Features of cabbage: the content of vitamins in the composition, useful qualities and contraindications to use

White cabbage is grown in different parts of our planet and is very popular among culinary specialists and experts in healthy nutrition. In Russia, much of the cabbage is cultivated in the total world volume, and domestic breeders have developed many varieties of this useful vegetable. Cabbage has not only a pleasant taste, but also a variety of valuable medicinal properties, due to which it is widely used in the preparation of various dietary tables, as well as in the manufacture of traditional medicine.

Read more about the benefits and contraindications to the use of cabbage later in this material.

White cabbage belongs to the cruciferous family. It has a rounded shape, dense leaf structure and a tall stem.

The most popular varieties of cabbage are:

• early;
• average;
• late.

Interestingly, the early varieties are almost unsuitable for prolonged storage due to the fragile structure of the leaves. Therefore, they are usually consumed fresh.

Due to the high resistance to negative external factors, in Russia, cabbage is considered the main crop grown in open ground. This is especially true of the northern and central regions of the country, where it accounts for about half the area of ​​all vegetables.

The leaves of cabbage are concentrated a lot of vitamin C, which is stored in it for a long time despite the influence of external factors. This happens due to the fact that it is in the structure of the cabbage, not only in a free state, but also in a related form - ascorbigen.

In this vegetable are almost all chemicals that are of particular importance for the human body. The exact chemical composition of the cabbage is reflected in the following table:

• Vit BUT;
• Vit E;
• Vit WITH;
• Vit IN 1;
• Vit AT 2;
• Vit AT 6;
• Vit AT 9;
• potassium;
• calcium;
• sulfur;
• phosphorus;
• chlorine;
• boron;
• molybdenum;
• antioxidants (chemical compounds that neutralize oxidation);
• cellulose;
• pectins (substances that absorb toxins in the intestines);
• sugar (fructose, glucose);
• amino acids;
• organic acids (malic, citric, tartonic);
• choline (vitamin-like nutrient);
• phytoncides (biologically active substances that can destroy pathogens).

One of the main distinguishing qualities of cabbage is the presence of U - methylmethionine, which has a therapeutic effect on gastric ulcer, colitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, intestinal atony.

The healing qualities of the culture are quite diverse. It activates metabolic mechanisms, has an anesthetic effect. It is often included in the diet for atherosclerosis.

Interesting fact. In the Russian chronicles cabbage was first mentioned in 1073 in the Izbornik Svyatoslav. There, the vegetable storage technology is described in detail, as well as its use in cooking and in traditional medicine. In the famous leadership of the XVI century "Domostroi" detailed instructions on the preparation and storage of cabbage dishes were described.

The energy value of the product per 100 g is about 28 kcal. The carbohydrate content is 18.8 g and proteins - 7.2 g.

Cabbage, like any other product, has beneficial and harmful properties. Consider in detail those and others.

The main positive properties of cabbage:

• excretion of toxins and cholesterol from the body;
• recovery of the cardiovascular system;
• decreases the intensity of the manifestations of liver failure;
• blood glucose concentration decreases;
• working capacity increases;
• improves the immune system;
• emotional balance is restored;
• helps with diseases of the digestive tract and gout;
• prevention of the development of malignant neoplasms.

Healing qualities of cabbage juice:

• elimination of urination disorders;
• treatment of inflammatory processes in the airways;
• Acne treatment (if used as a lotion or tonic for the face).

Cabbage leaves - this is an effective compress, useful for bruises, burns, inflammatory processes of the knee and elbow joints, fever.

As a result of heat treatment, a cabbage loses a certain amount of valuable qualities. At the same time, in sauerkraut the number of useful trace elements remains almost unchanged. But do not discount the harm of salt. To level this factor, just wash the chopped cabbage thoroughly to completely remove this preservative.

In addition, sauerkraut can slow down the process of intoxication (therefore, this dish is often used as a snack to strong alcoholic beverages). It removes well the main manifestations of hangover.

Like any product cabbage can be detrimental to health. Of course, the positive qualities of cabbage significantly outweigh, but at the same time, care must be taken.

Contraindications:

• acute stage of gastric and intestinal ulcers;
• acute inflammatory process of the digestive tract;
• gastrointestinal bleeding;
• thyroid disease.

You can not eat cabbage daily with weight loss, since an excessive amount of coarse fibers of the intestinal wall can be injured, resulting in a sharp pain in the abdomen. In addition, these symptoms can occur when insufficiently chewing cabbage, so if you do not have the most healthy teeth, it is better to limit the amount of cabbage to be eaten, or chew the product more carefully.

