What is useful red cabbage

Red cabbage is considered a variety of white cabbage. Nevertheless, there are quite significant differences. It is much tougher due to the denser structure of plant fibers, the color of its leaves gives the presence of anthocyanins. The high content of vitamins and minerals is important for maintaining health, dishes from it add variety to the menu, are widely used in diet food.

Features of red cabbage

A two-year-old plant gives a nice head of cabbage for the first year, and seeds for the second. Getting them yourself is simple, but rarely will anyone do it. On the shelves of shops there is a large selection of varieties and hybrids, there are a lot of seeds in a bag, and growing a red-headed beauty is quite simple. It is unpretentious to the composition of the soil and growing conditions, pests are not attracted to it because of the specific smell. In addition, hybrid species do not provide stable characteristics for the next year with the independent collection of planting material.

Varieties with mid-ripening and late ripening periods from 110 to 160 days prevail. The plant prefers bright, well-heated beds and plentiful watering. Bred by European breeders in the 16th century. It came to Russia 2 centuries later. I gained loyal supporters who appreciate it for its unusual color and a wide range of useful substances.

Composition and benefits

According to the list of vitamins and minerals, red cabbage is closer to cauliflower than to white cabbage. The composition includes almost the entire line of vitamins B, as well as:

• biotin;
• magnesium;
• phosphorus;
• potassium;
• zinc;
• anthocyanins;
• volatile;
• cellulose;
• indole;
• vitamins A, C, E, PP, K;
• lactic acid;
• glucosinolates.

The regular use of red cabbage salads, first and second courses strengthens blood vessels and supports their elasticity, speeds up metabolism and stimulates cell renewal. In cabbage leaves of an unusual color, there is energy and magnesium necessary for the nervous system, which gives a stabilizing effect, preventing the development of stress and depressive states. Cabbage salad has a positive effect on the formation of red blood cells, hemoglobin level, iron digestibility and support for visual acuity. At the risk of developing oncology, it is recommended to include a vegetable in the diet at least 3 times a week.

Important: fresh red cabbage prevents salt deposits.

A feature of the plant is the selective effect on the body, depending on gender and age.

Useful properties for men

Potassium and other minerals reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, cleanse blood vessels, stabilize cholesterol, improve memory and blood supply to the brain, and strengthen the heart muscle. The substances contained in purple cabbage prevent the development of cancerous tumors, oncology of the genitourinary system, increase the viability of sperm, have a general tonic effect on the body, increase endurance and performance.

Benefits for women

The female body is often subjected to increased stress.To endurance and resistance to unforeseen circumstances, sharp hormonal changes in the periods of growing up, pregnancy, menopause are applied. Red cabbage will help to adequately get out of difficult situations and maintain good health.

The substances contained in cabbage stop the growth of tumors, prevent the transformation of cells into cancerous ones, supply the body with a list of trace elements and vitamins.

The optimal combination of calcium and vitamin K successfully resist the development of osteoporosis, maintaining bone density and preventing the leaching of valuable elements from the body. The myth that cabbage prolongs youth has a very tangible foundation. Vitamins A and E maintain skin elasticity, slowing down the aging process and their external manifestation.

During menopause, the presence of indole in the plant, which is a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects, is of particular importance.

In childbearing age, a salad of fresh purple leaves with the addition of carrots and apples will increase the chances of conception, saturate the body with the necessary substances and reserves for the proper formation of the nervous system of the unborn baby, its bone and muscle tissue. It will also save tooth enamel, nails and hair of a pregnant woman, strengthen immunity, improve skin condition, and increase hemoglobin counts.

It is worth considering: B vitamins act soothingly, reduce the tone of the uterus, reducing the risk of spontaneous abortion. The decongestant properties of the vegetable are also important.

Useful properties for children

Toddlers and adolescents need a varied diet. Often children begin to act up, not wanting to eat healthy, but not very tasty vegetables. From red cabbage, you can cook elegant and unusual dishes of interest. For example, if you add finely chopped chicken egg protein, then after a few minutes it will acquire a saturated blue color, which is quite unexpected for a child and will cause you to taste this mixture.

