Credits: Social Media
Study finds eating one superfood every day is linked to lower obesity
A new study has found that eating one superfood every day could lower your risk of obesity by a considerable amount.
Superfoods are foods which are considered to be extremely beneficial to a person’s health as they are rich in certain compounds or nutrients.
Superfood linked to lower obesity
The study, published in the medical journal BMJ Open in January 2024, found that consuming 1-3 servings of kimchi per day was related to a lower prevalence of obesity.
Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made from salted and fermented vegetables, most commonly cabbage and radish, and a variety of spices.
The study analysed 115,726 participants aged 40-69 years in Korea between 2004 to 2013, and each person was asked about their kimchi consumption via a food questionnaire.
They found that men who consumed the most cabbage kimchi had 10% lower odds of obesity, concluding that this type is “associated with a lower prevalence of obesity in men”.
They also studied radish kimchi, finding that 8% of men and 11% of women who regularly ate the dish had lower odds of obesity.
Kimchi improves digestive health
As kimchi is a fermented food, it is an excellent probiotic, meaning it contains live bacteria and yeasts which are great for your digestive health, WebMD explains in an article peer-reviewed by medical professional Poonam Sachdev.
It contains “good bacteria” called lactobacilli which are beneficial to your gut microbiome and can help reduce the negative symptoms of many gastrointestinal disorders, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome and colon inflammation. This could then have an impact on weight loss.
The benefits don’t stop there either. Probiotics are also shown to improve heart health by reducing cholesterol and inflammation and may improve your immune system. Plus, the superfood is full of anti-oxidant compounds which can help reduce the risk of stroke, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
How to add more kimchi to your diet
Sports nutrition experts at Bulk say kimchi can be enjoyed on its own, but recommend adding it to these dishes to get more kimchi into your diet:
- Fried rice
- Stir-fries or noodle dishes
- Soups or stews
- Salads or grain bowls
- Omelettes
- Homemade hash browns
- Pasta
- Sandwich fillings
You can find it in the refrigerated section of most major supermarkets or down the world foods aisle. More authentic kimchi can be found at Asian food stores or markets. It’s important to check the ingredients and avoid buying ones with added sugar or preservatives.
