The cabbage soup and water diet is a low-fat and high-fiber plan that supports weight loss. The cabbage and water diet lasts for seven days and should not be followed any longer because it significantly restricts calories. During the seven days you are to consume as much cabbage soup as you want. The cabbage soup recipe varies but is generally consists of low-calorie vegetables with herbs and spices for taste. For better results, drink at least four glasses of water every day. Some foods are slowly reintroduced in your diet during the seven days. This includes raw fruits and vegetables, skim milk, skinless chicken, beef, brown rice and unsweetened fruit juices. This is not a long-term diet plan so consult with your doctor before starting the seven-day diet.
Types of Cabbage
There are hundreds of different kinds of cabbages around the world that you can use when making your soup for these seven days. In "Foods That Harm Foods That Heal," green cabbage is identified by its dense head and green outer leaves. Red cabbages are just as dense but have leaves that are red or purple. This type is much higher in vitamin C than others. Savory cabbage has yellow-green ruffled outer leaves. It is higher in beta-carotene than other varieties. Bok choy, or Chinese cabbage, has a celery-like stalk of white leaves rather than a head. It is higher in calcium than the other types. Any type can be used as a key ingredient in your soup.
Function of Vitamin C
Cabbage is a member of the cruciferous family that includes broccoli and Brussels sprouts. High in fiber and low in calories, cabbage is a rich source of vitamin C. According to the American Dietetic Association, vitamin C does more than boost your immune system. Vitamin C helps form the connective tissue that holds many structures of your body together. It also keeps you capillaries healthy so you do not bruise easily. The Reader's Digest Association says vitamin C increases the absorption of iron.
Benefits of Anthocyanins
Red or purple cabbage is a source of anthocyanins which are pigment molecules that give cabbage its color. Anthocyanins belong to a group called flavonoids and are believed to act as powerful antioxidants. In "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth," Dr. Jonny Bowden claims anythocyanins have the strongest antioxidizing power of all the 150 flavonoids. Anthocyanins found in cabbage protect your body against the damages produced by toxins. It also acts by fighting free radicals which are linked to cardiovascular disease, inflammation and obesity.
Function of Water
A cabbage soup and water diet meets your daily requirements of fluids. Water is a primary ingredient of soup and cabbage is comprised of up to 90 percent water. According to the Reader's Digest Association, you should aim for a minimum eight to 10 glasses of water a day from water and high water content foods. Water is used for the digestion, absorption and transportation of nutrients throughout your body. It aids in the excretion of wastes and weight loss. Water in cabbage soup also helps to regulate body temperature.
Considerations
Cabbage is an excellent source of fiber. Consider increasing your intake of fiber slowly into your diet. Symptoms of high-fiber intake include gas, flatulence, bloating and abdominal cramps. The Reader's Digest Association recommends consuming between 25 to 35g fiber. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water every day in conjunction with fiber. Fiber absorbs the water to create soft, bulky stool for easier excretion. A high-fiber diet is associated with a lower risk of obesity and weight-related health problems.
References
- "The American Dietetic Association's Complete Food and Nutrition Guide"; The American Dietetic Association; 1996
- "The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition"; The University of California at Berkeley; 1992
- "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth"; Jonny Bowden, Ph. D., C.N.S.; 2007
- "Foods That Harm Foods That Heal"; The Reader's Digest Association;1997
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