NutriCoach

A diet rich in cruciferous vegetables - cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts - protects against lung cancer. Many health claims have been made for cruciferous vegetables, which contain high concentrations of isothiocyanates which prevent lung cancer by increasing the excretion of tobacco-derived toxins. The level of isothiocyanates in the body is controlled by two genes - GSTM1 and GSTT1 - which determine how quickly they are eliminated. People with inactive forms of these genes have higher levels of isothiocyanates because they do not produce the enzymes that break them down. However, the protective effect only works in people who have inactive versions of one or both of two specific genes - about half of the population. Among those with the inactive genes who ate cabbage or its relatives at least once a week, the risk of lung cancer was cut by a third. The effect is seen only in smokers. Among non-smokers, in whom lung cancer is rare, there was no difference between those who ate cabbage and those who did not.

Cabbage is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Vitamin A, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Calcium and Potassium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate and Manganese.

The Bad This food is very high in Sodium, and a large portion of the calories in this food come from sugars.