It looks just like romaine lettuce but it’s actually a cabbage. However, unlike most other types of cabbage out there, its leaves and stems are more tender and taste sweeter, too. That’s napa cabbage! Since it originates from China, it is also known in many parts of the planet as “Chinese cabbage”.
Just like any other type of cabbage, napa cabbage is so versatile in the kitchen — it may be eaten raw or cooked. Either way, you are not going to have a hard time including it in your diet on a regular basis because, just like what’s mentioned earlier, its taste is kind of on the sweet side.
One of the most impressive things about napa cabbage is it’s a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, which means that it is related to the likes of broccoli, cauliflower, mustard greens and kale. Because of this, it only means that napa cabbage is very good at detoxifying the body, just like other cruciferous vegetables.
Raw, steamed, boiled, sautéed, stir-fried — no matter the case, it’s a wonderful idea to have napa cabbage included in your diet on a regular basis. If you do so, you will find it easier to stay in the pink of health. According to nutrition experts, napa cabbage offers the following benefits:
Strengthens Bones
There are a couple of reasons why napa cabbage is very good at strengthening the bones and thus keeping osteoporosis from striking. First, it’s a good source of calcium which, as everybody knows, is vital for toughening up the bones. Second, napa cabbage contains vitamin K which helps calcium stay in the bones, not in the blood.
Prevents Unnecessary Bleeding
Speaking of vitamin K, this nutrient found in abundant amounts in napa cabbage is important for proper clotting of the blood. Without vitamin K, it’s very much likely for you to bleed heavily and continuously. By the way, medical experts say that vitamin K is also good for preventing heart disease and cancer.
Lowers Blood Pressure
One of the many, many nutrients present in napa cabbage is potassium. Needless to say, the inclusion of this Chinese vegetable in the diet on a regular basis can help in keeping high blood pressure at bay. Maintaining a healthy and normal blood pressure is very helpful in keeping heart disease, heart attack and stroke away.
Removes Poisonous Substances
Because it is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables which are known as superb detoxifiers, napa cabbage can help neutralize poisonous substances in your body before they cause problems. There is another reason why napa cabbage is very good at eliminating toxins, and it will be discussed next.
Wards Off Constipation
Since napa cabbage is a leafy vegetable, it is a very good source of fiber. Consuming it regularly helps make the emptying of the bowels regular, and this is a good thing — the poisonous by-products of digestion are constantly flushed out of the body. By the way, fiber also helps lower risk of hemorrhoids and colon cancer.
Lowers Risk of Deadly Cancer
Speaking of which, napa cabbage’s consumption on a regular basis may help reduce a person’s risk of having cancer, say scientists. It’s for the reason that this cruciferous vegetable contains glucosinolates. Once inside the body, glucosinolates are transformed into molecules that hunt down and kill off cancer cells.
