Reasons Why Cabbage Can Cause Stomach Pain

1. It Can Be Hard to Digest

If you regularly experience cabbage-induced stomach pain, that may be because cabbage is hard to digest.

But why does cabbage give you gas, exactly? The leafy green contains a complex sugar called raffinose, which can be difficult to digest and cause gas, bloating and stomach pain as your body breaks it down, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Other high-raffinose foods that give you gas include:

  • Beans
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Broccoli
  • Asparagus
  • Whole grains like brown rice and whole-wheat bread

Another reason for cabbage-related gas pain is the vegetable's high fiber content: One cup of raw chopped cabbage has approximately 2.2 grams of fiber, according to the USDA.

While fiber is an essential nutrient that supports good digestion, eating too much too quickly can lead to gas, bloating and cramping, per the Mayo Clinic.

Fix it: To avoid gas from excess fiber, slowly work cabbage and other high- fiber foods into your regular diet over the course of a few weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Try These Cooked Cabbage Recipes

  • Roasted Red Cabbage Salad with Pomegranate
  • Curried Cabbage Pockets
  • Sweet and Sour Acorn Squash and Cabbage

2. It's Contaminated

Now you know that cabbage does cause gas for some. But if your cabbage stomach pain is accompanied by symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, you may have food poisoning, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).

  • Cramping
    • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Overall weakness

Fix it: Avoid foodborne illness by thoroughly washing your hands, utensils, surfaces and foods, per the NLM. Cooking your food and refrigerating perishable dishes can also help prevent food poisoning.

Tip

Talk to your doctor if you have food poisoning that causes diarrhea for more than five days, have bloody stools or can't keep fluids down, per the NLM.

3. You Have an Underlying Digestive Disease

If you have an underlying digestive disorder like irritable bowel syndrome or SIBO, eating difficult-to-digest foods may lead to unpleasant symptoms like gas, bloating, nausea or heartburn, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Indeed, cruciferous veggies like cabbage are more likely to cause gas, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Fix it: Visit your doctor to diagnose and treat your digestive condition. They can help you determine which foods are best for you and which to avoid to prevent stomach pain and other symptoms. If you have blood in your stool, visit your doctor right away, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Read more on: livestrong