It helps increase the level of “good bacteria” in the digestive system.
The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). They are characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract and cause abdominal pain and transit disorders. Although there is no treatment yet to cure them, researchers at the University of Missouri in the United States have discovered that a juice prepared from a single vegetable can reduce their symptoms.
Their study published in the journal “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” was carried out on 60 mice divided into several groups. A first group was administered a placebo, another was inoculated with an agent reproducing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis (inflammatory disease of the large intestine), another received this agent and the famous drink as treatment and finally the last group was administered the drink alone. The researchers followed the weight of the mice, their survival, the severity of the colitis and the composition of their intestinal flora. Results showed that mice treated with the drink experienced better survival and minimal weight loss compared to untreated mice, suggesting that the juice helped maintain the animal’s overall health during intestinal inflammation. “These changes in the gut microbiota are associated with improved intestinal barrier function, enhanced colon repair and antioxidant effects, thereby attenuating intestinal damage and colon inflammation”declared Professor Satyanarayana Rachagani, lead author of the study, in a press release.
This surprising juice is that of red cabbage. Containing a wide range of bioactive compounds that improve digestive health, it produced an anti-inflammatory effect in the colon of mice. Red cabbage stimulated regulatory T cells of the immune system promoting anti-inflammatory immune balance. “It modifies the composition of the intestinal microbiota by increasing the abundance of good bacteria, which leads to increased production of fatty acids and other metabolites derived from bacteria that reduce inflammation” continues Professor Rachagani. Red cabbage thus seems to be a promising avenue for managing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (ulcerative colitis) while promoting a healthy intestinal environment: “These results provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of red cabbage in improving IBD. Its ability to modulate the intestinal microbiota, activate anti-inflammatory pathways and improve immune regulation highlights its potential as a valuable therapeutic agent for IBD and associated inflammatory disorders”concludes the researcher.