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? ›

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.

What happens to your body when you eat kimchi everyday? ›

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.

How much kimchi do you need to eat for health benefits? ›

One small study found that eating kimchi as part of a monthlong diet helped people with overweight or obesity shed weight and body fat. Eating kimchi may also prevent weight gain. Research shows that men who had one to three servings of kimchi daily were 10% less likely to become obese than those who didn't eat kimchi.

How many cups of kimchi should I eat a day? ›

Eating up to three servings of kimchi each day is linked to a reduced rate of obesity among men, according to a new study. This study is observational so it's difficult to measure kimchi's direct effect on weight loss. Overall diet and lifestyle also play a role.

Does kimchi count as one of your 5 a day? ›

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

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.

What time of day should I eat kimchi? ›

As far as timing? It's most optimal to eat enzyme rich fermented food at the beginning of the meal, so they can begin the work of helping digestion as soon as they land in the stomach.

Is store-bought kimchi good for you? ›

Low in calories, high in nutrients

As kimchi contains green vegetables such as cabbage, spinach and celery, it's usually high in vitamin K which helps to make proteins that are needed to build bones and for blood clotting.

How long does kimchi last in the fridge? ›

If you have store-bought kimchi that's been opened, it will be good for 3-4 days at room temperature and up to 6 months when refrigerated. Signs of your kimchi going bad include mold growth, an alcoholic smell, and an extremely sour taste.

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.

Can I eat a whole jar of kimchi? ›

Can you eat too much kimchi? A. Eating kimchi in moderation is essential because a high intake can cause obesity and digestive distress. Additionally, an excess intake of this dish could lead to gastric cancer development.

Does kimchi lose its benefits when cooked? ›

Although individuals can cook kimchi, keep in mind that heating any fermented foods can start to kill off the healthy probiotics. So, to retain the health benefits, it is best to add kimchi in at the end of the cooking process.

What happens when you start eating kimchi everyday? ›

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 kimchi as healthy as cabbage? ›

Nutrient dense

Kimchi is packed with nutrients while being low in calories. On its own, Chinese cabbage — one of the main ingredients in kimchi — boasts vitamins A and C, at least 10 different minerals, and over 34 amino acids ( 3 ).

Is kimchi good for skin? ›

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.

Is eating kimchi good for skin? ›

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.

Why do Asians eat kimchi with every meal? ›

Eating kimchi is a communal activity

In Korea, the practice of common eating with family members or friends is recognized as a cultural hallmark. It is also an opportunity for sociability in addition to nourishment. People not only share a table, but also eat from the same dishes, including kimchi as a side dish.

Is kimchi in a jar good for you? ›

Kimchi is a Korean fermented cabbage dish left to ferment for 3-21 days in a jar. The taste can vary based on the ingredients and spices you add in. Kimchi has many vitamins and nutrients that help you create a balanced diet. The high sodium content in kimchi means you should not eat too much.

Is kimchi a detox? ›

Research shows that the multiple strains of bacteria (such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillis brevis, and Lactobacillis plantarum) found in kimchi and sauerkraut, along with nutrients in cabbage are highly effective in helping the body detox from pesticides and other toxins.

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