Since the world is currently taken by storm by the Korean spell, thanks to its tear-jerking tv dramas and Kpop idols, it wouldn't be utterly Korean in style and fad if it wasn't for their food. And when it's Korean food, you may want to try out their side dish kimchi.
Known for its spicy kick and nasty and pungent smell, kimchi is a famous Korean staple side dish made from fermented napa cabbage and radish mixed in with a lot of spices and stored in a tightly sealed jar. This is commonly served alongside rice, noodles, soups, and even Korean barbecue. Its spices include salt, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and lots of legal or salted seafood and gochugaru or chili peppers. So what are the benefits of eating this spicy Korean side dish?
It contains healthy bacteria and probiotics.
Eating kimchi can improve your digestion process. Since kimchi undergoes fermentation, there are healthy bacteria known as "lactobacilli" present in it, which helps in the digestion process of your body. Kimchi also has probiotics that help battle various infections present in your body.
It slows down the aging process.
You may wonder why Koreans have beautiful fair glass skin. And if you are having a hard time achieving that healthy-looking bright skin, kimchi might be your answer. Just make sure to ferment your kimchi for at least two weeks so that its cell-oxidation relaxes and decreases your skin's aging. Kimchi also has antioxidants and selenium, which act as glutathione and Vitamin C, making your skin brighter and more radiant. The spices, particularly the garlic, also help make you look young and beautiful, as it prevents the wrinkles in your face.
It makes your body healthier and your vision clearer.
Since kimchi is rich in vitamin A, an antioxidant that helps in getting rid of the free radicals in your body, which may cause cancer, you may want to consider kimchi as a part of your diet. Not only that, but vitamin A also improves your eyesight.
It lowers your cholesterol level.
You may also lessen the risk of heart diseases as kimchi also lowers your cholesterol level. So if you are suffering from high blood pressure or high cholesterol amount in your blood, you might want to consider adding a dash of kimchi spice to your diet. Also, the garlic found in kimchi, which contains allicin and selenium, helps decrease the body's cholesterol.
It helps you lose weight.
If you are trying to lose weight and, at the same time, looking for food that is not crazy and still tastes something, then add kimchi to your diet! You don't have to resort to boring unflavored bland food to lose weight, because, with kimchi, 150 grams serving contains only 40 calories. Also, kimchi helps carbohydrate metabolism. The capsaicin in the gochugaru or chili peppers boosts your metabolism and consumes your energy, thus helping you lose weight.
Boosts your immunity
Kimchi can also enhance your immune system. Thanks to this side dish, it activates the immune cells and the antibodies. Since fermented food acts as an antioxidant booster, kimchi helps keep your body healthy and in top shape.
