored in the freezer.

When cut, a fresh vegetable should be white, without dark spots.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of white cabbage depend on the dosage of use and the presence of contraindications. The vegetable should not be eaten in too large quantities, as it harms the intestines. But in small portions, white cabbage has a very positive effect on health.

White cabbage: benefits and harms, medicinal properties