Cabbage is nutritious and safe for most people, so “4 types of people who should avoid cabbage” is too strong. There are, however, some situations where someone may need to limit it or discuss their intake with a clinician.
4 groups who may need caution
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People taking warfarin
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Cabbage contains vitamin K, which can affect warfarin’s action.
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Usually, the important point is to keep vitamin-K intake consistent, rather than completely avoid cabbage. Don’t change your diet dramatically without discussing it with your healthcare professional.
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People with IBS or sensitivity to FODMAPs
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Cabbage can cause gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, or diarrhea in some people, particularly in larger amounts.
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Individual tolerance varies.
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People with certain thyroid conditions
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Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables contain compounds called goitrogens. Normal amounts of cooked cabbage are generally not a problem for most people, but people with thyroid disease should discuss unusually large amounts or concentrated preparations with their clinician.
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People who develop an allergic reaction to cabbage
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This is uncommon, but symptoms such as hives, swelling, vomiting, wheezing, or difficulty breathing after eating cabbage warrant medical attention. Difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat is an emergency.
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For most people, cabbage does not need to be avoided. Cooking it can also make it easier to tolerate if raw cabbage causes digestive symptoms.
