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From the Journals

Kimchi Consumption Reduces Body Fat, Clinical Trial Shows

Trial reveals kimchi's dual action: consuming 3000 mg daily not only reduced body fat mass but also increased beneficial gut bacteria A. muciniphila while decreasing obesity-associated microbes.

Conexiant

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 90 participants demonstrated that daily kimchi consumption significantly reduced body fat mass and beneficially altered gut microbiota composition in overweight adults.

The 12-week study, published in the Journal of Functional Foods, evaluated two types of kimchi powder: spontaneously fermented (S-K) and starter-fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCKM0828 (LMS-K). Participants aged 20-65 years with BMI between 23-30 kg/m² consumed 3000 mg of either kimchi powder or placebo daily, split into three capsules taken with meals.

Both kimchi groups showed significant reductions in body fat mass compared to the placebo group. The placebo group experienced increased body fat mass, while the S-K group showed decreased fat mass.

LMS-K consumption resulted in significant metabolic improvements including decreased LDL cholesterol, increased HDL cholesterol, reduced triglycerides compared to placebo, and decreased HbA1c.

The trial excluded participants with uncontrolled hypertension (≥160/100 mmHg), poorly controlled diabetes (fasting glucose ≥160 mg/dl), and elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT >3x upper limit). Of 90 initial participants, 83 completed the study, with high adherence rates across all groups.

Analysis of fecal samples revealed:

  • Predominant phyla: Firmicutes (55.02-58.49%), Bacteroidetes (18.97-30.16%), Actinobacteria (8.53-15.84%)
  • Both kimchi groups showed significant reduction in Proteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria
  • LMS-K group demonstrated additional depletion of Streptococcaceae family
  • Increased Akkermansia muciniphila abundance in both kimchi groups

The S-K contained predominantly Latilactobacillus sakei and Leuconostoc carnosum, while LMS-K showed dominance of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and L. sakei.

No serious adverse events were reported during the 12-week study period. Total caloric intake and physical activity levels remained consistent across all groups throughout the trial period.

This study represents the largest clinical trial to date examining kimchi's effects on obesity using randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled methodology.

The authors declared that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.