Cabbage is anything but ordinary, from vitamin C to Ancient Greece.
Cabbage, a seemingly innocuous vegetable that serves a supporting role in various cuisines, has a fascinating history. To begin, it is one of the oldest vegetables known to man. It was adorned thousands of years ago by the people of Ancient Rome and Greece, who utilized it for therapeutic purposes. Cabbage is also known in the health community for being a delicious, whole-food jam-packed with vitamins and nutrients.
If you believed cabbage was just used in coleslaw, you were mistaken. Here are seven fun facts about cabbage that you probably didn't know.
1. Cabbage has a long history, dating back over 4,000 years.
Even though cabbage appears in various everyday recipes (cabbage "steaks," anyone?), it has origins that go back thousands of years. Green cabbage is one of the oldest known vegetables, according to an article from The University of Arizona's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It is thought to have originated 4,000 years ago in Southern Europe, England, and Denmark. Wild cabbage was brought to Europe by Celtic nomads circa 600 B.C., according to legend. The cruciferous vegetable was revered by ancient Greeks and Romans, who praised its medicinal therapeutic virtues.
2. All Kinds of Cabbage is rich in vitamin C.
It doesn't matter which type of cabbage you want to eat because they're all high in vitamin C. According to studies, a half cup of cabbage has about 45 percent of the daily vitamin C need. Vitamin C is well-known for its healing properties, including the prevention of cancer and reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
3. A cup of cabbage contains about 20 calories.
Cabbage has a strong flavor and aroma yet is low in calories. A cup of sliced cabbage, for example, contains only 22 calories, making this easy-to-eat vegetable ideal for calorie-conscious people. Cabbage is a fantastic item for carb-heavy products like pasta, bread, and rice because of its low-calorie content. Hamburger buns, for example, can be replaced with salted cabbage leaves, and shredded cabbage can be used in place of noodles in meals like spaghetti Bolognese and Pad Thai.
4. Red cabbage is healthier than green cabbage.
Even though all forms of cabbage are high in vitamins and nutrients, the red variety may be the healthiest. Red cabbage, for example, is high in anthocyanins, a flavonoid that contributes to the colored color of the vegetable. Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancer characteristics of anthocyanins aid in disease prevention.
5. Red cabbage may be a pH indicator.
Red cabbage, the crunchy vegetable seen in salads and heaped into fish tacos, may be able to add a new job to its resume: pH indicator. According to scientific research, red cabbage's anthocyanins change color depending on how acidic it comes into touch with. When red cabbage juice is mixed with something sour (pH level less than 7), it turns red, and when it is combined with something alkaline (pH level greater than 7), it turns bluish-green. Dr Greger, a well-known health expert, goes into greater detail in his book "How Not to Die" and on his Nutrition Facts website.
6. Napa cabbage is a high-fiber food.
Napa cabbage, a crunchy, green vegetable commonly used in soups and stir-fries, is high in both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, both of which have numerous health advantages. Soluble fiber, for example, may cut cholesterol and minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease, whereas insoluble fiber can help you stay regular. Both types of fiber work hard to prevent problems like diabetes and can help you feel fuller for longer.
7. A well-known baseball player wore a cabbage leaf under his ball cap.
Babe Ruth, a legendary baseball player, was known not just for his remarkable sports achievements but also for his unusual practice of wearing a cooled cabbage leaf under his ball cap during games. He would peel off a couple of cabbage leaves, spread them out on the ice, and then stick them onto his head after they were excellent. During those hot summer months spent playing ball in a wool uniform, he discovered that these leaves kept him calm. Hey, if it worked for the Babe, maybe it'll work in the middle of July on the metro!