(NaturalNews) Bok choy, a Chinese cabbage, may not seem as popular as the cabbage typically found at markets (red, green, etc.); however, it's a health food superstar that has the potential to protect against cancers, reduce blood pressure and more.

Amazing health benefits of bok choy

1) Cancer prevention

Because it's a cruciferous vegetable, and such vegetables have been shown to keep certain cancers at bay, it's an ideal food for those with related health concerns. According to the George Mateljan Foundation's website that lists top healthy foods, bok choy has been involved in human studies to asses its ability to fight cancers (1).

On the site, WorldsHealthiestFoods.com, it states, "At least part of this protection has been associated with the glucosinolate content of the cruciferous vegetables, including bok choy. (Glucosinolates are unique sulfur-containing compounds that have been shown to have cancer-protective properties.)" (1)

2) Powerful anti-inflammatory

Not only does bok choy have beneficial phytonutrients that help fight chronic inflammation, but it has additional nutrients that give inflammation a one-two punch. The first is omega-3, of which bok choy is a good source, and the second is alpha-linolenic acid, which further contributes to keeping chronic inflammation at bay (1).

Chronic inflammation is linked to autoimmune diseases and acceleration of other problems that range from multiple sclerosis and heart disease to asthma complications and cancer (2).

3) Blood pressure reduction

The commonly-known DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), designed to help reduce blood pressure levels, is a well-known diet and, because bok choy contains minerals relevant to the diet, is a good choice (3). Specifically, in addition to it being low in sodium, it's a good source of potassium and calcium, which play a role in regulating blood pressure.

4) Eases weight loss

Bok choy, with only a mere 9 calories in a cup of the chopped, raw cabbage, is touted as a great way to manage weight (4). Additionally, it boasts a great deal of fiber and, coupled with its low amount of calories, is beneficial for those seeking to eat more food without worrying about weight gain.

Sources for this article include:

(1) http://worldshealthiestfoods.com

(2) http://www.naturalnews.com

(3) http://www.livestrong.com

(4) http://www.fitday.com

About the author:
Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others, using the Internet as her medium. She discusses topics in a straight forward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. She has authored and published hundreds of articles on topics such as the raw food diet and green living in general. >>> Click here to see more by Michelle