Cabbage juice has a wide range of health benefits such as cancer prevention, ulcers treatment, lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) as well as many other benefits.
Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that belongs to the Brassica family. They are high in beta-carotene, insoluble fiber, vitamins B1, B6, C, E, and K, and the minerals iodine, magnesium, iron, calcium and sulphur.
Cabbages have long been used for their inexpensive and therapeutic healing properties. In ancient times, they were known as moon power because they grew under moon light. Today, cabbage juice can be used for the treatment of many ailments.
The Health Benefits of Cabbage Juice
Cabbage juice for ulcers
Cabbage juice is a safe and effective natural remedy for the treatment of ulcers. It contains natural sources of L-glutamine, S-methylmethionine, gefarnate and glucosinolates, which can help protect the stomach and digestive tract by healing the mucous membrane lining.
According to a research published in the Western Journal of Medicine, 13 patients with peptic ulcers were treated with fresh cabbage juice. The study indicated that the healing time for these 13 patients was rather fast at 10 days. Meanwhile, patients who used standard therapy take approximately 37 days to heal1.
The study stated that cabbage juice has anti-peptic ulcer benefits known as vitamin U, which prevents histamine-induced peptic ulcers from forming1.
Cabbage juice for cancer prevention
Eating a diet high in cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage) can reduce the risk of breast cancer and this is the reason it is one of the best 14 foods for cancer prevention and it is also one of the ingredients of this giant cancer fighting salad.
According to a research published in the International Journal of Cancer, a great intake of vegetables such as cabbage was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer2.
The study indicated that there was a strong inverse reaction between breast cancer and the following fruits and vegetables: dark green leafy vegetables, cruciferous vegetables such as Chinese cabbage and cabbage, carrots and tomatoes, mushrooms and fungi2.
This research was supported by a study published in the Annals of Oncology, which found that eating cruciferous vegetables at least one a week significantly reduced the risk of oral, esophagus, colorectal, breast and kidney cancers3. The results of the study concluded that cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage can be used to prevent the development of several cancers.
Cabbage juice lowers “bad” cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol)
A 2003 study researched the cholesterol-lowering effects of cabbage by consuming two types of canned beverages in a double-blind study.
The beverages contained a mixture of green vegetables and fruits with or without broccoli and cabbage.
Results showed that patients who drank the broccoli and cabbage beverage reduced their LDL-cholesterol levels (also known as the “bad” cholesterol). The patients who drank the beverage that did not contain broccoli and cabbage had insignificant results.
The study concluded that broccoli and cabbage are useful for lowering bad cholesterol in persons with high cholesterol4.
Further reading: How to Lower Cholesterol With This Natural Substance
Cabbage juice for weight loss
Cabbage juice is naturally low in calories, making it a healthy weight-loss beverage. Drink cabbage juice in place of higher-calorie beverages – including commercial fruit juice – to help you lose weight.
Cabbages are also one of the vegetables that can help you lose weight by “resetting” your hormones for a faster weight loss.
Cabbage juice for a beautiful skin
Cabbage juice is loaded with antioxidants and phytochemicals, which can do wonders for your skin. It also has a high vitamin C content.
Vitamin C is important in promoting a healthy skin, and is a common ingredient in skin care products. Lack of vitamin C contributes to dry skin, reduced elasticity and easy bruising. It also makes it more difficult to heal the skin. Vitamin C is also one of the top vitamins for a healthy skin.
Red Cabbage vs. White Cabbage
Any cabbage juice is better than none. But if you have the option to pick, go with red cabbage over white. Red cabbage has more vitamin C than white. It even has more vitamin C than oranges!
Unlike white cabbage, red cabbage contains the antioxidant compound known as anthocyanins, a red flavonoid pigment that has many health benefits including skin care, reducing cancer and boosting the immune system. Red cabbage is also the winner of vitamin K content as well as glucosinolates, a power cancer fighting substance.
Juicing a Fermented Cabbage
Take your cabbage juicing a step further by using fermented cabbage, also known as sauerkraut.
Fermented cabbage is cabbage that has been shredded, coated with salt and left to sit (or ferment) in its own juices. Fermented cabbage provides you with natural probiotic power for all your digestive health needs and it is one of the top 10 fermented foods for a healthy gut.
Probiotics naturally start forming on the cabbage after a few days of fermenting. But in order for sauerkraut to have anti-cancer benefits, it must be raw. Raw, naturally fermented sauerkraut contains lactic acid bacteria, a probiotic strain that binds to intestinal bacteria and demobilizes them while also boosting the immune system5. Canned, cooked and pasteurized sauerkraut do not contain lactic acid.
Why Juice Cabbage Instead of Eating It?
There are some benefits to juicing your vegetables as opposed to eating them.
The process of juicing breaks down the food for you, making it easier to be absorbed directly into your blood stream. This gives you fast energy and effortless digestion.
Those with digestive problems may find that eating vegetables may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Juicing takes away the discomfort of breaking down gassy foods while still providing you with all the nutrients.
How to Juice a Cabbage
Making cabbage juice is easy if you have a powerful juicer. You will want to soak the cabbage in warm water and a bit of raw apple cider vinegar first. This will thoroughly clean the cabbage and naturally remove pesticides. Ideally, you should use organic cabbage to limit pesticide exposure.
Next, chop the cabbage in half and slowly feed it through your juicer. If you have a hard time getting used to the taste of cabbage alone, try combining carrots and celery to it.
How to Make a Fermented Cabbage Juice
To make your own fermented cabbage juice, you’ll need:
3 cups of coarsely shopped organic red cabbage
¾ cups of filtered water
1 teaspoon of sea salt
A blender
A glass jar with a lid
Start by filling the blender with the chopped cabbage, salt and water. Blend gently on a low speed so that you get small pieces, not a puree. Pour the blended mixture in the jar and allow room for expansion. Cover the jar and let the mixture sit for three days at room temperature.
After three days, strain the mixture to separate the juice and pulp. Put the fermented juice in the refrigerator and aim for drinking ½ cup of this solution diluted with equal parts of water.
If you are new to fermented foods, be sure to work your way up slowly as fermented foods can have a laxative effect. You can start with one or two tablespoons of the mixture to see how you feel.
Precaution – If you suffer from a thyroid condition, talk to your healthcare provider about using raw cabbage juice as cruciferous vegetables may have an adverse effect.