Chinese cabbage or bok choy, also known scientifically as Brassica rapa pekinensis, is a variety within cabbage that belongs to the cruciferous plant family and is widespread in Asian countries, although it is grown in different regions of the world. Also known as Chinese cabbage, this vegetable, in addition to being consumed as a vegetable in different meals, especially in fermented products, also stands out for being a natural and medicinal remedy for different conditions.
If you want to know what are the medicinal properties of Chinese cabbage, we invite you to continue reading this article of, in which we will explain the different benefits for our health of this famous vegetable.
Chinese cabbage has anti-cancer properties
Chinese cabbage is a vegetable with a great richness in sulfur compounds that are called glucosinolates, precursors of the substance indole-3-carbinol, which has powerful anticancer properties.
Thanks to the richness in different glucosinolates, Chinese cabbage helps protect the body from different types of cancer, such as lung cancer and colon cancer. In addition, they also favor the regulation of estrogen, so it helps prevent breast cancer.
Chinese cabbage helps treat heart disease
Bok choy also helps to improve various cardiovascular problems due to its richness in nutrients such as omega 3 fatty acids, folic acid, pyridoxine and amino acids such as gamma-aminobutyrate. All this provides good properties to take care of the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system. So, these are the benefits of Chinese cabbage for the heart:
- It helps reduce the levels of bad cholesterol and, consequently, favors blood circulation.
- It decreases the high levels of homocysteine in the blood, which are compounds related to the appearance of thrombi and, in addition, increase the chances of suffering a cardiovascular accident.
- Its richness in amino acids helps to reduce and prevent hypertension or high blood pressure.
Chinese cabbage is a natural eye treatment
This vegetable also has a high content of beta-carotene or provitamin A. The high level of this nutrient in its composition, gives bok choy medicinal properties for vision that help protect the capillaries from sight.
In addition, this richness in provitamin A also helps prevent some vision problems, such as night blindness and the appearance of cataracts.
Bok choy regulates blood sugar levels
This vegetable is a very beneficial food for those who suffer from diseases such as diabetes. Cabbage is rich in antioxidants, fiber and has very low levels of carbohydrates and fats, which gives it properties that help regulate blood glucose naturally.
In addition, it also reduces some symptoms of this disease, such as complications that can occur in vision. As we have seen before, Chinese cabbage is rich in beta-carotene, very beneficial nutrients for our eyes.
Chinese cabbage reduces intestinal inflammation
Another of the healing properties of Chinese cabbage is to reduce intestinal inflammation and prevent some diseases related to this condition, all thanks to the richness in essential nutrients for health such as vitamin C and the presence of beta-carotene.
Thanks to them, Chinese cabbage has anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent some conditions in the intestine, such as diverticulosis.
Chinese cabbage is a natural diuretic
Chinese cabbage has great richness in fiber, water and antioxidants, nutrients that help us naturally eliminate liquids and toxins retained in our body. This diuretic action makes it a very effective treatment for some disorders, such as in cases of a high concentration of uric acid (hyperuricemia) and rheumatic diseases, such as arthritis and rheumatism.
To enjoy this purifying property, you will have to take it in a decoction for several days or add it in some meals, such as soups or boiled.
Chinese cabbage helps you lose weight in a healthy way
Finally, Chinese cabbage turns out to be an ideal food to include in those diets aimed at losing weight and for people suffering from obesity. Its low-fat composition and its high content of antioxidants and vitamins, help reduce free radicals that are formed within the body when we are losing weight. In addition, it is also rich in fiber, a nutrient with satiating properties that help us reduce our appetite and, therefore, eat smaller amounts of food. Also, as we have mentioned before, Chinese cabbage is very diuretic and, therefore, good to help lose weight naturally and healthily.
