Kimchi, its nutritional composition, biological activities, health benefits, therapeutic uses, culinary uses and risk factors
Description : Kimchi is very popular Korean condiment generally prepared from fermented vegetables. This
Article Details :
Kimchi is very popular Korean condiment generally prepared from fermented vegetables. This fermentation process not only makes it tasty but also makes it health worthy.
Nutritional profile
It is extremely nutritious and contains various imperative nutrients, like it contains fibre, to some extent of carbohydrate, proteins and fat. It is also loaded with various important micronutrients like Vitamin A, C, K, B complex, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc and iron. It contains significant amount of probiotics as well that offer numerous health benefits.
Biological activity
Antioxidant activity
- Components, which are generally used for preparing kimchi possess strong antioxidant activity thus consumption of kimchi is thought to be very effective for decreasing oxidative stress
- It plays significant role in reducing the concentration of free radicals as well as reactive oxygen species and protects the body from their harmful effects as a result significantly lowers the risk of developing chronic diseases
- It helps to prevent lipid peroxidation as well
- It is also associated with promoting cellular functions by preventing their damages hence promotes well being
Anti-carcinogenic activity
- It plays imperative role in decreasing the prevalence of carcinoma
- It has seen that the cruciferous vegetables, which are used for preparing kimchi, contain an imperative component named isothiocyanates, which exert potent anti-carcinogenic activity
- Its oxidative stress reducing capacity is also accountable for lowering the risk of developing cancers
- It is very effective for preventing cellular proliferation, which ultimately helps to hinder the growth of malignant cells in body
Antimicrobial activity
- It has powerful antimicrobial activity that helps to prevent the growth and replication of microbes within host thus decreases the prevalence of infectious diseases
- Probiotics present in kimchi especially Lactobacillus bacterium, significantly reduces the prevalence of yeast infection
- It is extremely effective against Candida fungus, which is responsible for vaginal infection
Anti-inflammatory activity
- It helps to prevent inflammation as it exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity, which is closely related with reducing the concentration of inflammatory mediators in body
- Its probiotic components are also accountable for preventing inflammation
- It plays significant role in preventing pain as well
- It is also very effective for preventing joint swelling thus its consumption is thought to be very much useful for those individual who suffer from arthritis
Health benefits
Role on immunity
- It plays significant role in improving the immunological responses of the body
- Its probiotic components especially Lactobacillus bacterium, play significant role in decreasing the concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha in body, which ultimately indicates that the immune system is performing well because the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha only get increased in body when there is an infection or illness present
- It helps to protect every immune cells from oxidative damages thus promotes their functionality, which ultimately strengthen the defense mechanism of the body
- It is also associated with enhancing the synthesis of WBC, which helps to make the body able for fight against infections
Role on digestive health
- Kimchi is extensively used as an imperative therapeutic agent for promoting digestive health
- Individual who suffer from indigestion should try kimchi as it helps in digestion
- It helps to promote the absorption of other nutrients too
- It is also considered as a good source of probiotics, which play significant role in improving the load of intestinal beneficial microbes and also help in promoting their growth that ultimately improves gut health
- Fibre present in kimchi is also recognized as an important component for digestive health. It helps to improve bowel movement and improves regularity. Fibre is associated with enhancing stool bulkiness and softness, which also accountable for preventing constipation by making the defecation easy
- It helps to improve colonic health as well
- Its consumption is also related with decreasing the prevalence of gastric ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and diverticular disease
Role on eye health
- Consumption of kimchi is very effective for improving eye health as it is recognized as a good source of beta carotene. Cabbage is considered as one of the most important ingredients of kimchi and it is a good source of beta carotene as well
- Beta carotene Read more