There are many diseases that cabbage helps to cure. This applies to all types of this vegetable.

So, with the help of white cabbage, you can:

• cure bruises, abrasions, burns, skin ulcers;
• reduce itching and skin irritation due to insect bites;
• relieve headache, eliminate swelling with flux, relieve muscle pain after intense physical exertion;
• reduce pain in throat diseases: sore throat, pharyngitis, tonsillitis;
• eliminate pain in case of vascular and joint diseases (arthritis, arthrosis) and in case of insufficiency of venous valves;
• improve the characteristics of the liver, urinary system and biliary tract;
• reduce manifestations of the main symptoms of various disorders of the respiratory system (cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.);
• fight against skin diseases such as lichen, eczema, purulent rashes, allergies, dermatitis;
• prevention of constipation.

With the systematic use of cabbage representatives of the stronger sex will not have to worry about the health of the prostate gland. The product does not develop prostatitis and supports local immunity.

Cabbage is important for people involved in sports, because it is able to remove tension in the muscles. In addition, despite the relatively low calorie content, cabbage is able to invigorate for the whole day. For people who are engaged in intensive physical or mental work, the salad of young cabbage will be an ideal snack. Such a simple and healthy dish will give you the right amount of energy and a minimum of calories!

It should be noted that Cabbage is food for brain cells. This is due to the enormous content of vitamin K and anthocyanins. At the expense of these substances the intellect is strengthened and the concentration of attention increases. In addition, this product is able to level the effects of stress on the body of a man and prevent the development of depressive states.

The beneficial effect of this culture on potency has been proven. Cabbage has the ability to prevent premature ejaculation, which prolongs sexual intercourse.

Among other things, cabbage has a positive effect on the structure of bones - because it contains all the necessary healthy bone tissue mineral compounds, such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. These substances prevent the destruction of bones and joints.

As already mentioned, cabbage has the ability to excrete toxins, thereby cleansing the blood of harmful compounds. This is especially true for the strong half of humanity: smoking, alcohol, the "poisonous" ecology of megacities hit their health no less than infections.

Another valuable quality of cabbage is the prevention of early aging of tissues. Therefore, dishes prepared with the use of this vegetable, contribute to active longevity, which is very important in light of the recent increase in the retirement age.

Interesting fact. In Russia, the beginning of the harvest of cabbage coincided with the beginning of the girl's festivities and get-togethers.

If we evaluate white cabbage from the point of view of the influence of its chemical composition on the female body, then we can note a number of important points:

• treatment of inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract and a positive impact on the digestive processes in general;
• stimulation of metabolic processes;
• positive impact on the reproductive health of women.

Women who lead an active lifestyle and spend most of their time on their feet can use a cabbage compress to relieve leg fatigue and reduce the severity of swelling. Also, this tool can be used as a preventive measure for varicose veins. Systematic consumption of cabbage will strengthen the valves of the venous vessels, increase their elasticity, and improve blood circulation.

Cabbage has the ability to heal wounds and reduce inflammation. In addition, it prevents the development of a malignant process. All these therapeutic effects in combination do not allow the development of such a female disease as mastopathy.

The leaves contain special chemical compounds - indoles. They prevent the effects of estrogen on the structure of the mammary glands.

White cabbage is often used as a cosmetic. Various masks are made of it, and cabbage juice is used as a cleansing lotion for washing.

You can make your own homemade mask, the main ingredients of which will be: cabbage juice (50 ml) and oatmeal. The mask is recommended to be applied on the face evenly and hold for 20 minutes. Remove the mask with warm water.

Interesting fact. The author of the theory of evolution - the famous English scientist Charles Darwin - argued that all known varieties of cabbage have a common ancestor - one wild type of vegetable. This proves the unique ability of cabbage to the emergence of new varieties.

One-year-old children are often made compresses of cabbage leaves to the sites of vaccination, it helps to reduce local manifestations of irritation and inflammation on the skin of an infant. Cabbage in any form - is a source of vitamin C, which is necessary in the fight against pathogenic viruses for colds.

Ascorbic acid, which is rich in white cabbage, is very useful for the growth of milk and molars in children.In addition, it strengthens the gums, enamel and bone tissue. The most suitable age of the baby for the introduction of this complementary food is 5 months, if the child is on artificial feeding, and 6 months - for those babies whom the mother feeds with breast milk.

