Chinese Cabbage – Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Bok choy and napa cabbage are two of the most popular leafy cabbage vegetables in mainland China. The sweet, crisp, and celery-flavored leaves of the napa are one of the most prized ingredients in East Asian cooking. Without a doubt, Chinese cabbages are being used more and more in western, Mediterranean, and American cuisines due to their balanced nutritional profile.

Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and other leafy/flower-head vegetables are all members of the Brassica family, which also contains this particular species of Chinese cabbage. B. campestris (Pekinensis group), to use its scientific name. Pe-tsai, celery cabbage, Chinese white cabbage (dàbáicài), won bok (wombok), hakusai (Japanese), pao, hsin pei tsai, kimchi cabbage, etc. are some of the frequent names for napa.

Health benefits of Chinese cabbage: 

1. Aids in creating strong bones 

Chinese cabbage, which also contains calcium and vitamin K, is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. While vitamin K encourages fat breakdown and blood clotting, calcium also assists to improve neuron function. Bok choy has 16% calcium and 64% vitamin K in a cup.

2. Fights anaemia and exhaustion

You may experience fatigue and decreased energy if your body doesn't produce enough haemoglobin. Chinese cabbage contains a lot of iron, which helps the body make haemoglobin for the blood. The vitality of the body can be greatly improved by the oxygen that haemoglobin transports throughout the body.

3. Aids in controlling blood pressure

This vegetable provides a good source of calcium and potassium, both of which are essential for lowering blood pressure. Additionally, bok choy has low levels of sodium, which is linked to low pressure. According to studies, cutting back on sodium in the diet can reduce blood pressure by up to 8 mm Hg.

4. Heart and blood vessel health

This green, energising vegetable is beneficial to the heart as well. Chinese cabbage has blood pressure-lowering properties, which are important for controlling blood pressure.

5. Slimming down 

Chinese cabbage has a low calorie count despite having a tonne of fibre. Chinese cabbage can be consumed as a nutritional supplement alongside practically any meal without significantly increasing caloric intake. As a result, it serves as an excellent natural aid for encouraging and maintaining weight loss. Making a green juice loaded with fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and banana is one common method of preparing Chinese cabbage.

6. Boost immune system power

Chinese cabbage is a significant source of vitamin C, which helps the body's defence system by acting as a booster. Additionally, vitamin C aids in the body's defence against infections and ailments including the common cold and gum disease.

7. Eye wellness 

Chinese cabbage is very good for your eyes since it includes beta carotene, which has been proved to protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.

8. Reproductive health 

Chinese cabbage contains a lot of fibre, which is important for developing a healthy digestive system. The digestive system of the body can be cleaned out of accumulated waste by eating enough fibre.

9. Aids in treating skin conditions and infections 

Chinese cabbage has important antibacterial and antiseptic characteristics that can aid in the treatment of a variety of skin ailments, including eczema, acne, and pimples. Blemishes, wrinkles, skin discolorations, and skin allergies are just a few of the skin conditions that can be treated by taking this cabbage. Chinese cabbage also revitalises the skin and gives it a delicate, silky texture.

10. Encourages development of hair

Chinese cabbage contains vitamins C and E, both of which have been demonstrated to support and maintain the growth of healthy hair. Additionally, the vegetable has a lot of iron, which helps the body's ferritin levels rise. Frequent hair loss is known to be combated by ferritin.

How to buy and store Chinese cabbage?

Pest infestations are frequent with leafy vegetables like napa cabbage. Napap that is grown conventionally may have frequently been exposed to insecticide spraying. Soak for around 30 minutes in saline water after properly washing in cold running water. Before utilising, give the item a second clean rinse.

Buy fresh,  compact, crispy,napa cabbage at the grocery store. Avoid those with worm-infested, aged, and yellow stocks.

Store napa cabbage at home in the refrigerator set to a high relative humidity level, just as you would other greens. To get the most nutrients, use it while it's still farm fresh.

How to prepare Chinese cabbage?

1. Chinese cabbage is a sweet, crisp, tasty vegetable that can be consumed raw or added to sandwiches, salads, and burgers.
2. The same as other varieties of cabbage, napa can also be used to make coleslaw.
3. Napa cabbage, commonly known as "pe-tsai," is one of the well-liked vegetables used in the fermented Korean cuisine known as kimchi.
4. To produce fried rice, egg rice noodles, chow mein (stir-fried noodles), etc. in China and other East Asian regions, it is used similarly to cabbage in stir fries with added onion, garlic, bell pepper, and green chilies combined with steamed rice and soy/tomato sauce.
5.  Both bok choy and napa are excellent veggies that are frequently included to stir fries, soups, stuffing, etc. in contemporary cuisine.