Adding raw cabbage to your diet is a proven, healthy, and simple way to lose weight.
Many prominent medical experts and health care institutions in Japan advocate people with diabetes or obesity eat cabbage because it supports weight loss and reduces blood sugar levels.
Professor Koichiro Fujita, a prominent figure in immunology, eats a small serving of vinegar-dressed cabbage before every meal, resulting in improvements in body weight, gout, and severe diabetes. Additionally, a respiratory specialist has reported a significant 44-pound (20 kg) weight loss over three months by including cabbage in the pre-meal routine.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, every 100 g of raw cabbage contains approximately 30 calories, 0.96 grams of protein, and various minerals—including 42 milligrams (mg) of calcium, 13.9 mg of magnesium, 27 mg of phosphorus, 207 mg of potassium, 16 mg of sodium, 0.21 mg of zinc—and 40.3 mg of vitamin C.
Doctor Heals Himself
Mr. Fujita initially worked as a plastic surgeon but later shifted his focus to immunology, becoming a specialist in the field. However, despite his expertise in immunology, he did not prioritize his own health. Before turning fifty, he did not restrict his diet, ate whatever he desired, and enjoyed alcohol whenever he pleased. Consequently, he developed diabetes, gout, and hair loss.
Mr. Fujita suffered two diabetic emergencies. The first occurrence was in 2000, and he showed improvement after being treated with insulin. However, in 2010, his health deteriorated again and his blood sugar levels spiked at 450 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl)—four times the healthy maximum of 110 mg/dl. At 5 feet 10 inches tall, he weighed in at 194 pounds.
Diabetes is a multifactorial chronic disease stemming from genetic and lifestyle factors. The number of Type 2 diabetes patients is increasing worldwide. According to data from the International Diabetes Federation, 537 million adults (20 to 79 years) are living with diabetes. This number is predicted to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. In 2021 alone, diabetes caused 6.7 million deaths—one death every 5 seconds.
To regain his health, Mr. Fujita decided to lose weight. After trying various methods and conducting research, he chose to eat more cabbage to restrict his sugar intake. He would eat a small bowl of cabbage, approximately 3.5 ounces, before meals. Sometimes he would eat it raw, and occasionally marinated in vinegar.
After eating cabbage for two weeks, his blood sugar levels dropped to 90 mg/dL. Two months later, his triglyceride levels decreased from 300 mg/dL to 150 mg/dL (the standard value is below 150 mg/dL). After four months, his hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level dropped from nearly 11 to 6 percent.
During this process, he also experienced significant weight loss, shedding up to 33 pounds. Additionally, he found relief from several chronic conditions such as gout and fatty liver, leading to a noticeable improvement in his overall health.
By Ellen Wan
