There are so many health benefits associated with cooked Napa cabbage but, can you eat it raw? Below we discuss if this is possible including the potential health benefits derived from this amazing vegetable.
Contents
What Is Napa Cabbage?
Napa cabbage is a type of Chinese cabbage that belongs to the brassica family. It has pale green leaves and at first glance looks a bit long headed like bok choy. Napa cabbage is often eaten raw in salads and slaws but it can also be cooked. This type of Chinese cabbage is a very popular ingredient in Asian cuisines however, Western chefs have started incorporating it in their dishes because of its flavor and versatility. Napa cabbage has the ability to absorb flavors of whatever it is added to without losing its crunchy texture.
Can You Eat Napa Cabbage Raw
Yes you can eat Napa cabbage raw and one of the best ways to do it is to add it to a salad or a slaw. Make sure you use a good salad dressing or vinaigrette so that you can you can really enjoy the flavors of your Napa cabbage.
Nutrition And Health Benefits Of Napa Cabbage
Rich In Antioxidants
One of the nutritional benefits of consuming raw Napa cabbage is that it filled with antioxidants like sulforaphane and isothiocyanates. These antioxidants help to protect the body against diseases caused by oxidation.
Helps To Strengthen Bones
Another health benefit of consuming Napa cabbage is that it helps to strengthen bones. This is because it contains vitamin K which is an essential vitamin needed by the bones. Vitamin K also helps to prevent blood clots. Therefore, if you are looking to develop strong bones you should consider adding Napa cabbage to your diet. You can consume it as a salad or in a soup or stir fry.
Aids Digestion
Napa cabbage contains soluble and insoluble fiber which are known to aid with digestion. If you are someone who usually struggles with constipation problems then its best you consider adding Napa cabbage to your diet.
Helps To Improve Heart Health
Eating raw or cooked Napa cabbage helps to improve your heart health. This is mainly because Napa cabbage contains anthocyanins which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and they also reduce cholesterol levels which in turn improves heart health. When Napa cabbage is consumed regularly there is a huge chance that your heart health will improve drastically. So you can either eat Napa cabbage raw or cook it if you want to add it to your diet.
Helps With Weight Loss
Another health benefit of consuming Napa cabbage regularly is that it aids with weight loss. This is because it is very low in calories and high in fiber. This means that if you consume it regularly in conjunction with other healthy foods it may aid with weight loss.
Helps To Prevent Cancer
Napa Cabbage contains vitamins C and A which are known to boost the immune system so that it can effectively resist and fight chronic diseases like cancer. Furthermore, the anthocyanins found in Napa cabbage help to prevent cancer cells from emerging in the body.
Helps To Improve Skin Health
Napa cabbage contains vitamin C and other nutrients that help to improve your skins health. Its high vitamin C content helps to promote collagen production in the epidermis thus, helping to create firmer and good looking skin.
How To Use Napa Cabbage
Napa cabbage can be used in salads or added to stir fries and soups. When using Napa cabbage in soups and stir fries make sure that you add it at the end. This is because if you add it at the beginning it will absorb most of the liquid in the soup thus causing it to be so soft and soggy.
Is It Safe To Eat Raw Napa Cabbage?
Yes it’s very safe to eat raw Napa cabbage but just make sure you follow good hygienic practices. This means you need to wash the Napa cabbage thoroughly under running water. This helps to get rid of any germs or pests that might have gotten inside. Once you have washed the Napa cabbage, leave it to dry before eating it raw. Eating raw Napa cabbage is very beneficial to your health since this vegetable contains a lot of vitamins and nutrients.
Is Napa Cabbage Better Raw Or Cooked?
Napa cabbage is a versatile vegetable and because of that it tastes better whether it’s raw or cooked. If you are someone who enjoys salads then there is a huge chance that Napa cabbage tastes better when it is raw. However, if you are someone who prefers cooked dishes then you will enjoy Napa cabbage better when it’s cooked.
Does Napa Cabbage Have To Be Cooked?
You don’t have to necessarily cook Napa Cabbage this is because it can be consumed raw. However, if you do wish to add it to a soup or stir fry you can always do that. This is because Napa cabbage is a versatile vegetable which can be cooked or eaten raw.
Do I Need To Wash Napa Cabbage?
Yes you need to wash Napa cabbage. This helps to remove germs from the cabbage. When washing Napa cabbage make sure you rinse the leaves under running water.
Is Napa Cabbage Hard To Digest?
No, Napa cabbage is not hard to digest. This is because it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber which aid with digestion. So even if you have a sensitive stomach, Napa cabbage is still a good vegetable to add to your diet since it is not hard to digest.
Is It Ok To Eat Raw Chinese Cabbage?
It is ok to eat raw Chinese cabbage and the best way to do it is to add the Chinese cabbage in a salad or slaw and mix it up with some of your favorite salad dressing.
Conclusion
Based on personal preferences, you can either eat Napa cabbage raw or you can cook it. Either way you will still benefits the vitamins and nutrients attained from Napa cabbage.
