Kimchi may have anti-obesity properties by helping to significantly reduce body fat according to new studies
THE’obesitya major global health challenge, affects approximately 16% of the world’s population, or 890 million people. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the negative impact of this condition on the quality of life and general health of individuals.
In this context the World Institute of Kimchi in South Korea has conducted numerous studies to explore the potential anti-obesity properties of kimchia traditional Korean fermented food made of fermented vegetables with spices (chili powder, shallots, garlic, and ginger) and Jeotgal. In fact, research has shown that regular consumption of kimchi can significantly contribute to reduction of body fat.
Preclinical experiments found a reduction in body fat by 31.8% in subjects fed a kimchi-based diet. This finding was supported by a 13-year longitudinal study conducted through the Korea Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), which showed a 15% reduction in BMI and a 12% decrease in the incidence of obesity among middle-aged men. age who regularly consumed kimchi.
The results of the second study
An additional clinical study, led by Dr. Sung-Wook Hong, examined the impact of kimchi on 55 overweight adults with a BMI between 23 and 30 kg/m². Participants consumed kimchi capsules, containing 60 grams of freeze-dried kimchi per day, for three months.
The results revealed a 2.6 percent reduction in body fat in the group that consumed kimchi, while the control group experienced a 4.7 percent increase in body fat. This difference was statistically significant, indicating kimchi’s effectiveness in promoting body fat loss.
The analysis of the participants’ gut microbiome showed an increase in the beneficial bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila and a reduction in Proteobacteriabacteria often associated with obesity. These changes suggest that kimchi may positively influence the composition of the gut microbiome, contributing to weight management and overall health.
Dr. Hae-Choon Chang, director of the World Institute of Kimchi, underlined the importance of these findings, highlighting kimchi’s potential as a functional food for global health. Kimchi has not only demonstrated anti-obesity properties, but also benefits for gastrointestinal health, the immune system and potential anti-cancer effects.
