Cabbage is a much-loved vegetable in India and many other countries. Be it salad or momos, cabbage has also been used in these, but is this vegetable safe for your health? This question is because health experts believe that cabbage may contain microscopic insects which can cause brain damage and even cause diseases like epilepsy. So if you also eat cabbage then be careful.
While sharing information related to this on social media, Dr. Vijaynath Mishra, Professor of the Neurology Department at Banaras Hindu University, wrote that it is important to take some caution before eating cabbage, as it may contain worms which if enters the body, can cause problems like epilepsy. Increases the risk of many other neurological disorders.
So, should one not eat cabbage? Let us understand from the doctor.
Can affect many organs including the brain
Dr. Mishra has shared a video in which Dr. Manish Modi of the Department of Neurology, PGI, Chandigarh, after cutting cabbage from many parts of Punjab and Chandigarh, examined the eggs of Cysticercus present on the leaves in the lab and found out that these insects gradually -Slowly, like a proboscis, they insert a part of themselves into the body and the eggs of these worms reach any part of the body. These worms can also increase the risk of epilepsy by entering your brain.
How do insects get into cabbage?
In this regard, a report by PlanetNature shows that cabbage worms (Pieris rapae) reach it through butterflies. Studies in Asia, North Africa, and South America have found that white butterflies lay their eggs on the undersides of these leaves, which can then become vulnerable to insects.
There are many types of cabbage worms. Pieris rapae, cabbage looper (Trichoplusia nii), and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) have been the most commonly observed moths in the United States.
Professor Mishra says, cabbage worms also enter it through defecation and waste water, due to which there is a risk of developing many types of health problems.
Insects do not go away even after cooking cabbage
In conversation with Amar Ujala, Prof. Mishra says that no matter how much you cook cabbage, insects do not kill it. One way to do this is to add salt to lukewarm water and leave chopped cabbage or ground vegetables (carrots and radishes) for 30 minutes. After that, throw away that water, rub the vegetables and wash them at least twice and then use it in food. This can be the most effective solution to stay safe from insects.
So why should you not eat cabbage?
Professor Mishra says, it is not that you should stop eating cabbage altogether, but it is very important to wash it properly before eating it and take protective measures. It is important to clean not only cabbage but also the vegetables growing underground (carrot, potato, radish, ginger) thoroughly before eating them. Due to coming in contact with dirty water, these may also contain insects due to which there is a risk of developing diseases. Cleanliness of fruits and vegetables is very important.
(PC: Freepik)
