There’s no denying that cabbage is the most loved vegetable in many Indian households, from making that classic Aloo Gobhi to that classic pakoras to making that creamy Coleslaw, this green veggie needs no introduction. Interestingly, there are many misconceptions and myths associated with cabbage such as eating this vegetable can pave the way for tapeworms to enter the body and cause deadly ailments like Neurocysticercosis . Here’s all you need to know about cabbage and is it actually harmful?
Can eating cabbage harmful?
As per the common myth, it is believed that eating raw cabbage can lead to the development of tapeworm, which can alter the nervous system and infect the brain with Neurocysticercosis. However, experts suggest that Neurocysticercosis causing tapeworms usually enter the body and brain due to improper and unhygienic conditions like open defecation in the farms and consumption of uninspected pork, which may turn fatal incase of ignorance.
What is Neurocysticercosis?
Neurocysticercosis is basically a parasitic infection of the central nervous system that enters the body due to the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. This tapeworm may infect humans in case of eating undercooked food and observing poor hygiene practices. As per a report by the WHO, Neurocysticercosis is a preventable cause of epilepsy worldwide, but in absence of proper treatment, it can turn fatal.
Ways to clean cabbage?
Here are some effective and simple ways to clean cabbage before cooking or eating it:
Remove outer leaves
In most cases the outermost leaves usually carry most of the dirt, dust, or pesticide residues. Peel them off and discard.
Rinse under running water
Hold the cabbage under cool running water and gently rub the surface to wash away dirt or insects.
Soak in salt water
Cut the cabbage into halves or quarters and soak it in a bowl of water with 1 teaspoon of salt for about 10–15 minutes. This helps remove hidden insects or worms.
Use vinegar solution
Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and soak the cabbage pieces for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water afterward.
Blanch if needed
For extra cleaning (especially if eating raw), you can blanch cabbage leaves in hot water for 1–2 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
Can eating cabbage harmful?
As per the common myth, it is believed that eating raw cabbage can lead to the development of tapeworm, which can alter the nervous system and infect the brain with Neurocysticercosis. However, experts suggest that Neurocysticercosis causing tapeworms usually enter the body and brain due to improper and unhygienic conditions like open defecation in the farms and consumption of uninspected pork, which may turn fatal incase of ignorance.
What is Neurocysticercosis?
Neurocysticercosis is basically a parasitic infection of the central nervous system that enters the body due to the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. This tapeworm may infect humans in case of eating undercooked food and observing poor hygiene practices. As per a report by the WHO, Neurocysticercosis is a preventable cause of epilepsy worldwide, but in absence of proper treatment, it can turn fatal.
Ways to clean cabbage?
Here are some effective and simple ways to clean cabbage before cooking or eating it:
Remove outer leaves
In most cases the outermost leaves usually carry most of the dirt, dust, or pesticide residues. Peel them off and discard.
Rinse under running water
Hold the cabbage under cool running water and gently rub the surface to wash away dirt or insects.
Soak in salt water
Cut the cabbage into halves or quarters and soak it in a bowl of water with 1 teaspoon of salt for about 10–15 minutes. This helps remove hidden insects or worms.
Use vinegar solution
Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and soak the cabbage pieces for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water afterward.
Blanch if needed
For extra cleaning (especially if eating raw), you can blanch cabbage leaves in hot water for 1–2 minutes and then rinse with cold water.
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