10 Incredible Napa Cabbage Health Benefits

Delicious Napa cabbage was originally cultivated in Asian countries, so it’s sometimes referred to as Chinese cabbage. We know it better as Napa cabbage, and we also know its name is a form of the Japanese word for vegetable leaves.

Napa cabbage health benefits give the leafy vegetable a very nutritious profile. Its subtle, sweet flavor makes the cabbage a favorite in home and restaurant kitchens. This is a vegetable that brings it all to the table with great taste.

10 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT NAPA CABBAGE NUTRITION

With only 20 calories per cup and no cholesterol, Napa cabbage boasts a long list of vitamins and minerals. Depending on how Napa cabbage is cooked, its nutritional numbers stay strong.

The next time you enjoy it raw, pickled or steamed, make the experience even better. Think about all the high DVs of essential nutrients in 1 cup of napa cabbage.

1. VITAMIN B9

Napa cabbage contains high levels of vitamin B9. Just 1 cup delivers 11.75% DV of this important folate. One healthy serving of napa cabbage has a positive effect on your heart, circulatory system and red blood cells.

2. ADDITIONAL B VITAMINS

The list of napa cabbage benefits includes an impressive lineup of additional nutrients. Every serving is an opportunity to boost your health with these complex B vitamins.

• Riboflavin
• Pantothenic acid
• Thiamin

3. VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for maintaining good health. Napa cabbage is a great source for this antioxidant that improves iron absorption and helps prevent iron deficiencies. Vitamin C also boosts immunity by encouraging white blood cell production.

4. VITAMIN K

Strong bones and healthy blood calcium levels are just a few of the benefits delivered by the vitamin K in napa cabbage. The nutrient is essential to producing prothrombin, a protein necessary for healthy bone metabolism.

5. COPPER

One cup of copper-rich napa cabbage serves up 11.67% DV of this brain-friendly mineral. Copper keeps neural pathways in top shape, facilitates nerve development and enhances high-level mental activities.

6. IRON

Weighing in with an iron DV of 10.13%, napa cabbage is an excellent source of the mineral. It keeps red blood cells healthy so that they can do their job delivering oxygen throughout your body.

7. CALCIUM

Every cup of napa cabbage provides 8% DV of calcium. The mineral keeps bones and muscles strong. Bodies don’t naturally produce calcium, so the cabbage plays a vital role in replenishing this essential mineral.

8. MANGANESE

Manganese is a another mineral found in napa cabbage, and it’s also one of the body’s most important antioxidants. A 1-cup serving of napa cabbage recharges your system with 9.61% DV of manganese that helps protect against dangerous free radicals and cellular damage.

9. ADDITIONAL ANTIOXIDANTS

In addition to manganese, napa cabbage is packed with extra antioxidants. These plant compounds are believed to reduce levels of bad cholesterol and protect the body against cancer.

• Isothiocyanates
• Lutein
• Sulforaphane
• Thiocyanates
• Zeaxanthin

10. DIETARY FIBER

Napa cabbage is a great source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Both are essential for maintaining digestive health. Together, the nutrients help lower cholesterol levels and stabilize blood sugar.