Red cabbage juice appears to be a natural and effective treatment for diet-related inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In addition, consumption offers other health benefits.
A new study involving experts from the University of Missouri examined the molecular mechanism by which red cabbage juice modulates the intestinal flora of mice to relieve dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. The results were published in the English-language journal “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”.
Red cabbage good for the heart and intestines
Red cabbage is very healthy. There are already numerous studies that point to the benefits of eating red cabbage. Among other things, red cabbage is known to offer these health benefits: It protects against cardiovascular disease, promotes intestinal health and supports weight loss.
Previous research has concluded that red cabbage helps the body detoxify, boosts the immune system, relieves constipation and is beneficial for skin and gut health.
Red cabbage juice increases cell viability
But not only red cabbage, but also the juice made from it promotes health. It has already been proven that red cabbage juice contains so-called CY3D5G derivatives, which significantly improve the viability of cells.
Red cabbage juice increases the survival rate of the commonly used model organism Caenorhabditis elegans during oxidative stress and extends its average lifespan, according to the results of a study published in the specialist magazine “Antioxidants”.
Red cabbage juice for inflammatory bowel disease?
The current study now links consumption of red cabbage juice to other health benefits, particularly in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
The main symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include acute abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia and diarrhea, the researchers explain. In extreme cases, the disease, if left untreated, could also increase the risk of premature death.
Why is red cabbage juice healthy for the intestines?
Red cabbage juice contains a variety of bioactive compounds that have been proven to improve intestinal health and relieve symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. The team has now investigated the mechanisms by which the juice develops its effect against intestinal inflammation using mice that were given red cabbage juice every day.
For this purpose, the effects on the body weight, the composition of the intestinal microbiota, the integrity of the intestinal barrier, the risk of disease and the survival rate of the mice were recorded.
This is how red cabbage juice works
“Red cabbage juice alters the composition of the gut microbiota by increasing the number of good bacteria, which leads to increased production of short-chain fatty acids and other bacterial-derived metabolites that reduce inflammation,” explains study author Satyanarayana Rachagani in a recent press release.
The juice increases the number of healthy bacteria in the intestines. This activates an anti-inflammatory receptor in the colon of the mice.
The team also explains that the juice increases the number of so-called regulatory T cells, which promote an anti-inflammatory immune balance and reduce inflammation in the colon.
Use red cabbage juice for treatment?
Since ulcerative colitis in mice is very similar to human ulcerative colitis, the researchers believe the results could provide valuable information about the benefits of red cabbage juice for people with ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
The ability of red cabbage juice to modulate intestinal flora, activate anti-inflammatory metabolic pathways and improve immune regulation underscores its potential as a valuable therapeutic agent in inflammatory bowel disease and related inflammatory diseases.
“These changes in the gut microbiota are associated with improved intestinal barrier function, improved colon repair and antioxidant effects, ultimately mitigating intestinal damage and colon inflammation,” emphasizes Rachagani.
The bioactive ingredients promote the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria and red cabbage juice is an excellent source of fiber, which further increases its positive effects on intestinal health. (as)
