Korean Kimchi Diet: The side dish that has several health benefits

Korean food culture is taking over the world, not just because it's delicious, but also because it's extremely healthy. The impact of Korean foods is so great, that people all over the world are resorting to it for various purposes.

That said, one of the key Korean delicacies that is an integral part of their meal is 'Kimchi' - a side dish that has several health benefits. Let us find out what it is and its key benefits.

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Whether you visit a Korean household or drop by a Korean restaurant, kimchi is something that will probably be served to you along with every meal.

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish prepared with fermented vegetables, typically cabbage, radishes, and green onion and various seasonings like salt, sugar, onions, ginger, garlic and chilli peppers.

Given that some vegetables aren't available throughout the year, Koreans use food preservation methods to have unlimited access to their delicious side dish. But the best thing about it is that due to the fermentation, Kimchi not only smells wonderful, but has several health benefits.

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To make kimchi, one must initiate a lacto-fermentation process that not only makes it more durable, but also enhances its aroma. Considering kimchi is made with salt fermented veggies, it contains a whole lot of probiotics, live bacteria that are good for you, especially your digestive system.

That said, kimchi is extremely beneficial for your gut and helps keep gastrointestinal problems at bay. Apart from that, probiotics in kimchi may also help prevent many other health conditions.

The fact that probiotics in kimchi help boost your digestive system, it may also help improve your immune functions.

The fermentation process used in making kimchi uses the bacterium Lactobacillus, which is said to boost your immune health and decrease levels of inflammation triggered by diseases. Additionally, vitamin C in kimchi is also believed to boost the immune system.

Kimchi is a magical food that contains numerous nutrients. It is full of beta-carotene and other antioxidant components that can help lower the risk of serious health conditions including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), strokes, certain types of cancer and diabetes. It is also a great source of vitamin A, C and K and is packed with calcium and potassium.

Our body is subject to inflammation for various reasons. That said, the anti-inflammatory properties in probiotics and HDMPPA, an active compound found in kimchi, is said to reduce such inflammation. Even in an animal study published in the Journal of Microbiology, it was found that the specific strain of probiotic found in kimchi could fight inflammation in the gut.

Many people are aware of the many weight loss benefits of a Korean weight loss diet. This also owes to the fermented side dishes served at every meal of the day in a Korean household. Given that kimchi has a low calorie count, high fiber content and lots of probiotics, it is said to keep extra kilos at bay.

Studies have indicated that a Korean kimchi diet may in fact reduce levels of "bad" (LDL) cholesterol in the body. This in turn is linked to one's heart health. Apart from that, eating kimchi regularly is also said to reduce inflammation, one of the major underlying causes of heart ailments.