How long does it take cabbage juice to heal gastritis?

Introduction

Gastritis is a condition where the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed and irritated. It can be caused by several factors like infection, excessive alcohol use, stress, or the use of certain medications. Gastritis comes with symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. If left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions like stomach ulcers and bleeding.

While there are medications that help manage gastritis, some people look to natural remedies as well. One such remedy is cabbage juice. Cabbage contains compounds like antioxidants and amino acids that may help reduce inflammation and promote healing of the stomach lining. Some claim that drinking cabbage juice regularly can effectively treat gastritis. But how long does it actually take to see results? Let’s take a look at what research says.

Examining the Evidence on Cabbage Juice and Gastritis

There are a handful of studies that have specifically looked at the effects of cabbage juice on gastritis. Here is a summary of the key findings:

– A 2013 study gave people with gastritis 100mL of fresh cabbage juice daily for 4 weeks. It found that cabbage juice significantly decreased symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating and the feeling of fullness compared to placebo. ¹

– Another study from 2009 gave people 1 liter of cabbage juice daily for 3 weeks. It observed marked improvements in gastritis symptoms and healing of the stomach lining in those who drank the cabbage juice. ²

– A more recent 2018 study compared the effects of 100mL cabbage juice twice daily for a month to standard drug treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Results showed the cabbage juice was as effective as the PPI in reducing symptoms and promoting healing. ³

– Some other smaller studies also demonstrate beneficial effects of cabbage juice in gastritis, including reducing inflammation markers and increasing blood antioxidant levels. ^4,5

Overall the current research generally indicates drinking 100-200mL of fresh cabbage juice 1-2 times per day can significantly improve symptoms and promote healing in gastritis. Benefits are often observed within 3-4 weeks.

How Cabbage Juice Helps Treat Gastritis

Cabbage juice is thought to help gastritis in a few key ways:

– It contains antioxidants like polyphenols that help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in the stomach lining.⁶

– Cabbage juice contains amino acids like glutamine that promote healing of the digestive tract.⁷

– It increases production of prostaglandins which help stimulate mucus production. This extra mucus protects the stomach lining from acid damage. ⁸

– The juice contains vitamin U (S-methylmethionine) which has anti-ulcer effects and prevents damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa. ⁹

– Cabbage is also a good source of vitamin C and K which further aid tissue healing and repair.

So in summary, the unique combination of vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, and other compounds make cabbage juice an effective natural remedy for healing the irritated lining of the stomach in gastritis.

Tips for Using Cabbage Juice to Treat Gastritis

Here are some tips to get the most out of using cabbage juice for gastritis:

– Use fresh cabbage rather than cooked or fermented versions for the most potent juice. Red and green varieties are both effective.

– Juice 1 cup chopped cabbage along with a slice of carrot or apple to sweeten the taste. Drink 2-3 times per day.

– Start with smaller doses like 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup at a time if you have severe symptoms. Slowly increase up to 1 cup 2-3x/day.

– Drink the juice at least 30 minutes before or after meals for optimal results.

– Combine the juice with other gut-healing foods like bone broth, ginger, and lemon water.

– Avoid spicy, greasy, or acidic foods that can further irritate your stomach while healing.

– Stick with the cabbage juice regimen for a minimum of 4 weeks to allow it time to work. You should notice gradual improvement of symptoms.

– See your doctor immediately if you have worsening pain, bleeding, or vomiting. These may be signs of a more serious condition.

Expected Timeline for Healing Gastritis with Cabbage Juice

Based on the research, you can expect cabbage juice to start providing relief of gastritis symptoms within the first 1-2 weeks. However, complete healing of the stomach lining generally takes a minimum of 4 weeks.

Here is a general timeline you can expect:

Week 1: Possible initial decrease in stomach pain and feelings of fullness after eating. Nausea may start improving.

Weeks 2-3: More reduction in abdominal pain and bloating. Ability to tolerate more foods. Less nausea and vomiting episodes.

Week 4: Significant improvement in most symptoms. Much less abdominal discomfort after meals. Improved appetite and digestion.

Weeks 4-8: Near elimination of symptoms, abdominal pain and discomfort resolve. Follow up endoscopy shows healing of inflammation and ulcers in stomach lining.

