Top 6 health benefits of kimchi (2024)

What is kimchi?

Made from fermented cabbage with a variety of spices, this traditional Korean condiment may also include onion, radish and carrot. Flavour varies depending on the ingredients used and how it is made, but is best described as spicy and sour. Kimchi can be eaten by itself or used in cooking to flavour stews and noodle dishes.

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Kimchi is made by cutting vegetables into slices or strips, massaging them with salt to create a brine, adding spices, then densely packing the mixture into a jar and leaving it to ferment for at least a week, but often longer, at room temperature. It's also available commercially from health food shops, larger supermarkets and online. Look for the unpasteurised versions for optimal benefit.

Benefits of kimchi may include:

  • Support gut health
  • Improve nutritional value
  • Support heart health
  • Help blood sugar management
  • Support a healthy weight
  • Suppress inflammation

Discover our full range of health guides. Keen to make your own kimchi? Try our quick kimchi or delicious vegan version.

Nutritional profile of kimchi

An 100g serving (drained) provides:

More like this
  • 24kcal /102kj
  • 1.1g protein
  • 0.2g fat
  • 3.9g carbohydrates
  • 1.8g fibre
  • 1.62g salt

Nutritional figures will vary depending on the ingredients used. An 80g serving contributes a portion towards your five-a-day.

What are the top health benefits of kimchi?

1. May support gut health

There is growing evidence that fermented foods such as kimchi may improve levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut, and may as a consequence improve symptoms such as constipation.

Including a variety of fermented foods in the diet may improve intestinal health and as a result support the immune system and your anti-inflammatory responses.

2. May enhance nutritional value

The process of fermentation, by mainly lactobacillus bacteria, may enhance the nutritional value of the fermented food. This is because the bacteria themselves synthesise vitamins and minerals and the process of fermentation deactivates some less favourable compounds, which we commonly refer to as 'anti-nutrients'.

3. May support heart health

Compounds known as 'biologically active peptides', such as conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), are produced by the bacteria responsible for fermentation and may have a blood pressure lowering effect. Compounds in kimchi also appear to help keep blood vessels clear of the damaging effects of atherosclerosis.

4. May help blood sugar management

Consuming kimchi appears to have positive effects on blood sugar management. How exactly fermented kimchi supports this is not fully understood, and more research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved.

5. May support a healthy weight

Studies suggest the inclusion of fermented kimchi in the diet may have a beneficial effect on metabolic factors including body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio.

6. May suppress inflammation

Active compounds in fermented kimchi may suppress inflammatory effects. This may have wide-ranging benefits from supporting vascular health to improving memory and cognitive function.

Top 6 health benefits of kimchi (2)

Is kimchi safe for everyone to eat?

Generally, kimchi is safe for most people unless you have a specific allergy to any of the ingredients. It may also cause some unpleasant side effects such as gas and bloating if you're not used to fermented or high-fibre food.

Those with an intolerance to histamine may be best to minimise their consumption of fermented foods and people following a low-sodium (salt) diet may also need to be mindful that kimchi may contain high levels.

Overall, is kimchi good for you?

Including a wide range of fermented foods in the diet appears to offer numerous health benefits. Kimchi makes a tasty addition and, as long as you are not allergic to the ingredients or suffer from a histamine intolerance, it makes a valuable contribution.

If you don’t make your own kimchi, check the food label for salt content, as some products may contain as much as 3 per cent salt, and choose an unpasteurised product because pasteurisation kills the beneficial bacteria.

Use up your jar of kimchi:

Quick kimchi
Kimchi fried rice
Kimchi scrambled eggs
Kimchi sesame udon noodles
Kimchi toasties

Enjoyed this? Now read...

The health benefits of fermenting
The health benefits of kefir
The health benefits of kombucha
Top health benefits of sauerkraut
Top probiotic foods

Nicola Shubrook is a nutritional therapist and works with both private clients and the corporate sector. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Find out more at urbanwellness.co.uk.

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All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

Top 6 health benefits of kimchi (2024)

FAQs

Top 6 health benefits of kimchi? ›

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. The bacteria in kimchi are linked to improved immune function and lower levels of inflammation triggered by diseases.

What are the health benefits of kimchi? ›

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. The bacteria in kimchi are linked to improved immune function and lower levels of inflammation triggered by diseases.

Is it okay to eat kimchi every day? ›

Kimchi is often served as a side dish alongside other healthful vegetables and proteins. Researchers noted in the study that consuming more than three servings of kimchi a day could have the opposite benefit. Participants who ate more than five servings of kimchi per day were more likely to be at a risk for obesity.

