Brussels sprout, Collard, broccoli all these vegetables are in the family of the cabbage.
Their nutrient levels and contents may vary slightly.
Rich in potassium and very low in sodium making it good and valuable for people with hypertension (oedema, fluid retention), coronary heart disease and arteriosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries)
The chemicals (phytochemicals) found in the cabbage inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The action of these chemicals (vitamin U) is both preventative and curative in case of cancer. The strong smell of cabbage is due to its sulfurated substances. These act as antibiotics and help to rebalance the bacterial flora within the intestines in cases of infection.
Cabbage should be eaten raw or juiced for medicinal purposes. Its phytochemicals are destroyed by heat. For positive results drink 3 spoonfuls to ½ a cup on an empty stomach for a period of not less than 1 week.
Cabbage combines well with other vegetables for a great delicious salad. Cabbage is delicate and should be cooked for a very short time to preserve both the taste and nutrients.
Some of the substances found in cabbage interfere with the absorption of iodine by the thyroid. The substance is only produced by an action of an enzyme in raw cabbage. Raw cabbage should therefore be avoided as a cautionary measure in cases of hypothyroidism or goitre.
It is possible to find different colours of peppers these days; yellow, red and even purple. These peppers have common nutrients and for the brightly coloured ones, they are rich in provitamin A (beta-carotene).
Peppers mix well with other vegetables in a raw salad. It can also be juiced together with other vegetables it gives the juice a pleasant aroma and flavour. The most healthful way to cook peppers is by roasting, this way they retain most of the nutrients and it improves their taste!
Paprika, powdered dried pepper, is a healthy colouring for a variety of dishes.
Cucumbers are among the most water-rich foods. Of its total weight, 96% is water. Its high value is associated with its mineral content which is highly alkaline.
Vegetables are packed with the very essential antioxidants and enzymes needed by our bodies for optimum health. Do all you can to eat as many vegetables and fruits as you can but sometimes it is not possible to do just that your alternative then is to juice them every day this way you are sure you are getting the right amounts. Juices are also easily digested, absorbed and assimilated by the body.
Another excellent way to get adequate amounts of phytonutrients (plant-based nutrients) is through food supplements such as wheatgrass powder and moringa powder (1-2 teaspoons every day) which can be found through your nutritionist or from health stores.