Experts Warn Against Extreme Cabbage Diet Despite White House Popularity

The cabbage diet has recently gained attention after reports that the U.S. Vice President and other senior officials adopted it, sparking a social media trend. Proponents claim it helps reduce belly fat and promotes rapid weight loss. However, nutrition experts caution that the reality is more complex.

Inbal Katz Friedlander, a regional dietitian at Clalit Health Services in central Israel, explains that cabbage is nutritionally beneficial, composed of about 92% water and low in calories, with essential vitamins like C, K, and B-complex, as well as dietary fiber and minerals. Fermented forms such as sauerkraut and kimchi also provide probiotics that may support gut health and immunity.

Despite these benefits, Katz Friedlander emphasizes there is no scientific evidence that cabbage alone targets belly fat. Initial rapid weight loss during the diet is mainly due to fluid loss and glycogen depletion from calorie restriction, not fat burning. She also warns that excessive cabbage intake can cause digestive discomfort like bloating and gas due to high fiber content.

Moreover, the modern version of the diet, which includes fermented cabbage alongside salty cheeses and fatty meats, may lead to high sodium and saturated fat consumption. This can increase blood pressure, strain the kidneys, and harm heart health. Katz Friedlander concludes that while cabbage is a healthy food to include in daily meals, sustainable weight loss requires a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle rather than extreme diets promising quick results.