Q. I’ve heard a lot about the cabbage diet. How exactly does it work to help with weight loss?

I remember my own ambitious attempt at a cabbage diet in the past—it wasn’t as simple as it seemed! However, there are clear medical reasons why cabbage aids weight loss. From a Western medical perspective, its abundant dietary fiber swells in the gut by absorbing water, keeping you full longer. This prevents rapid spikes in blood sugar and regulates insulin, the hormone responsible for fat storage. Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) looks at this process through the lens of internal balance. Many individuals who struggle with weight loss often suffer from 'Biheo' (Spleen Deficiency). When digestive function is weak, metabolic byproducts called 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid) or 'Seupdam' (damp-phlegm) accumulate in the body. These wastes cause edema and eventually settle as stubborn fat. Cabbage strengthens the Stomach Qi and facilitates the downward discharge of these wastes, helping the body detoxify naturally. Furthermore, for busy professionals in their 30s to 50s who often deal with chronic gastritis due to stress, the Vitamin U in cabbage protects the gastric mucosa, preventing the heartburn often associated with dieting. However, a word of caution: if you have a 'cold' constitution or a cold lower abdomen, relying solely on raw cabbage may harm your 'Biwi' (Spleen and Stomach) and worsen indigestion. To determine if cabbage is truly the right solution for your specific body type, I recommend a clinical consultation so we can find a personalized method that works for you.