According to Professor Wang Guowei from Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese cabbage has been known since ancient times as the "king of vegetables" because of its high nutritional value. It is rich in calcium, containing 43 milligrams per 100 grams. A cup of cooked Chinese cabbage juice can provide almost as much calcium as a cup of milk. For those who do not like milk, consuming an adequate amount of Chinese cabbage is a good way to obtain a lot of calcium.
Chinese cabbage has a high water content (about 95%) and very low calories, making it an excellent food for weight loss.
According to relevant foreign research studies, the incidence of breast cancer among Chinese women is much lower than that of Western women, which is partly related to the higher consumption of Chinese cabbage. This is because Chinese cabbage contains a compound that helps break down estrogen associated with breast cancer; the content of this substance accounts for about 1% of the weight of Chinese cabbage.[China Cuisine]
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese cabbage is believed to have the effects of nourishing the stomach and promoting body fluids, relieving vexation and quenching thirst, promoting urination and bowel movements, resolving phlegm and stopping coughs, and clearing heat and detoxifying. It is suitable for most people, especially those who are overweight, have excess internal heat, have an imbalance of the spleen and stomach, or have a cough with phlegm.
During the dry winter weather, Chinese cabbage, with its extremely high water content and rich vitamins, can help to nourish yin and moisten dryness, as well as nourish and beautify the skin when consumed in larger amounts.
The fiber in Chinese cabbage has a laxative and detoxifying effect, and it can also promote the human body's absorption of animal protein, making it especially suitable for people with constipation. For those who are prone to "internal heat," eating more Chinese cabbage can also help to clear it. Therefore, Chinese cabbage should be a staple vegetable on people's dining tables in winter. However, as Chinese cabbage is considered "cool" in nature, people with a weak and cold spleen and stomach should eat it in moderation. (Contributed by "Capital Health Online" of Beijing Radio Station)