The harmful effects of eating too much cabbage

Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that provides the body with many essential nutrients such as fiber, folate, calcium, potassium and vitamins.

Dr. Nguyen Thu Ha (FPT Long Chau Pharmacy System), a specialist in internal medicine, shared six harmful effects of eating too much cabbage that you should be aware of and consider the amount you consume in your diet.

Digestive disorders

The fiber in cabbage is great for promoting gut health, but eating too much cabbage can lead to gas, bloating, and even diarrhea. The high fiber content in cabbage can overload your digestive system, especially for those who are not used to a high-fiber diet.

Eating too much cabbage can lead to bloating, gas and even diarrhea.

The insoluble fiber in cabbage increases the movement of waste through the digestive tract, so eating too much cabbage can lead to diarrhea or intestinal obstruction, especially for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or have sensitive stomachs.

Besides diarrhea, bloating is another digestive side effect of eating too much cabbage that you should be aware of. Cabbage contains a large amount of raffinose, an indigestible sugar that causes bloating.

Blood sugar fluctuations

Dr. Thu Ha informed, based on a research article showing that cabbage contains a type of nutrient in plants, called glucosinolate. This substance will break down into substances that have the effect of regulating blood sugar levels. This can be beneficial for people who are controlling diabetes, but for others it can lead to a decrease in blood sugar, thereby causing symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness and fatigue. Therefore, if you have diabetes or are taking medication to control blood sugar, you should consider consulting your doctor about adding cabbage to your daily diet.

Effects on thyroid function

In addition to affecting blood sugar, glucosinolates found in cabbage also impact thyroid function. Glucosinolates contain sulfur and nitrogen—substances that can interfere with thyroid hormone production or release certain ions that compete with iodine absorption. The thyroid gland needs iodine to function properly, so eating too much cabbage can lead to iodine competition, potentially causing hypothyroidism.

Interfere with nutrient absorption

Like other cruciferous vegetables, cabbage contains compounds that can bind to essential minerals like iron and calcium in the digestive tract, thereby hindering the absorption of iron and calcium in the body. While this effect does not cause too much of an impact on most healthy people, those who are deficient or at risk of deficiency (such as vegetarians and vegans) should be careful about the amount of cabbage in their diet.

Allergies to any food are not uncommon, and cabbage allergies are no exception.

Allergy

Allergies to any food are not uncommon, and cabbage allergies are no exception. Some people experience rashes or itching after eating too much cabbage. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the appropriate amount of food and monitor any sudden symptoms. If the allergy is too severe, you should consult a doctor and only eat when allowed.

Drug interactions

Doctor Thu Ha said that cabbage contains a lot of vitamin K, a vitamin that helps blood clot. If you eat too much cabbage, it can affect blood thinning drugs. Therefore, if you are using this medicine, you should talk to your doctor and pay attention to the appropriate amount of cabbage you eat. According to the recommendations of the Medical Center, University of Maryland (USA), the daily amount of vitamin K needed for women is 90 mcg and 120 mcg for men.

For any food, consuming it in moderation ensures its benefits; conversely, excessive consumption can lead to unwanted side effects and negatively impact health.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-tac-hai-khi-an-qua-nhieu-bap-cai-185250301234945333.htm