A new study confirms the anti-obesity effects of this Korean fermented dish.
- Rich in probiotics, kimchi is often studied for its ability to influence the intestinal microbiota.
- In cases of obesity, consumption of this Korean fermented delicacy significantly reduces body fat and improves lipid profiles.
- In addition, it increases the proportion of the beneficial intestinal bacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila, while reducing that of proteobacteria linked to obesity.
Composed of fermented vegetables and seasoned with spices, kimchi is an increasingly popular dish. Beyond its taste benefits, the latter is known for its benefits on the intestinal flora thanks to its probiotics. But that’s not all, scientists from the National University Hospital in Pusan (South Korea), recently revealed that this fermented food shows promise as part of a dietary approach to combating obesity, which East “caused by energy imbalance and leads to metabolic syndrome and disease.”
Obesity: kimchi is good for weight loss and intestinal health
To reach this conclusion, the researchers carried out a study in which they examined changes in anthropometric measurements, blood biomarkers and gut microbiomes of 90 overweight adults, specifically with a BMI between 23 and 30 kg /m². Participants consumed three kimchi capsules, or 60 g per day, or lactose-containing capsules per meal for three months. The products “contained kimchi powder produced by freeze-drying fermented cabbage kimchi at 4℃” for two weeks.
The results, published in the journal Journal of Functional Foodsshowed that volunteers who consumed kimchi had a 2.6% decrease in body fat. Among adults who received the placebo, a 4.7% increase in body fat was observed. “The first group showed a significant reduction in body fat compared to the placebo group.” Additionally, analysis of patients’ microbiota revealed that kimchi consumption led to an increase in the abundance of the beneficial gut bacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila, and a reduction in the number of proteobacteria, which are associated with obesity.
Kimchi, a “global health food”
“This scientific evidence will help to widely publicize the excellent properties of kimchi, laying the foundation for the growth of kimchi as a well-known health food around the world. We will continue to devote our time, efforts and resources to scientific research to enhance the functional health properties of kimchi, improving gastrointestinal health in addition to its immune-boosting and anti-cancer effects, thus firmly establishing kimchi’s role as a global health food,” declared Hae-Choon Changdirector of the World Kimchi Institute.
