Nell’antica Roma il cavolo veniva considerato una panacea, lo stesso Catone ne suggeriva l’utilizzo per favorire la guarigione delle ferite. Sembra che venissero utilizzati cavoli per guarire qualsiasi tipo di malattia.
In epoca moderna, dei numerosi studi mirati ad individuare gli alimenti con proprietà antitumorali più efficaci nell’uomo, il cavolo ha dimostrato possedere incredibili effetti protettivi.
Consumare il cavolo crudo, cotto o sotto forma di crauti una volta alla settimana può ridurre del 66% la probabilità di cancro del colon. Sembra esserci quindi un fenomeno dose-risposta, e il cavolo rosso, ricco di antocianine, sembra avere effetti ancora più marcati.
I primi risultati ottenuti sull’uomo risalgono agli anni ’70, il dottor Lee Wattenberg isolò alcune sostanze definite indoli che erano in grado di bloccare la formazione del cancro negli animali.
Il cavolo e i suoi stessi cucini, cavolini di Bruxelles, broccoli, cavolfiore, sembrano essere capaci di proteggere le cellule dagli attacchi iniziali che danno luogo poi al cancro pienamente manifesto.
La famiglia delle crocifere, di cui il cavolo è il membro più famoso, comprende numerosi agenti tumorali, agli indoli, si affianca l’azione della clorofilla, di alcuni flavonoidi, degli isotiacianati, degli acidi fenolici e delle vitamine E e C.
LEGGI ANCHE
BENZENE -61% SE MANGI BROCCOLI TUTTI I GIORNI
5 CIBI SUPER PER POTENZIARE LE DIFESE IMMUNITARIE
I CIBI PER DIFENDERCI DALL’INQUINAMENTO DELL’ARIA
VIRUS E BATTERI? NON HANNO SCAMPO
Il consumo regolare di cavolo risulta essere particolarmente efficace per prevenire l’influenza. Questo straordinario ortaggio stimola la produzione e la reattività del sistema immunitario nei confronti di virus e batteri, non solo, sembra che il loro consumo, aiuti a metabolizzare più in fretta alcuni farmaci, come ad esempio il paracetamolo.
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