Herb & supplement monograph

Cabbage Soup Diet Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated June 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Cabbage Soup Diet interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Cabbage Soup Diet is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Cabbage Soup Diet is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Cabbage Soup Diet

0 medications have a known interaction with Cabbage Soup Diet, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Cabbage Soup Diet. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Cabbage Soup Diet combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Monograph

Cabbage Soup Diet: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed June 2026 ·
The bottom line

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a very low-calorie, 7-day fad diet built around eating large amounts of a cabbage-based soup. It may cause quick water and weight loss, but the loss is usually temporary, the diet is not nutritionally balanced, and most people regain the weight. It is not a healthy long-term plan, and people should talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying it.

Common forms
Homemade cabbage-based soup eaten as part of a fixed 7-day meal plan
People commonly use it for
  • Rapid short-term weight loss
  • Quick jump-start before an event
  • Detox or cleanse beliefs
  • Kickstarting a longer diet

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

It is very low in calories and nutrients and is only meant for a short time, so it is not suitable for everyone.

PregnancyBest avoided

Pregnancy needs steady, balanced nutrition, so this very low-calorie diet should be avoided.

BreastfeedingBest avoided

Nursing mothers need adequate calories and nutrients, so this restrictive diet should be avoided.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a popular short-term fad diet, not an herb or supplement. It is built around eating large amounts of a homemade soup made mostly from cabbage, along with other vegetables like onions, tomatoes, peppers, and celery.

The plan usually lasts about 7 days. Each day has its own rules, allowing certain extra foods such as specific fruits, vegetables, or small amounts of meat on top of the unlimited soup. The idea is to eat very few calories for a week to lose weight quickly.

The diet has circulated for decades through word of mouth, magazines, and the internet. There is no official version, and there is no single company or medical group behind it.

Uses & effectiveness

People mainly use the Cabbage Soup Diet for fast, short-term weight loss, often before a vacation, wedding, or other event. Some also believe it "detoxes" the body, though there is no good evidence to support detox claims.

Because the diet is very low in calories, many people do lose some weight in a week. However, much of this early loss is water weight, not fat. Once a person returns to normal eating, the weight usually comes back quickly.

There is little to no quality scientific research studying the Cabbage Soup Diet itself. Nutrition experts generally agree that any short-term, very-low-calorie diet can cause quick weight loss, but lasting results come from steady, balanced eating habits over time, not from a one-week plan.

How it works

The Cabbage Soup Diet works simply by cutting calories sharply. When you eat far fewer calories than your body uses, you lose weight in the short term.

The soup is mostly water and low-calorie vegetables, so you can eat a lot of it and still take in very few calories. Cabbage and other vegetables also provide fiber, which can help you feel full.

The early weight loss is largely from losing water and stored carbohydrate (glycogen) rather than body fat. This is why the weight often returns once normal eating resumes. There is no special "fat-burning" power in cabbage despite popular claims.

Safety & precautions

The Cabbage Soup Diet is meant only for a short time, usually no more than a week. It is very low in calories, protein, and several important nutrients, so it should not be repeated often or extended.

People who should be especially cautious or avoid it include those with diabetes, low blood sugar, eating disorders, kidney or heart problems, or anyone who is older, underweight, or recovering from illness. Children and teens should not follow it.

Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid this diet, because they need steady, balanced nutrition and enough calories. Anyone taking prescription medicines or managing a health condition should talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting any very-low-calorie diet.

Side effects

Because it is so low in calories and nutrients, the Cabbage Soup Diet can cause hunger, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and trouble concentrating. Some people feel light-headed, especially when standing up.

The high amount of cabbage and vegetables can cause gas, bloating, and digestive upset. Some people also report headaches or irritability.

Following the diet for too long, or repeating it often, can lead to nutrient gaps and loss of muscle. If you feel very unwell, faint, or have a fast or irregular heartbeat, stop the diet and seek medical care.

Dosing

There is no official or standardized version of the Cabbage Soup Diet. Most plans last about 7 days, with unlimited cabbage soup plus a short list of allowed foods that changes each day.

Because the diet is not nutritionally balanced, experts advise against following it longer than a week or repeating it back-to-back. A common suggestion is to wait at least a couple of weeks before trying it again, if at all.

Rather than relying on a strict fad diet, talk to a doctor, pharmacist, or registered dietitian about a balanced eating plan you can stick with safely over time.

References & further reading

The 2 sources that drive our Cabbage Soup Diet monograph — publicly available pages from reputable medical and government organizations. Every link was verified to work before publishing.

  1. Cabbage Soup Diet — MedlinePlus (NIH) Source
  2. Healthy Weight Loss — CDC Source
Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Cabbage Soup Diet: Common Questions

Does Cabbage Soup Diet interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Cabbage Soup Diet. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Cabbage Soup Diet interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Cabbage Soup Diet with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Cabbage Soup Diet interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
Does the Cabbage Soup Diet really make you lose weight?
Many people lose a few pounds in a week because the diet is very low in calories, but much of that is water weight that usually returns once you eat normally again.
Is the Cabbage Soup Diet healthy?
It is not a balanced diet. It is low in calories, protein, and several nutrients, so it is only meant for short-term use and is not a healthy long-term plan.
Can I do the Cabbage Soup Diet while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Pregnant and breastfeeding people need steady, balanced nutrition and enough calories, so this very low-calorie diet should be avoided.
How long can I stay on the Cabbage Soup Diet?
It is usually limited to about 7 days. Staying on it longer or repeating it often can lead to nutrient gaps, fatigue, and loss of muscle.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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