Fermented foods have long been associated with health benefits, especially due to their content of beneficial bacteria that can influence the gut.
According to HealthDay, researchers have now taken a closer look at whether this type of food may also play a role in the immune system.
In this context, kimchi is of particular interest because it is naturally fermented and consumed regularly in large parts of the world.
A well-functioning immune system is not only about being strong, but about responding appropriately.
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Overly strong immune reactions can lead to inflammatory conditions, while weak reactions can make the body vulnerable.
It is this balance that the research has focused on.
How the study was conducted
The study was published in the journal npj Science of Food. A total of 39 overweight adults participated and were followed for 12 weeks.
The participants were divided into three groups, with two groups consuming kimchi powder and the third group receiving a placebo.
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One type of kimchi was naturally fermented, while the other was produced using a starter culture.
After the trial period, the researchers analyzed the participants’ blood to examine how different immune cells responded.
What the researchers found
The results showed changes in immune cells that are important for the body’s ability both to recognize threats and to keep immune reactions under control.
The effect was most pronounced among those who consumed kimchi fermented with a starter culture.
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The study’s lead author, Dr. Woo Jae Lee of the World Institute of Kimchi, told the National Research Council of Science & Technology:
"Our research has proven for the first time in the world that kimchi has two different simultaneous effects: activating defense cells and suppressing excessive response".
However, the study is small and does not show, according to HealthDay, whether kimchi can prevent disease.
Sources: HealthDay, npj Science of Food, and National Research Council of Science & Technology.
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