This Vegetable Contains a Rare Essential Nutrient and Should Be on Your List
This vegetable has amazing properties for healing various diseases, yet it is not commonly found in Israeli kitchens. We hope after this article, you'll start incorporating it regularly.
In the world, it has been known for years and is considered the 'king' in Asian cuisine due to its many healing properties.
However, in Israeli kitchens, it is less known and purchased. Once discovered, it becomes indispensable: Meet the Chinese cabbage. Dozens of types exist globally, but in Israel, two main types are sold: Peking and Bok Choy.
Why do you want this vegetable on your next grocery list? Here are some health benefits you can't ignore:
- Chinese cabbage contains an amazing and rare compound for the human body called lysine. In fact, in most vegetables on your list, it is absent, or if present, in much lower levels.
Lysine is crucial for dissolving 'bad' proteins in the blood, which the body identifies as foreign.
Another property of lysine is that the body loves it in the digestive system because it contains a lot of dietary fiber and has low-caloric and glycemic values.
- Chinese cabbage aids metabolic processes, purifies the intestines from waste, and prevents intestinal diseases.
- It cleanses blood vessels and stimulates blood circulation.
- Research has shown that regular consumption of various types of Chinese cabbage significantly reduces the risk of cancer and diabetes.
- The main advantage of Chinese cabbage is its composition - the combination of a high level of lysine with various amino acids increases the body's immunity and resistance to different diseases.
The Chinese and Japanese, who combine many research-based plants in their cuisine, have made this cabbage a staple because it "prolongs life" according to Chinese doctors who studied it.
Where can you integrate Chinese cabbage? In soups, salads, and even stuffed dishes.
Chinese Cabbage and Weight Loss
Since Chinese cabbage contains only 2 grams of carbohydrates, many dietitians recommend including it in diet plans, but that's not all. 100 grams of Chinese cabbage contains 95 mg of ascorbic acid and Vitamin C, making it a great immune booster while generally maintaining various body systems.
This vegetable also has a high level of B vitamins (specifically B1 and B2) responsible for preventing hair loss, strengthening nails, and maintaining youthful and healthy skin appearance. This vitamin family also greatly contributes to the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.
What Are the Disadvantages and Who Should Avoid It?
In any case of doubt, we always recommend consulting a professional, but if you are completely healthy and not suffering from intestinal diseases - you can consume it in moderation.
If you suffer from irritable bowels and a sensitive digestive system, we recommend not overindulging, though it can be consumed moderately (e.g., as a soup addition you eat every few weeks).
If you have a specific disease and are 'relying' on it as a primary diet component, it's better to consult a nutritionist.
