Kimchi is a staple in Korean cuisine. The spiced and shaved cabbage dish is relished as a pre-appettiser or even as a snack. It is a fermented delicacy and is known to improve gut health along with many other health benefits.
A recent study weighed in on the benefits of kimchi like better gut and weight loss. Read on to know all about the study and how kimchi can contribute to your weight loss efforts.
Kimchi can help you lose weight and improve gut health
The study in case intended to examine the scope of kimchi’s impact on the gut microbiome, which houses trillions of microorganisms, and to assess changes in the body fat composition.
The research was conducted with 55 overweight adults, both male and female, with a BMI ranging between 23 and 30 kg/m². The participants were divided into groups—one group was instructed to consume three kimchi capsules (equivalent to 60 grams of kimchi) with each meal for three months.
After three months, those who ate kimchi on a regular basis experienced a noticeable reduction in body fat mass, with an approximate decrease of 2.6 percent.
Dr. Hae-Choon Chang, the director of the World Institute of Kimchi, who was not directly involved in the study, spoke with Hindustan Times. He elaborated that both preclinical and clinical research have proven kimchi’s anti-obesity effects, offering reliable scientific evidence that highlights its potential as a globally recognized health-promoting food.
5 Other health benefits of eating kimchi
Apart from better gut health and weight loss, there are many other benefits of kimchi that makes it an essential staple. Here are some of them:
1. Kimchi is nutrient-sense
Chinese cabbage, which is one of the primary ingredients in kimchi, offers Vitamins A and C, at least 10 different minerals, and over 34 amino acids. It also contains Vitamin K in abundance. Vitamin K plays an important role in many bodily functions, including bone metabolism and blood clotting.
2. Kimchi can help manage blood sugar
The Lactobacillus bacterium in kimchi may boost your immunity. A study conducted on mice claimed that kimchi and other fermented foods that contain lactobacillus plantarum can help boost immune health.
5. Kimchi can help slow down aging
As mentioned before, kimchi has anti-inflammatory effects. Chronic inflammation is not only linked with numerous illnesses and disorders but also speeds up the aging process. Kimchi can prolong cell life by slowing down this process.
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Read More: Study: Kimchi Can Help With Gut Health & Weight Loss; 5 More Benefits Of Eating It Daily
