Do you like eating cabbage but you always complain of stomachache and bloating afterward? Are you interested in discovering more information on the effects of cabbage on the gastrointestinal tract? If your answer to either one of these two questions is yes, then you should keep on reading this article.
In the paragraphs that follow, we will try to determine if eating cabbage is bad for your stomach or not, along with solutions on how to keep potential side-effects at a distance.
What should you know about eating cabbage?
First and foremost, cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, being rich in fiber, folic acid, calcium, and potassium. It also contains some beneficial vitamins, meaning vitamin A, C and K. Cabbage is rich in phytonutrients, which are antioxidants that protect against various types of cancer.
However, when one consumes high quantities of cabbage, side-effects can appear. We are talking about symptoms associated gastrointestinal upset, such as flatulence and diarrhea. And, because the inflammation of the GI tract is often associated with joint conditions, it should come as no surprise that the excess consumption of cabbage can lead to different types of arthritis.
Flatulence
Flatulence is one of the most common symptoms caused by cabbage consumption. This is because cabbage contains a high quantity of raffinose, a substance which is a form of non-digestible sugar.
The excess consumption of cabbage leads to a large quantity of complex carbs entering the GI tract, causing flatulence, among other upsetting symptoms, such as bloating, belching and abdominal cramps.
Diarrhea
According to Glozine lifestyle, a cup of cabbage contains 5, 8 grams of fiber (equals one serving). This means that a lot of non-digestible fiber reaches the gastrointestinal tract, leading to an acceleration of the bowel movements, meaning diarrhea.
If a person suffers from cancer and receives treatment, such as chemotherapy, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of cabbage. This is because cabbage can make diarrhea, one of the main side-effects of chemotherapy, a lot worse. It is always for the best to talk to the doctor, before consuming cabbage and other similar cruciferous vegetables.
What happens if you already suffer from a digestive condition?
If you have been diagnosed with a digestive condition, you probably know that certain foods are not allowed to be part of your daily diet. Well, cabbage is among the vegetables that should be avoided, as the regular consumption can exacerbate the symptoms of various digestive conditions.
For example, if you suffer from irritable bowel disease (IBS), eating cabbage and especially in large quantities, can lead to belching, cramping, and abdominal pain. The longer it takes for the GI tract to digest the food, the more upsetting the symptoms are going to be.
Contaminated cabbage, from food poisoning to medical emergency
Remember when your mother taught you to wash all vegetables, over and over again? Well, she had a very good reason. If cabbage is not properly washed, it can lead to harmful bacteria entering the gastrointestinal tract and causing havoc. Contaminated cabbage can lead to food poisoning, with common bacteria, such as E.coli, Staph or salmonella, leading to vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea.
You should never treat such food poisoning lightly, as the symptoms can quickly become life-threatening. The bacteria from the contaminated cabbage can enter the bloodstream, causing septicemia and leading to life-threatening symptoms. The emergency medical intervention can make the difference between life and death in such situation.
Solutions
The most obvious solution is to avoid the consumption of cabbage, especially if it is raw (especially valid for those who are suffering from GI complaints or receive cancer treatment). If you do insist on consuming cabbage, make sure it is well cooked and also take enzyme supplements, as these will help you break down the non-digestible sugar (raffinose).
Always wash the cabbage well before cooking, so as to eliminate any potentially harmful bacteria.
Conclusion
In conclusion, eating cabbage can be quite bad for the stomach, as well for the gastrointestinal tract. As you have seen, it is recommended to avoid its consumption, especially if you are suffering from digestive conditions. Keep in mind that cabbage can trigger inflammation at the level of the GI tract, thus causing arthritis in the major joints of the body. If you are already experiencing such symptoms, you can take JointFlex and improve the inflammation and rigidity caused by arthritis.
References:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/negative-effects-cabbage-2960.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/481471-stomach-cramps-after-eating-cabbage/
Annie Lizstan
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