7 Benefits of Eating Kimchi

There’s nothing like indulging in a meal that tastes good and is full of numerous benefits, right?

Fermented foods like Korean Kimchi are full of the good bacteria responsible for keeping things running smoothly in our gut and have gained a well-deserved reputation for doing wonders for digestive health. In addition to this great discovery, studies have shown that kimchi contains many vital nutrients that contribute to one's overall well-being.

As many of us vow to become healthier versions of ourselves by being more conscious about what we eat, Kimchi (once a hidden power food) is now gaining popularity amongst those actively looking for mouth-watering meals without compromising their nutritional value!

What is Kimchi?

Kimichi is a traditional Korean sauerkraut dish full of fermented, pickled vegetables with a slight spice. It’s fast become a popular ingredient for many meals in East Asian cuisine and has now acquired a vast amount of admiration worldwide.

What is Kimchi Made Of?

Essentially, kimchi is made up of salted fermented vegetables, salt, and spice, along with ginger, garlic and chilli pepper. Usually, kimchi is fermented from a few days to a few weeks. The traditional vegetables used to make kimchi are napa cabbage, carrots and radish. However, other foods can also be used to make kimchi, such as cucumber, celery, beetroot, bamboo shoots, eggplant, broccoli, and even apples!

Our Kimchi Recipe offers an easy step-by-step guide to delicious homemade kimchi if you want to learn how to make your own.

What Does Kimchi Taste Like?

Generally speaking, kimchi has a sour taste to it due to the fermentation it undertakes, along with a slightly spicy aroma. With that in mind, taste can vary depending on the vegetables used. Kimchi plays an essential role in being the key ingredient for many Asian dishes, as it tastes great without being overpowering.

Is Kimchi Good For You?

The short answer is yes. Kimchi is good for you. Thanks to the fermentation process, kimchi is full of superb probiotics that contribute to a healthy digestive system. But that’s not all kimchi is good for! Here are the range of benefits kimchi has to offer:

Good For Your Gut

As you already know, kimchi is a wonderful food that can help to heal your gut. Its high probiotic content is full of live bacteria such as lactobacillus (also found in yoghurt, kefir and sourdough). These lactic acid bacteria are known to improve your gut's microbial flora, which helps prevent and improve gastrointestinal diseases by suppressing the growth of pathogens and bad bacteria and fighting inflammation. A healthy gut flora has also been linked to a happier state of mind, which may benefit mental health positively.

Improves Heart Health

Studies have shown that increasing the amount of probiotics in your diet can also improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) by breaking down cholesterol and preventing it from being absorbed. This protects blood vessels from plaque build-up, allowing them to function freely without restriction. Fermented foods like kimchi have also been shown to aid weight loss and lower blood pressure, which support heart health.

Boosts Your Immune System

Gut health is integral to the overall health of your body, and a better gut means a better immune system. Kimchi is a nutrient-dense food that allows your body to protect itself against illnesses and diseases by regulating your immune system. Kimchi contains many vital vitamins and minerals that support many bodily functions. Here’s the nutritional profile of kimchi:

• Vitamin C (helps the body heal)
• Vitamin A (supports vision)
• Vitamin B (converts food into energy)
• Vitamin K (good for bone health, controls calcium levels and supports necessary blood clotting when injured)
• Calcium (for strong bones and teeth and helps nerves carry messages to the brain)
• Iron (helps blood carry oxygen)
• Phosphorous (helps growth and repair of cells)
• Selenium (helps make DNA and protects against infections and cell damage)

Supports Weight Loss

As mentioned, kimchi is an excellent food choice to help you slim down, thanks to its low-calorie count and ability to positively change blood sugar levels. Research also shows that eating fermented kimchi decreases one's body fat percentage more effectively than eating the non-fermented, fresh ingredients that makeup kimchi.

May Prevent Yeast Infections

The probiotic bacteria found in kimchi, lactobacillus, is also the dominant bacteria in the female reproductive system. It prevents the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and yeast and keeps everything in balance down there. Incorporating these good beneficial bacteria into your diet may help prevent uncomfortable yeast infections and improve the health of your reproductive organs.

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. Our previous blog highlights the Best Korean Foods To Improve Skin Health, which may help towards smooth, glowing skin.

Help Lower Your Blood Sugar

One of the main ingredients in kimchi is garlic, which is full of selenium and allicin. Both of which have anti-oxidant properties and aid in lowering blood sugar. A stable blood glucose can improve mood, regulate hormones, reduce cravings, aid weight loss, stabilise energy (reducing sudden spikes and sudden lows), increase focus, and even reverse insulin resistance.

Now you know the endless benefits of kimchi, why not try out one of our mouth-watering recipes? We have a range of delicious kimchi recipes full of flavour and benefits:

• Kimchi and Dumpling Ramen Recipe (must try if you’re a fan of kimchi noodles)
• Kimchi Bokkeumbap Recipe (also known as kimchi fried rice)
• Our Fast Twenty Minutes Express Kimchi Recipe

Where to Buy Kimchi?

At Oriental Mart, we stock a great selection of Korean kimchi. From fresh, traditional kimchi to something different, you can find a range of kimchi at our online Asian Supermarket.

Want more Korean delicacies? Check out our selection of soju!