In addition, caring parents should follow several rules:

• Specialists are strongly advised not to give fried cabbage to young children. The best choice is steamed or baked cabbage. Also, the baby can be given boiled cabbage or add it to the first dishes;
• If a young child has a stomach with a white cabbage after he has tried the dish, then you should exclude this vegetable from his diet for some time and wait for the moment when the intestines of the crumbs get stronger.

Of course, cabbage is a very useful vegetable, but still you should not neglect the precautionary measures, especially when it comes to the health of your baby. It does not need to be given to a child if he suffers from colitis or is prone to diarrhea. Cabbage is extremely useful fresh, so if the crumb takes it normally, then after it turns 1 year old, you can actively give it fresh cabbage salads.

Interesting fact. A stalk is a large kidney, which in the following year after germination brings many pods.

Cabbage is very valuable for women in the "position", as it contains coarse fiber and many vitamins.

Ascorbic acid prevents platelet aggregation (gluing).

Potassium reduces the amount of edema, which is also very valuable for the future mother's health.

Folic acid is needed for the harmonious intrauterine development of the fetus.

Cabbage is recommended for women suffering from first trimester toxicosis, as in the fermented form, it helps to get rid of the constant nausea, however, in this case, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor who is watching the pregnancy.

In folk medicine, cabbage is widely used to treat a variety of diseases. Most often, traditional healers use white cabbage as an ingredient for the preparation of funds for the treatment of gastric ulcers. It may be prescribed for inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, ulcerative colitis, tuberculosis and liver failure.

Cabbage heads have an antitumor effect, so they are often used for additional therapy of cancer patients.

Cabbage seed decoction is an effective diuretic drug that is actively used in the treatment of diseases of the joints and gout.

Cabbage leaves are used as an alternative to synthetic wound-healing medicines for burn wounds. Also locally, they can be used for mastopathy and ulcers.

Means of traditional medicine with the addition of white cabbage.

1. Decoction for the treatment of angina and pharyngitis. Boil 400 gr. cabbage until they become soft. Water is drained through gauze. Cool broth to 35 ° C. In 200 ml of broth add 3 tsp. honey and mix. Drink on an empty stomach before meals 4 r. a day for half a cup.
2. Cabbage juice in the treatment of gastrointestinal tract pathologies. It should be drunk 3 times a day 40 minutes before meals. Single dose - 100 ml.
3. With gastritis with low acidity. You should take warm cabbage juice 2 times a day on an empty stomach. The first time you need to take 1 tbsp. l funds and increase to half a glass.
4. With bronchitis. Take 2 tsp. sugar and add to 250 ml of cabbage juice, mix thoroughly. Take twice a day for a glass.
5. With kidney stones. Pour 1 tbsp. l seeds 500 ml of water.Keep in a water bath for half an hour. Broth skip through cheesecloth and cool. Further, the amount of funds by adding the right amount of water to bring to the initial. Take half a cup 15 minutes before meals 4 p. per day.
6. When rhinitis. In both nostrils, instill 2 drops of cabbage juice three times a day.
7. For healing hematomas. Boil in shredded cabbage in milk. Put it on a clean, dry cloth and apply to the damaged area of ​​skin in a warm form (if the integrity of the integument is preserved). Keep such a compress for no more than 1 hour, after which the compress should be washed with water.
8. Slimming very useful cabbage juice. It is enough to drink 1.5 glasses a day to soon feel the positive effect of the diet.
9. To combat pigment spots and early facial wrinkles women often use cabbage juice as a tonic for washing. This tool gives the face freshness, tones and prevents the premature appearance of signs of aging.

Kvass from cabbage in taste is very similar to the usual bread kvass, with only a slightly salty cabbage flavor. However, its composition is much richer, in terms of the content of valuable nutrients, which are contained in excess in the structure of fresh vegetables.

The most important therapeutic effect of cabbage kvass, which is felt not later than after the first use of the drink, is the restoration of normal intestinal microflora, elimination of excess gas formation, reduction of intestinal motility, as well as stimulation of the digestive process by increasing the acidity of gastric juice.

With the systematic use of cabbage kvass in food can achieve very tangible results:

• improve skin and hair condition;
• strengthen the immune system;
• increase work capacity.

As already mentioned, cabbage is a useful product with a lot of valuable qualities. However, not every one of us can eat it all the time. Someone has contraindications, someone does not like its taste (this is especially characteristic of first courses, because when cooking this vegetable loses most of its beneficial qualities and acquires a specific flavor, which not everyone can appreciate).

