Eating kimchi daily for 12 weeks may help regulate immune system

• A recent clinical trial suggests that kimchi may help suppress excessive immune responses and enhance immune function.
• This is the first study to investigate the immunological effects of kimchi at a single-cell level.
• The study also shows that consuming kimchi, as a fermented food rich in probiotics, may not only contribute to metabolic health but also aid immune health.

The World Institute of Kimchi reported on the results of a recent study published in npj Science of Food, which found that the fermented food may also help improve the immune system, in addition to its gut health benefits.

Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented vegetable dish that has gained global interest due to its health-promoting properties. Research has shown that fermented vegetables, such as kimchi, can help improve gut microbiota composition, relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and aid weight loss, among other benefits.

The study in question was a 12-week clinical trial that examined 13 adults with overweight. The participants were divided into three groups. Each group consumed either:

• a placebo
• kimchi powder made from naturally fermented kimchi
• kimchi powder made from kimchi fermented with a starter culture

Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, and Preventive Cardiology Dietitian at Entirely Nourished, who was not involved in the study, told Medical News Today:

“This study showed that after eating kimchi daily for 12 weeks, immune cells became better at spotting potential threats and alerting other immune cells to work more efficiently. [T]he study was small, so we can’t say everyone would get the same benefit, but it is encouraging and supports including fermented foods like kimchi in your diet to keep your immune system healthy.”