Could This Tangy Cabbage Kick Belly Fat to the CURB?
For many of us, that slender waist from younger years now seems a distant memory.
No matter how many crunches you crank out, middle-age spread stubbornly sticks. Yet certain cultures—like Korean—boast incredibly low obesity levels even though their diets are rich in rice and meat.
What’s their secret?
Well, the answer may lie in one of their dietary staples…
Kimchi.
This sour, spicy, crunchy sidekick graces most Korean meals.
Cabbages or radishes steep for days in a crimson pool of spices and herbs before being deemed ready. Though its strong flavor and bitter scent usually keeps westerners wary, data suggests acquiring a taste for this food could be well worth it.
According to Korean health data, those munching kimchi three times a day weigh less and sport slimmer waistlines versus those who turn up their nose.
Men in particular show 10% lower obesity odds. Not bad for a humble head of cabbage!
But let’s break down possible mechanisms.
It’s suspected that beneficial bacteria—which are unleashed during fermentation—help squelch inflammation (a known trigger of metabolic dysfunction and weight gain). These microbes also positively influence digestion and glucose metabolism.
So kimchi supplies a cocktail of weight management magic in each forkful.
Remember as a kid, when mom made you choke down carrot sticks and broccoli instead of salty, tasty chips? No doubt you hated it then, but maybe Mom was onto something choosing fiber over empty junk food calories.
And, in kimchi’s case, cruciferous cabbages can safeguard us from obesity when consumed regularly.
Now, we have to remember that Korean dining means endless little dishes of kimchi that are constantly refilled. And, through Western eyes, that seems like overload!
But this analysis dug into the data and found that benefits start to reverse if you go past 5 side plate-sized servings every single day.
It’s that old adage—too much of a good thing! The researchers found, after a certain saturation point of spicy cabbage overload, the excess calories, sodium and spices will cause MORE weight gain than loss.
However, sticking within moderate native intake levels (1-3 daily kimchi portions) reasonably boosts the slimming perks while dodging downsides.
So next time you’re preparing your plate, consider piling peppers alongside proteins. Kickstart slimming effects with kimchi instead of fries for fabulous flavor! A little zing could spark surprising changes over time.
Rachel Mace
Editor, e-Alert with contributions from the research team
P.S. Looking to lose a few pounds? Go here to find out how you can launch weight loss… in BED.
Sources:
