Does fermented cabbage juice cure ulcer?

A message has gone viral on WhatsApp, suggesting that intake of fermented cabbage juice serves remedy to ulcer.

The post suggests that cabbage is very effective in the natural treatment of stomach ulcer as one can either eat it raw daily or make it into juice. It, however, adds that the best way to get enough of its healing properties is by juicing it.

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The post quotes someone as saying, “I drank fermented cabbage juice for 14 days for my stomach ulcer and got the healing result I had been seeking for a long time. With fermented cabbage juice, it is goodbye to ulcer,”

 Verdict: False

 What causes stomach ulcer?

 Stomach ulcer is medically referred to as an infection caused by the Helicobacter Pylori bacteria. 

Ulcers are sores that can develop in the lining of the stomach. According to medical research, every individual will in his or her lifetime have stomach ulcer.

It also adds that 50 per cent of these individuals will not have a need for medical treatment because their ulcers will come and resolve naturally.

However other items could cause stomach ulcer, including smoking, stress, excess alcohol consumption, excessive fatty and oil foods and constant use of anti-inflammatory medications.

Verification 

Checks by Daily Trust on Sunday show that conventionally, doctors use certain antibiotics targeted at killing bacteria to treat stomach ulcer, but sometimes, these antibiotics do not completely eradicate the bacteria, or they are not very effective.

There has also been a rise in information that there are foods that contain natural antibiotics and substances that help to completely treat this bacteria and help to heal stomach ulcer.

However, there is no scientific or medical evidence to show that fermented cabbage juice treats ulcer.

In a chat with Daily Trust on Sunday, a medical practitioner, Dr Precious Enyagberue, said most of the literatures on cabbage juice and ulcers dated back to 1930s and 1920s, far before “the drugs we have available today were around.”

He explained that these studies used almost a litre of cabbage juice daily, which was “a huge amount and likely to make people very gassy and uncomfortable.” 

He recommended that there is no medical research that shows that fermented cabbage juice cures stomach ulcer, as such, with most studies being outdated, it is advisable “ to take the drugs we have as we know that they are highly effective with minimal side effects.”

But 50 per cent of other individuals will seek medical help to heal or manage the discomfort associated with their stomach ulcers. It is of our interest to note that half of the mentioned individuals will successfully treat their stomach ulcers while the rest will not.

They will continue to manage it with the help of a medical doctor. This group of people doesn’t do without Antacid, Omeprazole and other ulcer kits. They live with the chronic pains associated with ulcers for the rest of their lives.

“There are science-backed homemade remedies for stomach ulcers. One of them is the use of fermented cabbage juice. You can say goodbye to all kinds of stomach ulcers in less than 14 days with this natural juice. I am a living witness.”

Also speaking, another medical practitioner, Dr Kachollom Damang also told Daily Trust on Sunday that although drinking cabbage juice likely offers several benefits, there are some potential side effects

He said, “Some evidence suggests that consuming cabbage in high amounts may affect your thyroid.”

Also, substances called goitrogens in cabbage can inhibit iodine transport to the thyroid, a process necessary for normal thyroid function.

“In fact, few studies have noted a correlation between cruciferous vegetable intake and the risk of thyroid cancer, although the results were somewhat inconclusive.

“Furthermore, goitrogens are found in higher amounts in raw cabbage, so those with thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism may choose to avoid consuming cabbage juice.

“However, a significant amount of research on cruciferous vegetables and disease prevention suggests that the benefits may outweigh the potential risks,” he said.

He further said there had not been any scientific or medical research so far related to intake of cabbage juice for healing stomach ulcer.

He advised Nigerians to seek medical help anytime they feel symptoms of stomach ulcer so that appropriate medication could be prescribed to them and not resort to intake of cabbage juice.

Conclusion: Following verification and medical views, Daily Trust on Sunday concludes that there is no scientific or medical research that suggests drinking fermented cabbage juice cures stomach ulcer; as such, the claim is false.