9 health benefits of red cabbage recipes (2024)

Red cabbage recipes are back on the menu after the brassica’s very many health benefits have seen its sales boosted by nearly 50%! So here’s why you should be adding more red cabbage to your diet...

By Amy Lewis
9 health benefits of red cabbage recipes (1)9 health benefits of red cabbage recipes (2)

Red cabbage has been declared the new kale, the new avocado, the new quinoa… Basically, the new food item that we’ll be adding to every recipe in a bid to reap the multitude of health benefits it offers. But what exactly are the much heralded health benefits of red cabbage?

High in vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential to the body – it boosts collagen production to support muscles, connective tissue and healing, strengthens the immune system by boosting white blood cell production, and is an effective antioxidant, fighting inflamation, heart disease and more. One portion of red cabbage contains 56% of your daily recommended intake.

Good for eye health
One portion of red cabbage contains 33% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, essential for protecting eye health and vision as we age.

Tried & Tested Recipe: Blackcurrant-Braised Red Cabbage

Packed with beauty vitamins
Red cabbage is full of sulphur, which the body uses to produce keratin – the protein responsible for strong, healthy hair, skin and nails.

Great for healthy diets
Red cabbage is low in calories and fat, but high in fibre and contains a small amount of protein, too.

Tried & Tested Recipe: Spiced Red Cabbage

Brilliant brain food
Red cabbage contains more nutrients (vitamin K and anthocyanins) that help with brain function, concentration and the prevention of nerve damage than white cabbage, meaning that adding more to your diet could help to protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

It could help fight cancer
Red cabbage has been proven to contain lupeol, sinigrin and sulforaphane, compounds which help to stimulate enzyme activity in the body that inhibits tumour growth.

Tried & Tested Recipe: Red Cabbage with Pears

It’ll lower your blood pressure
Red cabbage is high in potassium, which will ease the flow of blood around the body.

Stomach ulcer treatment
The amino acid glutamine, found in high concentrations in red cabbage juice, has long been used as an anti-inflammatory for treating stomach ulcers.

Tried & Tested Recipe: Red Cabbage and Beetroot Salad

It might cure your hangover
Ancient Romans apparently used cabbage to restore their bodies after heavy alcohol consumption. So try munching on some red cabbage the morning after!

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FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat red cabbage? ›

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. The flavor becomes a little milder when you cook it.

What does red cabbage do to your body? ›

Fiber content: Red cabbage is a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes bowel regularity. Fiber also helps regulate blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight. Vitamin K: Red cabbage is high in vitamin K, which plays a crucial role in blood clotting and bone health.

Does red cabbage cleanse your colon? ›

Both apples and red cabbage are deep colon cleansers in their own right but when you combine these two foods together, a special kind of alchemy is activated, and this duo act powerfully to expel worms, parasites, bacteria and viruses from the colon and entire intestinal tract.

Can I eat raw red cabbage everyday? ›

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.

Is red cabbage better than blueberries? ›

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.”

Is cooked red cabbage better than raw? ›

Cooked cabbage is higher in antioxidants called glucosinolates. Cooking helps break down the cell walls in cabbage to release more of these compounds. Glucosinolates have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Fiber content is about the same cooked vs raw.

Is red cabbage good for your liver? ›

All cabbage is great but red has even more antioxidants and nutrients than green. Here I am detailing the benefits of red cabbage in particular, and why your liver loves it. This gorgeous veggie gets its colour from a flavonoid called anthocyanin. Flavonoids are anti-inflammatory and are super anti-oxidants.

Is red cabbage anti-inflammatory? ›

Red cabbage is a nutrient-rich vegetable which has been linked to a number of health benefits including inflammation, a healthier heart, improved gut function and a lower risk of certain cancers.

Is red cabbage healthier than lettuce? ›

Which should you choose? If you're looking for the healthier option of the two, choose cabbage. Lettuce varieties such as red leaf lettuce and romaine are also good options. Cabbage, including green and red cabbage, is typically higher in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds than iceberg lettuce.

Is red cabbage good for your hair? ›

Red cabbage is full of sulphur, which the body uses to produce keratin – the protein responsible for strong, healthy hair, skin and nails. Red cabbage is low in calories and fat, but high in fibre and contains a small amount of protein, too.

Who should not eat raw cabbage? ›

Raw cabbage contains compounds that can lead to increased gas production during digestion. For those prone to flatulence or with sensitive digestive systems, consuming raw cabbage may exacerbate these issues. Cooking cabbage can help break down these compounds, reducing the likelihood of excessive gas.

How do you make red cabbage more digestible? ›

Cabbage contains a sugar called raffinose, which is left undigested until the bacteria in the gut ferment it. This fermentation can cause gas and bloating. Cooked cabbage is more digestible, and eating it will probably result in less gas.

Does cooking red cabbage remove nutrients? ›

[4] , boiling and stir-frying were the two methods that caused significant losses of total phenolics in red cabbage. However, other authors have reported that steaming and boiling increased the antioxidant activity of red cabbage. ... ...

Is red cabbage better for you than lettuce? ›

If you're looking for the healthier option of the two, choose cabbage. Lettuce varieties such as red leaf lettuce and romaine are also good options. Cabbage, including green and red cabbage, is typically higher in vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds than iceberg lettuce.

Which is healthier, green cabbage or red cabbage? ›

Red cabbage contains 10 times higher of Vitamin A than the green ones. A cup of red cabbage provides 33 percent of daily Vitamin A intake compared to only 3 percent of the same serving of the green variety.

References

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