Kimchi (Korean fermented vegetable) attenuates liver damage through improving lipid metabolism and suppressing apoptosis in high cholesterol diet-fed mice (2024)

FAQs

Is kimchi bad for your liver? ›

Kimchi also helped sustain healthy liver function. Levels of AST and ALT, which are indicators of liver damage, were both lower in the kimchi group. Elevated AST and ALT levels are generally associated with damaged liver cells caused by hepatitis, fatty liver, and hepatocirrhosis.

Probiotics may improve heart health by reducing cholesterol and inflammation. The fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients in kimchi can also help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, which can boost heart health. Early research suggests kimchi may strengthen your immune system.

Numerous studies have shown that a diet high in fermented foods, such as kimchi, has proven health benefits, such as increasing microbiome diversity and reducing inflammation. Another study, published in April in the Journal of Ethnic Foods, found that kimchi can be an effective treatment aid for obesity.

Great For Your Skin And Anti-Ageing

Kimchi is high in vitamin C, which is responsible for collagen production. This protein keeps the skin youthful, maintains its firmness, reduces wrinkles, and slows the ageing process.

Another consideration is the high sodium content in kimchi. People at risk of high blood pressure might have concerns about the high salt content of this food.

What happens when you eat too much kimchi? Since kimchi is fermented and spicy, you might experience uncomfortable gastric repercussions. Usually those with IBS or other gastrointestinal issues are more prone to sensitivity, especially since kimchi is also spicy.

Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods

Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.

Along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, kimchi contains natural probiotic bacteria. If you eat them regularly, the probiotics in fermented foods can be beneficial to your gut microbiome. Studies suggest that eating kimchi on a daily basis could help to improve some digestive problems.

In summary, fermented vegetables such as kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented soy products, and beverages such as fermented teas are garnering attention as a source of natural anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds.

People who regularly eat the fermented vegetable dish kimchi — up to three times daily — may lower their risk of obesity. That's according to a study published today in the journal BMJ Open.

Is store-bought kimchi healthy? ›

Kimchi has an excellent nutritional profile. The dish is low in calories but packed with nutrients like iron, folate, and vitamins B6 and K.

The most common reaction to fermented foods is a temporary increase in gas and bloating. This is the result of excess gas being produced after probiotics kill harmful gut bacteria and fungi. Probiotics secrete antimicrobial peptides that kill harmful pathogenic organisms like Salmonella and E. Coli.

That saucy cabbage we know as kimchi may help you in your weight loss journey with a new study in BMJ Open suggesting that three servings of it in a day is linked to a lower rate of obesity, particularly abdominal or belly fat.

Histological analysis of the liver tissue revealed a remarkable decrease of fat deposition in the kimchi group, compared with that in the control group (Fig. 1(A)). The concentrations of hepatic TG and TC in the kimchi group were lower than that in the control group by 26.34% (Fig. 1(B), p < 0.05) and 38.89% (Fig.

Slows down the aging process

Koreans may have found the fountain of youth. Scientists have speculated that their famously smooth skin and youthful appearance may be attributable to their diet. Kimchi, with its high antioxidant content, may help slow down the process of aging.

Kombucha is a fermented tea. Although more research is needed, animal and test-tube studies suggest that it could help protect the liver, decrease blood sugar, and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Well-fermented kimchi is sour, so is beneficial to the gallbladder and liver. Kimchi has vitamins A, B, and C but most importantly, it contains Lactobacillus, a probiotic similar to that found in yoghurt.