Cabbage Juice Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Cabbage is a round-shaped plant from the cruciferous group that includes other brassica vegetables like broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts, collards and bok choy. The ball shape of cabbage gives it superimposed layers of leaves, most of which are blocked from sunlight during growth. This causes cabbage to have some of the highest content of phytonutrients known. ^1,2
 
Three major types of cabbage occur; red, green and savoy. Red and green cabbage are similar in look and texture except for the color while savoy cabbage is lighter in its green appearance and more delicate in leaves.
 
Cabbage can be eaten raw, cooked or is commonly extracted into cabbage juice which condenses the nutritional value into an easily consumed drink for those who have difficulty processing raw or cooked cabbage. ^1,2,3

Cabbage Juice Health Uses and Health Benefits
 
Cabbage is exceptionally high in Vitamin K and C, containing over 85% of the body’s daily requirements. It’s also an excellent source of dietary fiber, folate, manganese, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, iodine, sulfur, Vitamins B1, B5 and B6. ^1,2
 
Proof exists that cabbage, whether raw, cooked or juiced may contain more medicinal value than any other natural food. Juicing cabbage is commonly done to break down the high fiber content and allow the somewhat bitter taste to be blended with other nutritional foods like carrot and apple. ¹
 
Cabbage juice health benefits include containing some of the most powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories found in cruciferous vegetables. It’s also rich in glucosinolates which help fight cancer. This makes cancer-prevention one of the top cabbage juice uses. ^1,2
 
Two of the leading cabbage juice health benefits are its wonderful properties in boosting the digestive system and in relieving muscle aches and joint pain. Cabbage juice ulcer prevention in another important health benefit.
 
Anti-inflammatory isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from the glucosinolates in cabbage juice help to regulate the production of bacteria and acids in the stomach and intestinal tract. ITCs also work to release lactic acid in muscles and joints that cause inflammation and pain. ^2,4
 
When cooked, there are somewhat fewer cabbage health benefits. Cabbage is best consumed raw which makes juicing raw cabbage an ideal option to get its maximum good. ¹
 
Here are some of the main cabbage juice uses for helping treat and prevent health conditions:

• Peptic Ulcer - Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the stomach lining and first part of the small intestine. Cabbage juice is rich in sulforaphane that works to balance the Helicobacter pylori bacteria which is the main cause of peptic ulcers.
• Ulcers - Ulcers, in general, are non-cancerous sores or burns that happen throughout the digestive tract. Cabbage juice ulcer treatment is well known to control intestinal bacteria.
• Ulcerative Colitis - Colitis is a chronic disease of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Ulcers often form in the large intestine near the colon which is called ulcerative colitis. Cabbage juice provides roughage to clear the GI tract in addition to anti-inflammatory and bacteria controlling qualities.
• Joint Pain - Joint pain is often caused by excessive lactic acid or uric acid crystals. Cabbage juice is very effective in reducing these acids and relieving joint pain.
• Sprains, Strains, and Sprained Ankle - Sprains and strains cause muscle swelling or inflammation of the muscle tissue. Anti-inflammatory isothiocyanates (ITCs) found in cabbage juice provide relief from strained and sprained muscles and joints.
• Gastritis - Gastritis is a common and general term for inflammation of the stomach lining. Cabbage juice provides strong in anti-inflammatory relief for gastritis.

Cabbage Juice Side Effects and Precautions
 
There are virtually no harmful cabbage juice side effects. Some people have difficulty breaking down raw and even cooked cabbage and suffer from excessive stomach gas with burping and flatulence. Juiced cabbage reduces this side effect and makes cabbage easier to digest. ¹

References

1. http://foodfacts.mercola.com/cabbage.html
2. http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=19
3. http://www.livestrong.com/article/510151-benefits-and-side-effects-of-cabbage-juice/
4. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-cabbage.html