Cabbage Juice: The Zero Fat Low Caloric Beverage

Introduction

In today's health-conscious world, people are continuously seeking nutritious and low-calorie alternatives to maintain a balanced diet and shed unwanted pounds. Among the plethora of choices, cabbage juice has emerged as a highly nutritious option due to its numerous health benefits, particularly as a zero-fat and low-caloric beverage. Not only is cabbage juice delicious and refreshing, but it also packs a nutritional punch that can positively impact overall health and wellness.

Is Cabbage Juice a Good Option?

Cabbage juice can be easily prepared or made from any variety of cabbage. Cabbage is a member belonging to the Brassica oleracea species or family, which also includes kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, with similar health benefiting properties and contains several micronutrients. Popular varieties of cabbage juice are made worldwide, mainly the red cabbage juice and the fermented red cabbage juice. There are also several types of juice blends which can include cabbage juice, hence it's a versatile option among the juices. The nutritional benefits of cabbage juice would primarily depend on the ingredients included in the juice. Cabbage juice is not only low in calories but also low in carbohydrates (only four grams of carbohydrates from natural sugars); hence, it can be included in both low carb and low calorie health diets.

The glycemic index of cabbage is only one, which makes it a low-glycemic food that is excellent for diabetics and pre-diabetics. Cabbage juice also has no fat, which means it can be included in all the low-fat health diets. Sometimes, it can be consumed, prepared commercially, or blended with other juices.

This is because most of the colorful fruits and vegetables likely to be in a juice drink comprise of negligible fat. There may be, however, good protein in the cabbage juice, depending on how much cabbage is used to prepare the juice. For instance, a single cup of raw cabbage provides only about one gram of protein. Similarly, a cup of commercially prepared fermented cabbage juice has nearly four grams of protein in it.

What Is the Nutrition Content in Cabbage Juice?

One cup or approximately 236 milliliters or 8 ounces of fermented cabbage juice would yield around 31 calories, 0.14 ounces of protein, and 0.14 ounces of carbs. This juice is completely free from fat. The nutrition information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for 8 ounces of fermented cabbage juice is as follows:

Carbohydrates: 0.14 ounces

Fiber: 0 ounces

Sugars: 0.14 ounces

Protein: 0.14 ounces

Vitamin C: 0.0013 ounces

Fat: 0 ounces

Sodium: 0.0156 ounces

Total Calories: 31

Juicing cabbage eliminates its fiber content, resulting in the carbohydrates derived solely from natural sugars in both commercial and homemade cabbage juice. A single large head of cabbage can contain up to 1.41 ounce of sugar. When purchasing cabbage juice blended with other fruit juices, higher amounts of carbohydrates from natural sugars are likely to be consumed.

What Are the Health Benefits of Cabbage Juice?

Though the enlisted health benefits require further nutrition research and scientific investigation, many nutrition experts widely encourage cabbage juice for the following reasons :

• Rich in Vitamin C: Nearly 54 percent of the daily value of vitamin C is yielded by a cup of fermented cabbage juice; hence it is beneficial to skin health, and bone health and even promotes wound healing.

• Rich in Vitamin K: As cabbage is rich in the fat-soluble vitamin K, it is beneficial possibly to prevent osteoporosis and may improve bone functions, and metabolism apart from aiding in blood clotting.

• Promotes Gut Health: Scientific studies as early as the year 1949 in medical literature show that cabbage and its juice form have been used to prevent stomach /gastrointestinal ulcers. Many nutrition experts commonly recommend raw cabbage juice to relieve symptoms of patients suffering from gastrointestinal pain and gastritis. This may be because fermented cabbage is rich in probiotics and offers promising health benefits by promoting beneficial gut bacteria.

What Are the Contraindications of Consuming Cabbage Juice?

• Registered dieticians or nutritionists may advise to stop consuming cabbage in any form if someone is allergic to any member of Brassica plant species members.

• Cabbage juice can interfere with the acetaminophen levels in the body. Hence, cabbage intake should be strictly restricted for individuals on medications comprising acetaminophen.

• For individuals on anticoagulant therapy like warfarin, cabbage and cabbage juice, especially in large quantities, might interfere and possibly decrease the anticoagulant effect owing to the high vitamin K.

• Nutrition evidence also suggests that consuming large quantities of cabbage would interfere with medications like antidiabetes drugs, glucuronidated drugs, medications involving cytochrome P450 1A2.

• It is always wise to let the registered healthcare provider/dietician/nutritionist know about the medications to minimize the risk of a potential drug interaction.

How Can Cabbage Juice Be Purchased and Stored?

Cabbage juice can be found year-round commercially at stores. For making cabbage juice at home, the best time to purchase the vegetable is between fall and early spring. Look for heavy, compact heads of the cabbage that possess bright green or red leaves. The leaves of cabbage should not appear wilted. Also, avoid cabbage heads, which may have cracked at the base. To store uncut cabbage, it can be kept ideally for up to two weeks. Once the head is cut, tightly wrap it in plastic to prevent spoilage. Similarly, refrigerate the prepared juice and avoid leaving it at room temperature.

How to Prepare a Cabbage Juice?

Easily prepare low-calorie, low-carb cabbage juice using a juicer or blender in the comfort of the home. Follow these basic steps:

• Chop the raw cabbage head into large chunks and boil them until softened.

• Transfer the softened cabbage and water to a blender, gradually increasing the speed for 20 to 30 seconds.

• Refrigerate the prepared juice in a glass container, ensuring to strain any large vegetable chunks.

• Customize the juice by adding citrusy lemon or other ingredients like kale, cucumber, apple, cilantro, or spinach to enhance its flavor.

Conclusion

Cabbage juice is a beneficial, low-calorie, low-carb, and no fat beverage that yields promising health benefits and is currently recommended by many nutrition experts. However, it is important to consult with the registered healthcare provider to discuss the medication history before implementing cabbage juice in a regular diet.