91 Cabbage Facts: Cultivation, Benefits, Types And More

Cabbage is good for the digestive tract; eat fiber-rich cabbage for a healthy digestive system.

A red cabbage as heavy as 69.6 lb (31.6 kg) was grown by Neil Hands in the UK, and it was the heaviest red cabbage ever. A world record was broken at The Grow Show with this cabbage.

The amount of antioxidants present in red cabbage, particularly anthocyanins, makes cabbage beneficial to your health. These antioxidants help prevent many diseases and keep your body healthy. While it looks like lettuce, a cabbage is a plant in the Brassica family of vegetables.

Cabbage is bad for some people. People with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) often have trouble digesting it. Fructan is a type of carb that cabbage contains.

Even with low intakes of cabbage, people with IBS can experience symptoms such as bloating and gas. It also contains raffinose, an indigestible sugar.

Cabbage contains high levels of riboflavin. Riboflavin is a type of complex carbohydrate that passes through your intestines undigested and may lead to flatulence. After eating cabbage, flatulence may be accompanied by other symptoms such as bloating, stomach discomfort, and belching.

If you have liked the article so far, please read our other articles on kale nutrition facts and bean plant facts here on Kidadl.

Fun Facts About Cabbage

Cabbage is a member of the Cruciferae family, whose name means 'cross' because the flowers have a cross-like shape. Despite cabbage's 4,000-year-old history, Brussels sprouts, which are part of the cabbage family, are the newest crop, dating back less than 500 years.

Cabbage is Russia's national dish. Russians consume more than seven times as much cabbage as North Americans do.

Cabbage is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and potassium. Ancient Chinese people believed that cabbage was a miracle cure for baldness in men.

China produces the largest output of cabbage in the world. The largest cabbage dish, weighing more than 1,200 lb (544 kg), was made with 80,191 cabbage rolls in Prilep, Macedonia on 19 December 2008. It was the largest cabbage dish ever.

When applied externally, cabbage effectively speeds up the healing process of wounds that are slow to heal. Therefore, fresh cabbage leaf compresses are particularly effective on wounds that are slow to heal. Cabbage juice is full of lactic acid which reduces headaches.

Brussels sprouts were named after the Belgian capital, where they became popular in the 16th century. The Savoy cabbage originated in England and the Netherlands but was introduced to Germany in the 18th century under 'Savoyer Kohl.' The variety receives its name from the Savoy region in France.

Health Benefits Of Cabbage

Eating cabbage is good for your health. There is no doubt that cabbage is a super healthy food.

The nutrients in cabbage are impressive. Just one cup of raw green crushed cabbage helps provide magnesium, folate, protein, vitamin B6, fiber, manganese, vitamin K, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. Cabbage is also an excellent source of fiber, and it contains powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols and sulfur compounds.

It contains a small amount of vitamin A, iron, and riboflavin too.

The vitamin C in cabbage is especially abundant, protecting against blindness, heart disease, and cancer. Cabbage is important for maintaining a healthy immune system.

A fiber-rich cabbage diet can improve your digestive health. This crunchy veggie bursts with insoluble fiber, which the body can't digest. Insoluble fiber keeps the digestive system healthy by promoting regular bowel movements and adding bulk to stools.

Red cabbage is known to be a great source of potassium, which the body uses to maintain normal blood pressure, and it also works to neutralize the effects of sodium on the body. Cabbage contains substances that have decreased unhealthy cholesterol levels, namely soluble fiber and plant sterols.

Red cabbage, which also goes by the name purple cabbage, is similar to green cabbage in taste and appearance.

Purple cabbage contains several health benefits for bones, including vitamin K and vitamin C, manganese, calcium, and zinc. It has been suggested that fermented versions of cabbage juice may also benefit gut health.

Sauerkraut juice, a fermented cabbage product, has been shown to contain probiotics, which are recognized for their gut health benefits. Drinking raw cabbage juice has been linked to many health benefits, including weight loss and normal nervous system function since it is loaded with vitamins C and K.

Cabbage's Growing Conditions

It is possible to grow cabbage in various soil types, including sandy loam and clay. All your cabbage plants need is healthy soil full of organic matter with good drainage.

Cabbage is most productive in areas that have a long, cool growing season with temperatures between 45-75 F (7-24 C). Cabbage can withstand frost and temperatures as low as 20 F (-6.70 C).

For proper growth, cabbages need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. Whether you plan your planting schedule for a hot or cool climate, cabbage will thrive.

Row covers provide an effective barrier against cabbage butterflies and similar pests. It would be best not to plant the following plants near cabbage: tomatoes, strawberries, mustard plants, and grapes.

Watering once a week will produce a leafy head of cabbage. Cabbage won't tolerate soggy soil, but it needs consistent moisture to grow. A balanced organic fertilizer must be given to cabbage plants at least once a week. Cabbage is a heavy feeder, so it requires regular doses of fertilizer.

Different Types Of Cabbage

You can find cabbage in various types, such as green, Savoy, red, Napa, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts. The leaves of green cabbage are pale green, and this leafy green vegetable grows in tight clusters. Leafy green cabbage is used in salads, stir-fries, or cooked in other ways.

Curly cabbage or Savoy cabbage have lacy, ruffled, deeply ridged cabbage leaves, making Savoy cabbages the prettiest cabbage. The leaves are more loosely layered and less tightly packed than leaves of red or green cabbage.

In terms of appearance, red cabbage looks just like green cabbage, but it is red or magenta colored. There are more tightly packed, moist leaves on red cabbage heads than on green cabbages. The taste of raw red cabbage is slightly peppery, and it becomes sweeter when cooked.

Chinese cabbage or celery cabbage are other names for napa cabbage. Napa cabbages have long, light green cabbage leaves, and their stalks are white with thick leaves. The flavor of napa is mild and slightly sweet, and it has a less intense aroma.

Leaves of the bok choy cabbage have a distinct shape, and grow from a central stalk. This vegetable resembles Swiss chard quite a bit, but with light green leaves and white stalks.

Despite its mild flavor, it has a strong cabbage flavor. There is a slightly bitter mineral taste to bok choy's greens. There is a lot of water in the white stalk, and it is crunchy and juicy at the same time.

Brussels sprouts are a type of cabbage that is tiny and is typically sold loose. A Brussels sprout's taste depends on how it is cooked, and many people mistakenly believe Brussels sprouts are bitter. When properly prepared, Brussels sprouts can be smoky, sweet, crunchy, and nutty.

About 78% of the nation's cabbage is cultivated in five states: Florida, Wisconsin, California, Texas, and New York.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 91 cabbage facts then why not take a look at cacao plant facts or coffee plant facts.