The bacteria used to ferment kimchi are safe to consume. However, if kimchi is not properly prepared or stored, the fermentation process can cause food poisoning. As a result, people with compromised immune systems should take caution when eating kimchi or other fermented foods.
While kimchi does have its benefits, you should still eat it sparingly, especially if you are at risk of heart disease. This is thanks to its high salt content, as a sodium-rich diet can lead to increased consumption of fatty foods, elevated blood pressure and higher excretion of calcium, which can weaken your bones.
Generally, kimchi is safe for most people unless you have a specific allergy to any of the ingredients. It may also cause some unpleasant side effects such as gas and bloating if you are not used to fermented foods or high-fibre content in your diet.
The most common reaction to fermented foods is a temporary increase in gas and bloating. This is the result of excess gas being produced after probiotics kill harmful gut bacteria and fungi. Probiotics secrete antimicrobial peptides that kill harmful pathogenic organisms like Salmonella and E. Coli.
If you're pregnant or immunocompromised, you should avoid eating unpasteurized sauerkraut. If you take MAOIs, have blood pressure concerns, or have food intolerances or allergies, speak to your doctor before eating sauerkraut.
Improve Digestive Health
Consuming the so-called “good bacteria” in kimchi can help you maintain a healthy digestion. Eating the probiotics found in fermented food can help reduce the negative symptoms of many gastrointestinal disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and colon inflammation.
Along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, kimchi contains natural probiotic bacteria. If you eat them regularly, the probiotics in fermented foods can be beneficial to your gut microbiome. Studies suggest that eating kimchi on a daily basis could help to improve some digestive problems.
How Often Should You Eat Kimchi. In order for the benefits of kimchi to be effective, probiotics and beneficial bacteria need to be consumed regularly. Regular can mean a lot of different things to everyone so more specifically, it is recommended that one serving (100g) of kimchi is consumed daily.
Food Rich in Probiotics
Probiotic rich food that can help reduce reflux include: Yogurt. Kimchi. Sauerkraut.
Kimchi can improve your heart health.
In addition to supporting healthy cholesterol, kimchi can also do your heart good by upping the levels of antioxidants in your body, thanks to ingredients like ginger and hot red peppers, says Cassetty.
“While the 'good bacteria' [via probiotics] help us digest food, fight harmful bacteria, and regulate the immune system, excessive kimchi consumption may result in an imbalance of microbes, leading to diarrhea and other health problems,” says Garcia.
Cabbage: Much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage helps stimulate the activation of two crucial liver-detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Try eating more kimchi, cabbage soup and sauerkraut as fermented or cooked cabbage is less likely to affect the thyroid than raw cabbage.
Most kimchi you'll see on the shelves at the grocery store undergoes pasteurization before it's packaged and therefore does not contain any traces of probiotics.
A. Kimchi is a healthy food because it provides beneficial bacteria. It helps balance your gastrointestinal tract by providing probiotics, cleansing digestive routes, and helping with digestion. The high-fibre content in kimchi also helps to detoxify the body.
Which Is Healthier Kimchi Or Sauerkraut? Kimchi is healthier than sauerkraut due to its higher probiotic content and increased nutrients.
Sauerkraut/KimChi (and other probiotic-rich foods)
They reduce bloating and help you digest the food you eat. Sauerkraut and other fermented foods like kimchi are chock full of probiotics, so add them to your diet to protect your gut from being overtaken by bad bacteria that can wreak havoc on the system.
In summary, fermented vegetables such as kimchi, sauerkraut, fermented soy products, and beverages such as fermented teas are garnering attention as a source of natural anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds.
Kimchi intake helps alleviate IBS by increasing dietary fiber intake and reducing serum inflammatory cytokine levels and harmful fecal enzyme activities.
For Korean people, kimchi is not only regarded as food, but also as the symbol of the nation's pride and identity. Kimchi has been an integral part in the Korean food culture for thousands of years. Kimchi is rich in ancient historical values that reflect the Korean way of life.
If you struggle with digestion issues, histamine intolerances, food sensitivities, or food allergies you may want to avoid eating too many fermented foods and should consult with your primary care physician or a registered dietitian before making any big changes to your diet.
Sauerkraut is always cabbage, whereas kimchi can encompass a panoply of fermented vegetables.