A tasty 79p “superfood” could help lower cholesterol, according to a doctor. This affordable vegetable could also work wonders for your gut health. Packed with fibre, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, red cabbage has been linked to improved digestion, reduced cholesterol, and even lower blood pressure. And its vibrant colour isn’t just for show – it’s a sign of high polyphenol and anthocyanin content, which help fight inflammation and oxidative stress.

Nutrition expert at Dr Frank’s Weight Loss and Health Clinic, Professor Franklin Joseph, explained: “Red cabbage is one of the most underrated superfoods in the supermarket. It’s rich in fibre, low in calories and packed with compounds that support gut health, reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and promote a healthy immune system.

“It’s an incredible food – especially when you consider the price.” Prof Joseph explained that its prebiotic fibre feeds the good bacteria in your gut, helping to create a balanced microbiome – something increasingly linked to everything from digestion to mental health.” He further said: “Gut health plays a huge role in everything from immunity to mood regulation.

“Adding a few spoonfuls of raw or lightly cooked red cabbage to your meals is a simple way to support that.” As well as feeding the gut, red cabbage contains sulforaphane-like compounds – similar to those found in broccoli – which are believed to play a role in reducing the risk of certain cancers.

“It’s not just about fibre or digestion,” Prof Joseph added. Red cabbage supports detox pathways in the liver, helps lower inflammation, and has even been linked to improved heart health thanks to its antioxidant profile.”

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Red cabbage and cholesterol

His claims about red cabbage abd uts ability to lower cholesterol is supported by a study published in the Clinical Phytoscience journal in 2019. This research showed that in rabbits with high cholesterol, eating the vegetable helped bring levels down.

Study authors wrote: “In hypercholesterolemic rabbits, red cabbage leaves showed significant reduction in cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels than extract administered groups.” They concluded: “Red cabbage leaves possess higher ameliorative potential against altered lipidemic profile and lipid peroxidation as compared to its extract thus explains its ability to prevent exhaustion of endogenous antioxidant enzymes; SOD and CAT.”

Separate research, published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology journal, found that extremely young red cabbage plants could also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. It said: “In summary, our data support dietary consumption of red cabbage microgreens modulates cholesterol metabolism, weight gain, and may protect against hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease.”

At the time of reporting, you could buy a red cabbage from Aldi, Tesco or Sainsbury’s for 79p.