Need to know
A favourite dish, and hailed as a superfood by many, this fermented food is available in many UK supermarkets
The health benefits and £2 superfood that could slow ageing
- A £2 jar of kimchi from your local supermarket could be the key to better health. Research suggests this Korean fermented food may help slow ageing and support weight management.
- The traditional dish, made from fermented vegetables like cabbage and radish with chilli and garlic, is available for as little as £2. According to a 2025 review, fermented foods like kimchi may promote anti-ageing by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Studies show kimchi can enhance gut bacteria and support the immune system through beneficial compounds, “including organic acids, phenolic metabolites, polysaccharides, and bioactive peptides.” Research from 2024 found it has a “positive” effect on gut health.
- For weight management, kimchi appears particularly promising. One study found that “kimchi intake also promotes robust growth of A. muciniphila, a bacterial species associated with anti-obesity effects, while simultaneously reducing Proteobacteria species, often associated with obesity.”
- A study showed men who consumed 1 to 3 servings of kimchi per day had a lower risk of obesity. This was compared with those who consumed fewer than one serving per day.
- The versatile ingredient can be added to rice dishes, ramen, breakfast eggs, sandwiches, burgers, and salads for an instant flavour boost.
- READ THE FULL STORY: Fermented £2 food that could help slow ageing and aid weight loss
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