Nutrition and precautions with cabbage
Cabbage is not suitable for everyone.
Nutritional components mentioned
According to modern medical research, cabbage provides many of the nutrients a person needs daily for activity, growth, and enhanced immunity. The nutritional components and vitamin content in cabbage are 4.5 times higher than in carrots and 3.6 times higher than in potatoes. In addition, vitamins A and P in cabbage work together to make blood vessel walls more resilient.
Notably, cabbage also contains anti-cancer compounds such as sulforaphane, phenethyl isothiocyanate, and indole-3-carbinol, which are very beneficial to health.
Notes on thyroid health and cold constitution
However, cabbage contains goitrin—a substance that has antioxidant effects but can cause goiters. Therefore, health experts recommend that people with thyroid disorders or goiters avoid eating cabbage.
Furthermore, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, cabbage has cold properties. Therefore, those who are frail, have cold hands and feet, or suffer from cold-related conditions should not eat cabbage as it may worsen the illness. If you still wish to eat cabbage, you can add a piece of crushed ginger when boiling it to help neutralize some of the cold properties in the cabbage.
Use caution with kidney disease or digestive disorders
People with severe kidney failure should also avoid eating cabbage, as it contains a relatively high amount of oxalic acid. When consumed in excess, this oxalic acid can bind with essential nutrients in the body such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium to form oxalate salts, which can deposit in the kidneys and increase the risk of kidney stone formation.
In addition, the advantage of cabbage is that it is rich in fiber, which supports laxation and prevents constipation... However, people experiencing diarrhea may worsen their condition and make it harder to treat if they consume a large amount of this vegetable.
In addition, cabbage is prone to producing gas and can cause bloating if eaten raw; therefore, people with stomach pain or those who frequently experience bloating and flatulence should limit raw cabbage and consume it cooked instead.