Cabbage: Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Cabbage: Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Cabbage is a leafy green, red, or white biennial vegetable that is grown annually. This
cruciferous vegetable belongs to the Brassica family and is round or oval in shape. It consists
of soft, light green or whitish inner leaves covered with harder and dark green outer leaves. It
is widely used throughout the world, given its health benefits, and can be prepared in a
number of ways. Most commonly, it is included as either a cooked or raw part of many
salads. Cabbage belongs to the group of cole crops, which means that it is closely related
to broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.
After 5 minutes of Cutting / chopping the cabbage, sufur containing molecules are
converted into glucosinolates by the enzyme myrosinase. Sulphur containing thiols molecules
formed when cabbage is cooked.
Method of cooking:
5 minutes: steam,boil,sautey.
PHYTOCHEMICALS
Anti-inflammatory Agent
The essential amino acid tryptophan is another nutrient also found in cruciferous
vegetables which shows anti-inflammatory activities. Tryptophan is metabolized by
the microbiota, e.g. Lactobacilli, to indole-3-aldehyde, another AhR agonist. This
interaction is accompanied by induction of IL-22, which affected the microbiota,
providing resistance to colonization by Candida albicans and protecting the mucosa
against inflammation.
Anti carcinogenic
Helps the body retain water and it maintains the bulkiness of the food as it moves
through the bowels. fiber, present in cabbage, helps bulk up the bowel movements
and treat constipation.
Cruciferous vegetables contain large amounts of various indole derivatives and are
able via these components to activate aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR). Activation
of these intracellular receptors results in potent intestinal immune modulation
including regulation and maintenance of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes
and innate lymphoid cells, induction of the key barrier cytokine interleukin-22 and
manipulation of the intestinal microbiota. Lack of AhR is associated with an
impaired barrier function and increased intestinal vulnerability suggesting that the
continuous presence of dietary AhR ligands may be of importance throughout life.
Sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate compound of cruciferous vegetables, also exerts
mainly anti-inflammatory properties on immune processes. Therefore, evidence is
accumulating that certain food components are healthy by targeting intestinal
immune responses and reshaping the microbiota.
Cabbage has a rare compound called 3, 3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), which has been shown
to counteract some of the negative effects associated with radiation therapy. It helps in
ensuring that the red and white blood cells and the platelet count remain existent, which
is often not the case during radiation therapy. Therefore, DIM is also favoured for use during
cancer treatment in order to protect healthy tissue.
Boosts Immunity
Due to the high vitamin C content of cabbage, it helps in boosting the immune system and
fighting off free radicals.
Weight Loss
Cabbage is frequently recommended for people who want to lose weight in a healthy way.
Since cabbage is packed with many beneficial vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients,
including water and fiber, it is a healthy dietary option for people looking to eat healthier and
shedding pounds.
Prevents Cataract
Cabbage is a rich source of beta-carotene, so many people, particularly as they get older, turn
to cabbage for its ability to prevent macular degeneration and promote good eye health and
delay cataract formation.
The presence of vitamin K and anthocyanins within cabbage can give a strong boost
to mental function and concentration. Vitamin K is essential for the production of
sphingolipids, the myelin sheath around some nerves cells. This wrapping is what
protects the nerves from damage and decay. Therefore, consuming vitamin K
containing foods can improve your defense against neural degeneration.
Improves Bones
Cabbage, is great sources of minerals, like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These
three essential minerals are integral in the protection of bones from degradation and the onset
of conditions like osteoporosis and general bone weakening.
Also, the presence of potassium in cabbage also makes it a wonderful way to protect yourself
from elevated blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Potassium is
a vasodilator, which means that it opens up the blood vessels and eases the flow of blood, so
it isn’t being forced in a stress-inducing way through constricted arteries and veins.
Speeds-up Healing.
Cabbage is rich in sulfur, which is a very useful nutrient as it fights infections. A deficiency
of sulfur can result in microbial infections and a greatly reduced healing speed. It also
reduces the frequency and severity of ulcers.
Other benefits
Cabbage can also be used for the treatment of varicose veins, leg ulcers, and peptic
and duodenal ulcers.
RED CABBAGE
Red cabbage specifically has a number of anti-cancer compounds like lupeol, sinigrin, and
sulforaphane (glucosinolates derived isothiocyanate), which are known to stimulate enzyme
activity and inhibit the growth of tumors that lead to cancer.
Side effects:
Moisture 91.9 g
Protein 1.8 g
Fat 0.1 g
Minerals 0.6 g
Carbohydrates 4.6 g
Energy 27 kcal
Calcium 39 mg
Phosphorous 44 mg
Iron 0.8 mg
Magnesium 31 mg
Sodium -
Potassium -
Copper 0.02 mg
Manganese 0.18 mg
Zinc 0.30 mg
Chromium 0.005 mg
Molybdenum 0.078 mg
Carotene 120 micro gram
Thiamine 0.06 mg
Riboflavin 0.09 mg
Niacin 0.4 mg
Folic acid ,
Free 13.3 micro gm
Total 23 microgram
Vitamin C 124 mg
Choline 120 mg
Tyrosine 120 mg
Methionine 60 mg
Cysteine 70 mg
Threonine 220 mg
Leucine 340 mg
Isoleucine 230 mg
Valine 260 mg
Arginine 450 mg
Histidine 130 mg
Lysine 240 mg
Tryptophane 70 mg
Phenylalanine 200 mg
Oxalic acid 3 mg
Phytin 3 mg
Fibre
TDF 2.8 g
IDF 2.0 g
SDF 0.8 g
Calorie 24
Trans Fat 0
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 18mg
Sugars 3.58g
Protein 1.44g
Vitamin D -
Calcium 47mg
Iron 0.59mg
Potassium 246mg
Vitamin A 171 IU
Vitamin C 32.2mg
Calories 42
Trans Fat -
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.886g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 276mg
Sugars 2.81g
Protein 0.99g
Vitamin D -
Calcium 30mg
Iron 0.17mg
Potassium 94mg
Vitamin A 243IU
Vitamin C 19.4mg
Potential toxicological aspects of cruciferous vegetables
Some earlier experimental studies have suggested that indole derivatives might exert
detrimental effects including promotion of tumour development. High doses of I3C, probably
never achieved after consumption in humans, exhibit a dose-dependent toxicity including a
decrease in hepatic reduced glutathione and severe neurological toxicity in mice . In another
study, I3C after administration over 52 weeks showed a tendency for an increase of liver
adenomas in rats after challenge with diethylnitrosamine and thyroid gland tumour incidence
was increased significantly. Indole derivatives promoted at high dietary levels aflatoxin B1—
initiated hepatocarcinogenesis in rainbow trouts, an effect which was explained by the
authors by the observed increase in estrogenic activities and induction of P450 isoenzymes .
Another study showed that I3C-treated rats developed fewer mammary adenocarcinomas but
with a greater average weight per tumour per rat suggesting again that I3C might negatively
affect tumour growth . I3C has also been shown to upregulate genes associated with signaling
pathways for cell growth and proliferation suggesting that at least in this model I3C might
result in a toxigenomic profile .