Collard Greens vs Red Cabbage – Which is Healthier?

Our Verdict

When comparing collard greens to red cabbage, we picked the collards.

Why?

Both are great and both have their merits! But…

In terms of macros, collard greens have more fiber and protein, while red cabbage has more carbs. It’s not a huge difference, but by the numbers, it’s a clear win for collard greens on several fronts.

In the category of vitamins, collard greens have more of vitamins A, B2, B3, and B9, while red cabbage has more of vitamins B1, B5, B6, and C. Superficially, that’s a 4:4 tie, but it’s worth noting that collard greens’ vitamins’ margins of difference are much greater, so we could give collards the win on a tie-breaker here, if not just calling it a tie.

When it comes to minerals, things are more one-sided: collard greens have more calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, and zinc, while red cabbage is not higher in any minerals.

Looking at phytochemicals, red cabbage does have more polyphenols, both in number and in total mass, but it’s not a big difference. So, by the numbers, a win for red cabbage, but a small win.

Adding up the sections makes for an overall win for collard greens, but as we say, both are great so by all means enjoy either or both; diversity is good!

Want to learn more?

You might like:

21 Most Beneficial Polyphenols & What Foods Have Them

Enjoy!