The benefit for the child's body is a high content of vitamin C, which increases the resistance to colds and viral diseases. The presence of retinol supports and strengthens vision, vitamin K prevents rickets and strengthens bone tissue. Freshly squeezed cabbage juice improves memory, attention, increases stress resistance during exams, and relieves fatigue.

General health effects

Regardless of age and gender, red cabbage is recommended for use for:

• prevention of cardiovascular diseases, vitamin deficiency, obesity;
• normalization of the digestive system;
• restoration of intestinal microflora;
• increase immunity and performance;
• relieving depression and chronic fatigue syndrome;
• replenishment of the body with vitamins and minerals.

Please note: the greatest benefit is the use of the product fresh.

Limitations and contraindications

Red cabbage is a hypoallergenic product. Individual intolerance is very rare. Nevertheless, it can cause a complete rejection of the product. Caution should be taken with a vegetable with severe flatulence and bloating, pancreatitis, during an exacerbation of stomach diseases, hypertension.

In stew, the product's activity is reduced, as are the restrictions on introducing it into the daily menu.

Dietary Benefits

The low calorie content of the vegetable makes it popular in weight loss and control programs. A moderate diuretic effect helps to get rid of excess water in the body, facilitating the process of weight loss.

Coarse fiber provokes rapid saturation, normalizes intestinal function, activates peristalsis, and accelerates metabolism.Several diets based on purple cabbage have been developed, but do not forget about the general rules.

1. Mono-diet is detrimental to health, there must be a variety of products and the intake of nutrients in full.
2. Vegetable in the form of salads is more useful, heat treatment several times reduces the content of nutrients. But stewed and steamed dishes are more easily absorbed by the body.
3. Dressing a salad with vegetable oil enhances its cleansing properties.
4. It is recommended to include the product in the diet at least 4 times a week.
5. Beets, cranberries, radishes and red apples reduce the beneficial effects of cabbage, so you should not mix them in one dish.

Recipes

A delicious and varied diet will supply the body with the necessary substances and bring pleasure to the taste. The main thing is to reduce cooking time to a minimum so as not to destroy beneficial compounds.

Dates and Feta
The sweet, pungent spicy taste of the salad arouses appetite and quickly quenches hunger, low calorie content, and is prepared in a few minutes. Ingredients:

• tender cabbage leaves;
• feta;
• dates;
• fried sesame seeds;
• parsley;
• spice;
• lemon juice.

Olive oil is used as a dressing. Shredded leaves are slightly washed out with hands, add peeled and coarsely chopped dates, feta, sprinkle with spices, sprinkle with lemon or lime juice and season with oil. Sprinkle with sesame seeds on top.

Czech Braised Cabbage
It has a mild taste, a simple recipe for cooking, has almost no contraindications, except for individual intolerance and childhood up to 2 years. Great as a side dish. For cooking, in addition to the main ingredient, you will need:

• bow;
• prunes
• lemon;
• honey;
• caraway;
• olive oil;
• green or yellow apple.

Pickled cabbage for the winter
If the crop is successful, the main part is cleaned in the cellar and the taste of the product is a little boring, it is recommended to pay attention to this simple but very original recipe. The highlight will be the color of the finished product, as well as the preservation of most of the nutrients. The difference from the classical method of preparation is the addition of cloves and apple cider vinegar. The remaining ingredients are the same as when pickled white-headed type:

• 30 gr. salt and sugar;
• pepper;
• garlic;
• Bay leaf.

Grated cabbage with salt should be tightly packed in jars, add pepper, garlic and immediately pour in 1 tsp of acetic acid. Marinade is made from water, sugar, salt. Marinade-filled cans are sterilized for 15 minutes and hermetically sealed.

Red cabbage is unusual in appearance and very valuable in composition. With a small fraction of imagination, you can cook a lot of tasty and healthy dishes from it.

Video: the benefits of red cabbage