Kimchi! My Friend
Written by Tina Pan
Edited by Khushi Shah
September 27th, 2023
Edited by Khushi Shah
September 27th, 2023
Health and Wellness
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Kimchi is a traditional Korean food that is made through fermentation. Many of us know and love kimchi, which is eaten by a large population worldwide. Did you know that this food is delicious and has many health benefits? In the following paragraphs, the reader will learn more about what specifically kimchi is and how beneficial it can be to individuals.
What is kimchi? There are many different types of kimchi but the most well-known one uses Chinese cabbage. Typically what is used to make baechu (Chinese cabbage) kimchi includes Chinese cabbage, sliced radish, red pepper powder, garlic, ginger, anchovy, sugar, green onion, and salt. This can all vary depending on the valuable ingredients and who is making the kimchi.
How is kimchi good for us? There are many bacteria used in making kimchi and since kimchi is fermented food it contains probiotic lactic acid bacteria. As kimchi can be thought of as a probiotic food it has the same benefits as yogurt. Kimchi is a low-calorie dish and has high levels of vitamins like vitamin A, carotene, and vitamin B. Since kimchi is typically prepared with yellow-green vegetables this has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, increase immune function, reduce the aging process, and prevent constipation. Kimchi also contains anticancer, antioxidative, and anti-aging effects.
Hearing that food can have anticancer effects may be slightly bizarre but kimchi studies have shown that the kimchi dichloromethane fraction inhibited H thymidine incorporation in the cancer cells. There are active compounds in kimchi that have shown anticancer activity. There is a study that shows that dichloromethane in kimchi stops the tumor cell at a cell division phase and causes apoptosis (cell death). This is an example of how the consumption of kimchi can help prevent cancer.
In addition to its anticancer benefits, it is noteworthy that kimchi is also highly antioxidative and possesses potent anti-aging properties. The chlorophyll, phenol compounds, vitamin C, carotenoids, and dietary fibers are found through the raw material and fermentation of kimchi. A study shows that baechu, leek, or mustard leaf kimchi showed to have antioxidative effects. It was seen that kimchi promoted healthy skin which can show to have anti-aging effects. It is important to understand the harmful effects of free radicals on our bodies. Free radicals are unstable molecules. One such effect is the potential for damage to the DNA in our cells. This can lead to an increase in the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. There are free radical scavenging activities of kimchi due to the high levels of chlorophyll, vitamin C, carotenoids, and phenolics from kimchi.
There are so many more health benefits just from eating kimchi but these are only a few common ones. Other fermented foods, such as yogurt or kombucha, have just as many health benefits. It is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to find which fermented food is the most beneficial and suitable for individual dietary needs and preferences. With this, one can get the benefits of these foods and work towards a healthier lifestyle.
Kimchi is a traditional Korean food that is made through fermentation. Many of us know and love kimchi, which is eaten by a large population worldwide. Did you know that this food is delicious and has many health benefits? In the following paragraphs, the reader will learn more about what specifically kimchi is and how beneficial it can be to individuals.
What is kimchi? There are many different types of kimchi but the most well-known one uses Chinese cabbage. Typically what is used to make baechu (Chinese cabbage) kimchi includes Chinese cabbage, sliced radish, red pepper powder, garlic, ginger, anchovy, sugar, green onion, and salt. This can all vary depending on the valuable ingredients and who is making the kimchi.
How is kimchi good for us? There are many bacteria used in making kimchi and since kimchi is fermented food it contains probiotic lactic acid bacteria. As kimchi can be thought of as a probiotic food it has the same benefits as yogurt. Kimchi is a low-calorie dish and has high levels of vitamins like vitamin A, carotene, and vitamin B. Since kimchi is typically prepared with yellow-green vegetables this has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, increase immune function, reduce the aging process, and prevent constipation. Kimchi also contains anticancer, antioxidative, and anti-aging effects.
Hearing that food can have anticancer effects may be slightly bizarre but kimchi studies have shown that the kimchi dichloromethane fraction inhibited H thymidine incorporation in the cancer cells. There are active compounds in kimchi that have shown anticancer activity. There is a study that shows that dichloromethane in kimchi stops the tumor cell at a cell division phase and causes apoptosis (cell death). This is an example of how the consumption of kimchi can help prevent cancer.
In addition to its anticancer benefits, it is noteworthy that kimchi is also highly antioxidative and possesses potent anti-aging properties. The chlorophyll, phenol compounds, vitamin C, carotenoids, and dietary fibers are found through the raw material and fermentation of kimchi. A study shows that baechu, leek, or mustard leaf kimchi showed to have antioxidative effects. It was seen that kimchi promoted healthy skin which can show to have anti-aging effects. It is important to understand the harmful effects of free radicals on our bodies. Free radicals are unstable molecules. One such effect is the potential for damage to the DNA in our cells. This can lead to an increase in the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease or cancer. There are free radical scavenging activities of kimchi due to the high levels of chlorophyll, vitamin C, carotenoids, and phenolics from kimchi.
There are so many more health benefits just from eating kimchi but these are only a few common ones. Other fermented foods, such as yogurt or kombucha, have just as many health benefits. It is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to find which fermented food is the most beneficial and suitable for individual dietary needs and preferences. With this, one can get the benefits of these foods and work towards a healthier lifestyle.
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