Chinese cabbage is healthy and a mild-tasting vegetable, which is particularly common in recipes from Asia. Here we show you which nutrients make it so healthy.
Unlike other types of cabbage, Chinese cabbage is easy to digest and has a much milder taste. In a study, scientists created a ranking of the healthiest foods in the world. A surprising result: in second place we find the healthy Chinese cabbage. On the one hand, this is because it is very low in calories and at the same time has a high nutrient density. You can find out here which vitamins, minerals and trace elements these are in detail and what you need them for.
Healthy Chinese cabbage: nutrients and vitamins

The following values refer to 100 grams of the vegetable. Raw Chinese cabbage consists of almost 95 percent water, has a similar amount of carbohydrates (1.24 grams) as proteins (1.07 grams) and hardly any fat (0.30 grams). It is also high in fiber (1.70 grams). That alone makes him very healthy.
vitamins:
Vitamin C: (26 milligrams) With 200 grams of Chinese cabbage you have already covered half of your daily requirement for the immune-boosting vitamin.
Folic acid: (66 micrograms) The DGE recommends around 300 micrograms of folic acid per day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women require significantly more. It is needed primarily for its role in cell division.
Vitamin K: It is important for blood clotting, a stable cardiovascular system and prevents calcium deposits in blood vessels. It is found in very high amounts in Chinese cabbage. The daily requirement is around 70 micrograms and 100 grams of cabbage already contain 80 micrograms.
Vitamin B6: About 20 percent of your daily dose of vitamin B6 can be covered with 200 grams of Chinese cabbage. It is used by the body primarily for protein and fat metabolism and is good for the nerves and fat metabolism.
You can also find significant amounts of: beta-carotene, vitamin A and niacin.
Healthy minerals and trace elements
Chinese cabbage is also so healthy because of its minerals and trace elements.
Minerals:
Potassium: 144 milligrams per 100 grams. This mineral is essential to life and is responsible for the proper functioning of the nervous system, muscles and heart.
Calcium: It is much less common in plant foods than in animal foods. With 250 grams of Chinese cabbage you have already covered a quarter of the recommended daily requirement of calcium. Therefore it is well suited for vegans.
The following are included in smaller, but still significant amounts: phosphorus and magnesium.
trace elements:
Iron: With 200 grams of Chinese cabbage you have covered just over 10 percent of your daily iron requirement. That doesn’t sound like much at first, but it’s quite a lot for a plant-based food. Iron deficiency is common in people who eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, as it is less found in plant-based foods. And then unfortunately only in a form that cannot be absorbed so well by the body. Vitamin C helps you absorb iron. It’s a good thing that this vitamin is also found in large quantities in Chinese cabbage.
Sulfur: We need it primarily for protein metabolism, healthy bones, muscles and tendons. It is also an important component of blood sugar-lowering insulin. 100 grams of the food contains 60 milligrams. You need about 1000 milligrams daily.
Chinese cabbage also contains: zinc and manganese.
Chinese cabbage contains health-promoting substances
The mustard oils (glucosinolates) it contains are typical of cabbage plants. They are also contained in Chinese cabbage and make it a healthy food. Mustard oils are among the secondary plant substances that are not absolutely essential to life, but have a health-promoting effect. They can strengthen the immune system, counteract the development of certain tumor diseases and are antibacterial. They also have the ability to neutralize cell-damaging oxygen molecules (free radicals).
Please note: the increased nitrate content
One thing that’s not quite as healthy about Chinese cabbage is its high nitrate content. In relation to other fruits and vegetables, it is classified as rather high. However, Chinese cabbage from organic fields is less polluted compared to conventional production. That’s why you should better use this. A little nitrate in vegetables is also normal. Adults are usually good at breaking down nitrate. However, young children and infants should not eat Chinese cabbage. They do not yet form the enzyme required for the breakdown of nitrate in sufficient quantities. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment explains this on its website.
How healthy Chinese cabbage is depends on making the right choice

Chinese cabbage in the seasonal calendar: In Germany, leafy vegetables are in season from June to November. So this is the best time to buy it.
If you can, use local organic Chinese cabbage. The Federal Center for Nutrition states that there are demonstrably more nutrients and phytochemicals in food from organic farming than in conventional ones. Organic is healthier for you and your environment.
Note the differences between cooked and unprocessed vegetables. It is best to eat Chinese cabbage raw in a salad or briefly cooked. The nutrient content decreases when it is cooked for a long time. About half of the vitamin C is then lost.
Tip: Probably unknown to most people: Pak Choi. This crunchy cabbage plant, reminiscent of Swiss chard, is closely related to Chinese cabbage. He is also very healthy and the nutritional values are very similar.