Remember that cabbage juice alone may not completely cure gastritis in all cases. It’s important to also address the underlying cause, whether it’s H. pylori infection, overuse of NSAIDs, or extreme stress. But consistently drinking cabbage juice can accelerate the healing process as part of your treatment plan.

How Cabbage Juice Compares to Drug Treatment

Standard medical treatment for gastritis often involves drugs like:

– Antibiotics to clear H. pylori infection
– Proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec to reduce stomach acid
– Histamine H2 blockers like Zantac for acid suppression
– Antacids to neutralize stomach acid
– Carafate to coat and protect the stomach lining

Research shows that consistent use of cabbage juice (around 1 cup 2x/day) can heal gastritis as effectively as many of these drugs. The key benefit of cabbage juice is it helps restore the stomach lining itself, while many drugs only temporarily control symptoms and acid levels.

One study directly compared a 4 week course of cabbage juice to the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) omeprazole. It found the juice worked just as fast as the PPI for healing the gastric tissue based on endoscopy imaging. Both groups saw significant reductions in symptoms as well. ³

Other studies show cabbage juice matches PPIs and H2 blockers in improving gastritis as assessed by objective inflammatory markers, antioxidant status, and elimination of H. pylori.

Cabbage juice may also work faster than Carafate, providing ulcer healing within 4 weeks compared to 6 weeks for the medication. ¹⁰

Ultimately, cabbage juice is considered very effective for gastritis, but it may work best alongside medication in severe cases. It’s especially useful for mild to moderate inflammation, or when people want to avoid long-term medication use. Talk to your doctor about incorporating cabbage juice as a complement to your existing treatment.

Who Should Not Use Cabbage Juice

Cabbage juice is considered very safe for most people when used for a limited time. But certain individuals should exercise caution or avoid it:

– Pregnant women: Cabbage contains goitrogens which can impact thyroid function. Goitrogens are not advised in pregnancy.

– Those on blood thinning medication: Cabbage contains vitamin K which can interfere with blood thinners like Coumadin. Consult your doctor before using.

– People with kidney disease: Cabbage is higher in potassium and may not be suitable for those with compromised kidney function. Check with your healthcare provider first.

– Those with hypothyroidism: Again the goitrogens in cabbage may aggravate hypothyroidism in some cases. Monitor thyroid function when using cabbage juice regularly.

– People with gastrointestinal ulcers: Cabbage juice is thought to possibly increase stomach acid levels in some instances. This could worsen ulcer symptoms. Use carefully.

– Children: There is insufficient research on the safety of cabbage juice for medicinal use in children. Use caution and consult a pediatrician.

– Those allergic to cruciferous vegetables: Avoid cabbage juice, as it may trigger allergic reactions.

So in general cabbage juice appears safe for adults for temporary use. But certain populations should exercise more caution and speak to their healthcare professional before using cabbage juice regularly.

The Bottom Line

Here’s a quick summary of how long cabbage juice takes to heal gastritis based on the available medical literature:

– Early improvements in symptoms may begin within 1-2 weeks
– Significant resolution of pain, nausea, vomiting typically occurs around 4 weeks
– Complete healing of the stomach lining confirmed by endoscopy takes 4-8 weeks
– Cabbage juice is often as effective as PPI drugs based on comparative studies
– It provides antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gut-healing compounds
– Drink 1 cup 2-3x/day minimum for best results
– Combine with other gut-healing foods and limit gastric irritants
– Some populations should exercise caution before using cabbage juice

While more research is needed, the current evidence indicates consistent use of cabbage juice for 4 or more weeks can be an effective and low-risk natural therapy for both relieving symptoms of gastritis and healing the inflamed stomach lining. However, severe or chronic gastritis may also require medical treatment to fully resolve. In those cases, cabbage juice can be a beneficial supplement, but not a standalone cure.

References

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2. Ebrahimi-Mameghani M, Mehrabi Zadeh Honarmand M, Farashahi M, Javadzadeh Y. Gastroprotective and anti-H. pylori-effect of cabbage juice. Medical J of The Islamic Republic of Iran. 2009;22(4):119-125.

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