Benefits of Cabbage Juice – The Truth Behind The Hype

When you think of cabbage, you might imagine an unappetizing cabbage stew or even a raw cabbage salad. Even if the idea of eating cabbage may not fill you with excitement, you might just enjoy this healthy vegetable in juice form. Why has this juice become increasingly popular over the past few years? Many claim that the health benefits of cabbage juice are practically endless but is this really true?

What is Cabbage Juice?

Cabbage juice is exactly what it sounds like – it is the juice made from cabbage. Cabbage is a leafy vegetable that comes from a group of vegetables known as cruciferous vegetables. They come from the Brassica genus family. Broccoli, cauliflower, and kale are other plants you might recognize from this group.

Like the other vegetables in this family, cabbage is packed with nutrients and vitamins.

What are the Benefits of Cabbage Juice?

Cabbage is high in many of the minerals and vitamins we need to live a healthy life. As juicing cabbages retains many of these, it is logical to see the same benefits of cabbages extend to its juice form. Here are just a few:

Cabbage Juice Can Help Fight Free Radicals

Vitamin C and vitamin K are both essential for fighting free radicals. Free radicals are produced as a byproduct of normal metabolic processes.  They can end up causing cellular damage to our bodies and are thought to cause serious health problems like cancer and heart conditions.

Cabbage Juice Can Be Good For Your Skin

It seems that we’re always searching for ways to improve our skin. Cabbage is packed with vitamin C which is required during the process of making collagen. Collagen is essential for maintaining the health and elasticity of your skin. 

Cabbage Can Help You Reach Weight Loss Goals

Cabbage juice and cabbage itself are a very low calorie food. With less than 20 calories per 1 cup serving and high fiber content, this vegetable will keep you feeling full while contributing very little to your calorie intake for the day.   

Cabbage Juice Supports A Healthy Immune System

The immune system helps our bodies fight off viruses and bacteria that enter the body. In a healthy immune system, you’re less vulnerable to  suffering the harsh symptoms of a bad cold or flu. Because of cabbage’s high vitamin C content, the juice can help you maintain a strong, healthy immune system. 

Cabbage Juice Supports Optimal Liver Function

A healthy liver is crucial for your overall health and well being. The liver is responsible for removing harmful toxins and storing key nutrients. You can help to support healthy liver function with cabbage juice. Because of the many antioxidants in cabbage, the juice provides you with the enzymes you need to support liver health.

Cabbage Juice Can Reduce Risk of Certain Cancers

Cancer is unfortunately a risk for all of us. We know that our daily habits and the foods we choose can lower our overall risk of developing certain cancers. Antioxidants in cabbage juice have been shown to reduce our risk. Like other cruciferous vegetables, cabbage contains cancer-fighting components that have been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers. 

Cabbage Juice Can Keep Cholesterol Levels Low

While some cholesterol is essential for our health, too much LDL cholesterol can create an increased risk of heart disease. Cabbage contains something called phytosterols, which have been proven to improve unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels.

What are the Downsides of Cabbage Juice?

So far, the cabbage juice benefits are making it sound pretty fantastic – but are there any downsides to the beverage?

• Can Cause Upset Stomach: While cabbage juice can have some incredible health benefits for some, others may find that the beverage causes an upset stomach. This is because cabbage is high in fructans, a carb that can be hard to digest and can irritate the bowel, especially for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• May Affect the Thyroid: The thyroid is a tiny gland in the neck that produces key hormones that regulate many important systems in the body like the heart and the body temperature. A few studies suggest that too much cabbage can inhibit normal thyroid function. If you have a thyroid condition, raw cabbage can be harmful, so it may be best to avoid this type of juice.
• May Interact with Medications: If you are on any medications, check with your doctor before adding anything to your health routine, including consuming cabbage juice with regularity. The vitamin K in cabbage can interfere with the blood’s ability to clot. Some blood thinner medication may interact poorly with a change in vitamin K level in the body.
• Lacks Fiber: As with most juices, cabbage juice contains significantly less fiber than a whole, solid cabbage. Fiber is important as it makes us feel full, and helps to keep our digestive system healthy. We lose the fiber that was once offered in the whole vegetable.
• Taste: There’s no getting around it – cabbage juice has a pretty strong and, to most, an unpleasant taste. Many people find it hard to stomach. However, by adding sweet juices like pineapple or orange juice, you can make cabbage juice more palatable.

How to Make Cabbage Juice at Home

If you are keen on trying the cabbage juice trend, the best way to get the juice is to make it yourself. 

• Start by boiling 2 cups of water for 30 minutes.
• Pour this water into your blender and add some chopped cabbage. You’ll need around 3 cups.
• Blend the mixture on low for a few minutes, then blend on high for a few seconds. 
• Pour the mixture into a sealable jar. Leave room at the top as it will likely expand.
• Allow the juice to sit for 3 days.
• You can use a strainer to remove any pulp.
• Blend with another, sweeter juice to help with the strong taste (if needed)
• Refrigerate your mixture and enjoy!

FAQs About Cabbage Juice

Still, have some questions? Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the benefits of cabbage juice. 

Is cabbage juice good for ulcers?

Many juicers claim that cabbage juice has helped them with stomach ulcers. The juice has been used to treat ulcers since the 50s when an early study showed that cabbage juice could heal peptic ulcers in under a week. More recent research has also shown that cabbage contains healing effects for peptic ulcers.

Is cabbage juice good for acid reflux?

It turns out that, yes, cabbage juice can help you deal with symptoms of acid reflux. This is because the cabbage contains compounds that help the digestive system function normally and effectively. 

How much cabbage juice should you drink a day?

Unless you are on medication or you experience problems due to IBS, there is no established set limit to how much cabbage juice you can drink each day. It’s recommended that juice consumption in general is kept at 4-6 ounces per day only. However, this recommendation was made considering the high sugar content found in most juices. Vegetable juices, particularly cabbage, contain little sugar so it may be acceptable to consume over the recommended amount. If you start to experience cramps or gassiness, you may choose to cut back on your cabbage juice intake.

What are the myths surrounding cabbage juice?

 Many of the claims about cabbage juice’s benefits have been shown to be accurate. Keep in mind, no one food item holds the magic key to solving your health issues. Cabbage juice may perfectly complement a varied diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. 

Remember that juices contain much less fiber than the original fruits and vegetables, so the purported health benefits will never be the same as they would be if you simply ate the vegetable to begin with!

Conclusion

Cabbage juice, especially when it’s made at home, can be a  great beverage to include in your healthy routine. The drink is packed with nutrients and studies have shown that the juice does have a range of health benefits. As with anything, be careful not to overdo it. Too much cabbage juice may result in some less than desirable side effects. Moderation is essential.

Let us know how you include cabbage juice in your healthy diet below!