How much kimchi do you have to eat to get full benefits? ›

Eating up to three daily servings of kimchi could reduce men's risk of obesity. Also, radish kimchi is associated with a lower prevalence of abdominal obesity in both men and women, according to a new study. The findings were published in the journal, BMJ Open.

Is kimchi better than probiotics? ›

Eat things like kimchi, yogurt, and kefir

"At the moment, the current evidence suggests you're better off not taking commercial probiotics, but just taking fermented foods," Spector said. "Fermented foods are basically probiotics — live microbes — but actually in food, as opposed to in a capsule."

Is kimchi anti-inflammatory? ›

Research indicates that kimchi may reduce your risk of heart disease ( 51 ). This may be due to its anti-inflammatory properties, as recent evidence suggests that inflammation may be an underlying cause of heart disease ( 52 , 53 , 54 ).

Is kimchi good for the liver? ›

In conclusion, HCD-induced liver damage can be alleviated by kimchi administration via improving lipid metabolism and suppressing apoptosis.

What are the cons of kimchi? ›

Kimchi is mostly good for us, but there could be some risks to keep in mind:
  • High Salt Content. The salt in kimchi might be too much for some people, especially those with high blood pressure or at risk of it.
  • Thyroid Disease. If you have thyroid problems, eating kimchi could affect your thyroid hormones.
  • Allergies.
Apr 30, 2024

Does kimchi reduce belly fat? ›

Men who ate more than three serves a day of cabbage kimchi (baechu) were less likely to have obesity and abdominal obesity (excess fat deposits around their middle). And women who ate two to three serves a day of baechu were less likely to have obesity and abdominal obesity.

When should you not eat kimchi? ›

Kimchi spoilage and over-fermentation

It will continue to ferment at a cool temperature. If kimchi over-ferments, it will have a very vinegary odor and taste. It is not pleasant to eat raw, so it is often used for soups and stews. If any fermentation gets soft and slimy, then it is a sign of spoilage.

Why do I feel better after eating kimchi? ›

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.

Is store-bought kimchi healthy? ›

The verdict: Spicy and crunchy kimchi can certainly fit into a well-balanced diet and is a way to introduce more probiotics and flavor nuances into your menu. Just know that no single fermented food is going to be the ultimate health saver.

How long does it take for kimchi to work? ›

The kimchi fermentation process is very short in comparison to making sauerkraut. Kimchi ferments at room temperature in only 1-2 days or more slowly in the refrigerator. For safety, kimchi should be stored refrigerated and is best eaten within 1 week, as the quality of kimchi deteriorates with longer fermentation.

Is Trader Joes kimchi probiotic? ›

If you want to get in more probiotics alongside or in lieu of starting a supplement, there are a few foods worth incorporating, such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut. These foods contain probiotics because they're fermented with live active cultures at the end of processing.

Is kimchi good for your skin? ›

Koreans have long championed the skincare benefits of fermented foods. Kimchi, a fiery blend of fermented goodness, isn't just a culinary delight; it's a skin-saving secret. Bursting with lactobacilli, kimchi nurtures digestion and reduces inflammation, a dual action that tames acne and wards off premature wrinkles.

Does kimchi go bad? ›

Opened, store-bought kimchi lasts 3-4 days at room temperature and up to 6 months in the refrigerator. As soon as you break the seal and expose your kimchi to oxygen, the fermentation process starts to speed up, meaning that your kimchi will near its expiration date a lot faster.

What does kimchi do to your stomach? ›

In one study, 20 people with a history of digestive problems ate around half a cup, or 75 grams, of kimchi twice each day for 14 days. They reported significantly reduced symptoms, including less abdominal pain, heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, belching, and passing gas.

Is kimchi considered a superfood? ›

In fact, kimchi is considered a superfood. As with other fermented foods, kimchi's probiotic properties have been found to increase gut health by adding "good bacteria" into your microbiome. This boosts digestion and improves immunity.

What's the difference between kimchi and sauerkraut? ›

Vegetables: You can make kimchi in many different ways, whereas sauerkraut has more defined limits. Baechu-kimchi is the closest to sauerkraut in that it has a simple cabbage base without any additional veggies. Sauerkraut is always cabbage, whereas kimchi can encompass a panoply of fermented vegetables.

Do you need to refrigerate kimchi? ›

Kimchi ferments at room temperature in only 1-2 days or more slowly in the refrigerator. For safety, kimchi should be stored refrigerated and is best eaten within 1 week, as the quality of kimchi deteriorates with longer fermentation.

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