Cabbage juice is nothing more than a concentrate of all valuable substances that cabbage contains. Nutritionists say that 350 ml of cabbage juice contains as many vitamins as 50 kg of vegetable, processed by high temperature.

In order to supply your body with a mass of nutrients, you only need to drink 250 of this healing drink daily. At the same time you will not need to spend time preparing various culinary masterpieces.

Cabbage juice can be drunk even by someone who has contraindications for eating fresh cabbage. This drink is very useful for people suffering from type 2 diabetes.

The therapeutic effect of the use of cabbage juice can be increased if you add to it other equally valuable products in terms of the content of useful substances. These include:

• lemon juice;
• honey;
• chili pepper;
• berries.

With improper preparation or use of low-quality product, this drink can not only not have the expected therapeutic effect, but also an order of harm to health. For example, this can happen if the cabbage contains a lot of nitrates. Therefore, when choosing a vegetable, pay special attention to the leaves - a good cabbage should not have dark spots.This problem can be solved if you grow a vegetable yourself in your garden.

When gastritis with acidity increased cabbage juice should be drunk with caution, in small portions and diluted. In case of exacerbations of the condition, it should be completely abandoned.

Blistering, the causes of which may be excessive intake of concentrated cabbage juice, can cause significant harm to human health during rehabilitation after surgical procedures. For the same reason, doctors do not advise nursing cabbage juice to nursing mothers, because, otherwise, there is a big risk for the baby to have strong colic.

To achieve a more pronounced therapeutic effect from the use of cabbage juice is to take it per day in a volume of not less than 400 ml. This drink is well mixed with carrot juice, which, in turn, activates its adsorbing properties and supports the immune system. This vegetable mixture is well taken with gingivitis, SARS, sore throat.

The main rules for choosing cabbage are quite simple. The structure of the leaves must be elastic. It's not so difficult to check - you just need to squeeze them. There should be no extraneous odors. On the cut, the vegetable should have a rich white color. A good cabbage is one in which a head of cabbage weighs more than 1 kg.

This culture is stored no more than 5 months. This period may vary depending on the cabbage variety. At home, the optimal storage temperature is 0? C. At +4? With and above the vegetable sprouts.

Cabbage and in fresh and processed form is widely used to create the first dishes. This culture is harmoniously combined with the majority of products, with which its huge popularity among culinary specialists is connected.

It can be served boiled, fried or stewed. From this vegetable prepare cold appetizers, salads, hot and first courses, casseroles, side dishes. To the cabbage has not lost its natural color when cooking, for its preparation should use an enamel pan. The unpleasant smell that occurs during the cooking process will go away if you add a little wheat bread there or cover the pan with gauze dipped in vinegar.

Schi is the original dish of Russian cuisine, where cabbage is the main ingredient. Our ancestors had sometimes only soup, and they differed from their western neighbors in good health and longevity.

Vegetable is successfully combined with products that have in its composition starch, protein (meat, beans, mushrooms, etc.). In order to spend less time boiling or stewing, it should be chopped (chopped or grated).

Sour cabbage, while observing all the rules of preparation, saves up to 75% of vitamin C. Storage without brine will very soon lead to the complete loss of nutrients by this vegetable. And in general, the less manipulation the cook cooks with cabbage during cooking, the better.

Cabbage is one of the most popular ingredients in the summer salad. It is combined with legumes (peas, beans), with meat, vegetables, sausages, cheese. Cabbage - the main component in the preparation of traditional borscht.Any kind of dressing is suitable for this vegetable, however, when preparing light dietary dishes, it is better to stop using mayonnaise, replacing it with natural yogurt or vegetable oil.

When synchronized fermentation of chopped cabbage and whole cabbages, in the latter there are twice as many useful things. So supporters of healthy eating should ferment cabbage in the heads, without wasting time and effort on shredding.

Interesting fact. The famous traveler James Cook, who sailed for 3 years in the 18th century, took several dozen barrels of sauerkraut to his ship. Thanks to the most useful vegetable, which Cook and his team used for three years, they didn’t lose courage, kept their optimism, practically didn’t hurt, and passed the tests put to the sailors.

When cooking hot dishes, you should control the time spent on heat treatment of cabbage, so that this useful vegetable due to exposure to high temperatures does not lose its valuable properties. Often eaten fresh cabbage juice. However, rarely anyone will drink it in its pure form, without diluting it with other potions from vegetables, since this drink has a very specific taste.

About the benefits to the body of cabbage, see the following video.