K-pop isn’t the only way the Koreans have influenced the world. They also gave us kimchi, a gut-loving, health-promoting fermented food that adds an extra zing to our everyday meals! Kimchi doesn’t just taste deliciously spicy, but it contains loads of beneficial bacteria that deliver a host of health benefits when consumed. Here are some reasons to include it in your diet.
1. Contains probiotics, or friendly bacteria called lactobacilli, that aids in the digestion process of our body and fight off various infections.
2. The garlic found in kimchi contains allicin and selenium – both of which are helpful in decreasing the cholesterol levels and protect from heart diseases.
3. A 100-gram serving of kimchi has 18% of the daily value of vitamin A, an antioxidant which can help get rid of free radicals in your body that cause cancer. Vitamin A is also helpful in the maintenance of clear and healthy eyesight.
4. Regular consumption of kimchi may help keep your skin and hair healthy due to its rich content of important vitamins and minerals.
5. The chinese cabbage and radish found in kimchi contain bio-chemicals such as isocyanate and sulfide which are helpful in detoxifying heavy metals found in your liver, small intestine and kidney.
6. Kimchi that has been fermented for two weeks is rich in antioxidants which decrease the rate of skin aging. It also inhibits cell oxidation, making you look carefree and relaxed, even if you may be under a lot of stress.
7. Kimchi helps with carbohydrate metabolism which aids in losing weight. The capsaicin found in chili peppers in this Korean dish boosts your metabolism and makes you use the excess energy in your body, thereby increasing weight loss.
8. Kimchi contains leuconostoc mesenteroides which produce dextrin, a substance important to stop the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that causes peptic ulcers.
9. Kimchi may prompt immune cells to be more active and the antibodies to be more abundant.
