Do you love eating cabbage but always complain of stomach pain and bloating afterward? Are you interested in knowing more about the effects of cabbage on the digestive tract? If your answer to either of these two questions is yes, then you should continue reading this article.
In the following paragraphs, we will try to determine whether or not eating cabbage is bad for your stomach, along with solutions on how to keep away the potential side effects.
What you should know about eating cabbage?
First and foremost, cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, rich in fiber, folic acid, calcium and potassium. Cabbage also contains several useful vitamins, namely vitamins A, C and K. Cabbage is rich in phytonutrients, which are antioxidants that protect against various types of cancer.
However, when someone consumes cabbage in large quantities, side effects can appear. We are talking about symptoms associated with indigestion, such as flatulence and diarrhea. And, since inflammation of the GI tract is often associated with joint conditions, it should come as no surprise that excess consumption of cabbage can lead to a variety of ailments. type of arthritis.
Bloated
Flatulence is one of the most common symptoms caused by consumption of cabbage. This is because cabbage contains high amounts of raffinose, a substance that is an indigestible form of sugar.
Excessive consumption of cabbage causes large amounts of complex carbohydrates to enter the GI tract, causing flatulence, among other bothersome symptoms, such as bloating, belching, and stomach cramps.
Diarrhea
According to Glozine Lifestyle, a cup of cabbage contains 5.8 grams of fiber (equal to one serving). This means that a lot of indigestible fiber reaches the digestive tract, which causes accelerated bowel movements, which means diarrhea.
If a person has cancer and is receiving treatment, such as chemotherapy, it is recommended to avoid consuming cabbage. This is because cabbage can make diarrhea, one of the main side effects of chemotherapy, much worse. It is always best to talk to a doctor, before consuming cabbage and other similar vegetables.
What happens if you already suffer from a digestive condition?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a digestive condition, you probably know that certain foods shouldn’t be a part of your daily diet. Well, cabbage is a vegetable that should be avoided, because regular consumption can exacerbate the symptoms of various digestive conditions.
For example, if you have irritable bowel disease (IBS), eating cabbage and especially large amounts of it can cause belching, cramping, and stomach pain. The longer it takes the GI tract to digest food, the more bothersome the symptoms will be.
Contaminated cabbage, from food poisoning to medical emergencies
Remember when your mom taught you to wash all the vegetables, over and over again? Well, he has a very good reason. If cabbage is not washed properly, it can cause harmful bacteria to enter the digestive tract and cause havoc. Contaminated cabbage can cause food poisoning, with common bacteria, such as E. coli, staph or salmonella, causing vomiting, stomach pain, bloating and diarrhea.
You should never take food poisoning lightly as it is, as the symptoms can quickly become life-threatening. Bacteria from contaminated cabbage can enter the bloodstream, causing septicemia and causing life-threatening symptoms. Emergency medical intervention can make the difference between life and death in such a situation.
Solution
The most obvious solution is to avoid consuming cabbage, especially if it is raw (especially true for those who suffer from GI complaints or are undergoing cancer treatment). If you insist on eating cabbage, make sure it is well cooked and also take an enzyme supplement, as this will help you break down the indigestible sugar (raffinosa).
Always wash the cabbage well before cooking, to get rid of it potentially harmful bacteria.
Conclusion
In conclusion, eating cabbage can be very bad for the stomach, as well as for the digestive tract. As you have seen, it is advisable to avoid its consumption, especially if you suffer from digestive disorders. Keep in mind that cabbage can trigger inflammation at the level of the GI tract, thereby causing arthritis in the major joints of the body. If you are already experiencing such symptoms, you can drink it JointFlex and improves inflammation and stiffness caused by arthritis.
Reference:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/negative-effect-cabbage-2960.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/481471-stomach-cramps-after-eating-cabbage/
