Korean fermented cabbage and vegetable dish, kimchi, has made its way onto the menus of many Westerners after studies revealed that it can improve levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Now, a new study has found that kimchi made with cabbage can reduce the risk of weight gain in men, while kimchi made with radishes can help both men and women fight excess kilograms.
The study, published in the journal BMJ Open, examined data from 115,726 individuals aged 40 to 69 in Korea, who were surveyed about their kimchi consumption using food questionnaires. The findings showed that men who consumed one to three servings of kimchi per day had an 11-12% lower risk of weight gain compared to those who ate less than one serving per day.
Meanwhile, those same men with higher consumption of cabbage kimchi (up to three servings per day) had a 10% lower risk of weight gain and excess abdominal and waist fat. The risk was also reduced by 8% for women in this kimchi category. For men and women who consumed radish kimchi, there was a reduced risk of approximately 9% for excess fat around the midsection and abdomen.
Experts said that there seems to be no real benefit to eating more than three servings per day, which suggests that people who consumed more than three servings of kimchi tended to eat more of other foods and had a higher risk of obesity.
Kimchi is made in various ways, but typically includes vegetables such as cabbage, radish, and onions, with the addition of spices such as red pepper powder, garlic, and ginger.
Previous studies have shown that "good" bacteria in fermented foods like kimchi are beneficial to the intestines and can affect weight.
The researchers raised concerns about the sodium content in kimchi and said, "Since kimchi is one of the main sources of sodium consumption, it is recommended to consume it in moderate amounts for the other health benefits of its other components."