A study conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Ulsan has found that regular consumption of kimchi, as part of a calorie-controlled diet, can reduce body weight, abdominal fat, and index body fat in both overweight and obese individuals. The study also suggests that fermented kimchi may be a medicinal food due to its beneficial bacteria and its ability to regulate the gut-brain axis. Additionally, it was found that consuming kimchi can reduce neuroinflammation in the brain which may help with obesity. This suggests novel mechanisms for reducing body weight in overweight and obese individuals.
The Surprising Benefits of Kimchi
Recent studies have found that consuming foods like kimchi, which are fermented and probiotic-rich, can reduce difficult fat and reduce neuroinflammation of the brain. A study done on mice showed that kimchi consumption reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to improved cognitive function. Furthermore, it was found that even with just eating Kimchi, beneficial effects were still seen. Other studies show many other benefits associated with eating fermented foods such as probiotic supplements and functional foods in general. For example, these can lead to improved cognitive function and weight fat mass gain. (1)
Anti-Inflammatory Compounds
Research shows that kimchi reduces difficult fat and reduces neuroinflammation of the brain. Interestingly, it has been found to reduce inflammatory compounds and decrease inflammation. Additionally, it is known to reduce stubborn belly fat, which is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other additional health issues.
Kimchi contains high levels of antioxidants which can help release excessive fat cells from the body. A mouse study has found that kimchi consumption leads to a decrease in inflammatory compounds released by cells. This suggests that kimchi can help reduce inflammation in the body, leading to improved health outcomes for those who carry excess belly fat. (2)
Probiotics
Research shows that kimchi may have potential health benefits due to its probiotic properties, such as reducing difficult fat and reducing neuroinflammation of the brain. Kimchi contains live bacteria, which can help protect your cells from oxidative stress. Many potential health benefits have been linked to kimchi, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This makes it a great source of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
The Study
A study of mice obese mice that ate fermented foods, such as kimchi, evaluated the ability of kimchi to suppress obesity induced inflammation over a 10-week study period. The mice were given a high fat diet and the researchers observed that those who consumed more fermented products had lower levels of immune cell activation. They also observed a 31.8 % reduction in several inflammatory proteins, suggesting successful suppression of inflammation. (3)
This is important for reducing weight gain as well as improving overall health. Furthermore, the researchers also found that consuming kimchi increased microbiome diversity in the gut microbiome, which can help cells to better regulate levels of inflammatory markers and reduce inflammation. In conclusion, consuming more fermented foods like cabbage kimchi can be beneficial for reducing inflammation and suppressing weight gain.
The Benefits Of Eating Kimchi
Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made of fermented cabbage. Kimchi is high in nutrients and has been linked to a number of health benefits, including improved immune function and reduced inflammation. It may also help reduce the risk of various diseases, including heart disease. There are many benefits to eating the fermented cabbage dish. These include (4):
- It is a great dish with a great nutritional profile and contains many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Vegetables like cabbage and green vegetables provide essential nutrients such as iron, folate, and vitamins B6.
- The kimchi fermentation process also helps to increase probiotics in the gut which helps to fight off harmful bacteria.
- Cabbage and celery provide additional nutrients such as calcium and potassium
- As an amazing by-product of the fermentation process, kimchi has a low calorie content which can help with weight loss efforts while providing essential nutrients.
- Kimchi has been found to improve immune function and help fight against inflammation and disease. It can boost lactobacillus bacteria, similar to what is found in yogurt, which helps certain species of bacteria and can improve users’ overall immune system.
- It is rich in carotene and other antioxidant compounds, which can help reduce the risk of serious health conditions such as stroke, cancer and diabetes.
- Its high content of beta carotene may help lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Kimchi contains healthy amounts of fat even though it is low in calories, which helps to regulate blood pressure levels.
Eating plenty of kimchi may also be beneficial for reducing inflammation, preventing yeast infections, and countering inflammatory processes. This is due to the probiotics and active compounds in kimchi, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that help strengthen the immune system and boost your immune health. Other fermented foods like sauerkraut and miso can provide similar benefits as kimchi, as they are also rich in probiotics.
The Bottom Line
Eating kimchi is one of the best ways to get a good source of probiotic-rich foods, with its fermentation process allowing it to be rich in natural antioxidants and nutrients like vitamins A, C, B1 and B2. Eating kimchi can help prevent common digestive issues such as constipation, and provides cabbage which helps keep the immune system strong. It also helps with other illnesses like cancer as it contains healthy bacteria which help keep our bodies in a healthy condition. Kimchi also helps with the absorption of vitamin C from other foods like yogurt, making it an excellent dietary choice for those looking to get more nutrients into their diet.
Sources
- “Fermented kimchi reduces body weight and improves metabolic parameters in overweight and obese patients.” PubMed. Eun Kyoung Kim, et al. June 2011.
- “Kimchi, a Fermented Vegetable, Improves Serum Lipid Profiles in Healthy Young Adults: Randomized Clinical Trial.” NCBI. In Hwa Choi, et al. March 2013.
- “Anti-obesity Effects of Kimchi in Diet-induced Obese Mice.” Research Gate. August 2015.
- “9 Surprising Benefits of Kimchi.” Healthline. Cecilia Snyder, MS, SD. January 15, 2021.