Side Effects of Cabbage Diet
The main side effects of the cabbage soup diet include:
Gas, Bloating and Abdominal Pain: Cabbage, like other cruciferous vegetables, can cause gas, bloating and abdominal pain when consumed in excess. The more cabbage soup consumed, the greater the risk of experiencing these symptoms.
Exhaustion, Hunger and Fatigue: The cabbage soup diet severely restricts calories and lacks adequate fat and protein. This can lead to intense hunger, tiredness and an inability to perform normal daily activities.
Heart and Electrolyte Problems: Consuming fewer than 800 calories per day, as the cabbage soup diet does, is associated with irregular heart rhythms and electrolyte imbalances that can be dangerous, especially for those with a history of heart disease.
Emotional Effects: The severe calorie restriction and deprivation from normal foods can negatively impact emotional wellbeing, leading to poor self-esteem, anxiety, depression and increased risk of eating disorders.
Weight Gain: The cabbage soup diet is ineffective for long-term weight loss, as most of the initial weight lost is just water weight that quickly returns once normal eating resumes.
In summary, the cabbage soup diet poses numerous health risks including digestive issues, lack of energy, heart problems, emotional distress and weight cycling. Experts advise against this highly restrictive and unsustainable diet plan.