My husband has a drive back and forth to work. He likes to listen to podcasts in this downtime. There are a handful that he listens to that gives a daily current events update, which I think is great. Sometimes he comes home and tells me things that leave me wondering where he got such information. And nine times out of ten it is one of his podcasts. This past weekend I got in the truck with him and one of his podcasts is playing and the guys are doing a list of out with 2023 and in with 2024. On the “in with 2024” list was get in check with your gut health. They said to quit making excuses for poor gut health and eat some kimchi. Has the secret all along been kimchi?
Did I get called out
Well dang. They were talking to me. I have read about kimchi in the past. All the greatness of it. I guess now is the time to try it out. Some random guys on a podcast have called me out.
Here is a little excerpt from WebMD.
Kimchi, the national food of South Korea, is a spicy pickled vegetable dish. Kimchi is traditionally made by combining cabbage, scallions, or radishes in a brine with garlic, ginger, chili pepper, and fish sauce, and allowing the ingredients to ferment. It has a rich history in South Korea dating back more than two thousand years.
Traditionally, kimchi is fermented in cool pits in the ground to help control the speed at which bacteria can grow. Properly made, kimchi can help preserve vegetables all year long. Kimchi is a crunchy, flavorful food that can provide impressive health benefits.
I have buried my head in the sand for too long
Why haven’t I tried it? Everything about it sounds as if I would like it. Cabbage, scallions, garlic, ginger, crunchy. I am in. To the store I go, as soon as I leave the office.
There seems to be a laundry list of health benefits. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants. Everything a woman loves. Kimchi is a fermented food, which makes it an excellent probiotic. The same lactobacilli bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented dairy products are also found in kimchi. Consuming the so-called “good bacteria” in kimchi can help you maintain a healthy digestion.
My own science experiment
I have tried yogurt and probiotics. Basically, I think this problem that I have is bigger than a cup of yogurt. Maybe it is kimchi worthy. While doing some internet sleuthing I came across this, In one study, 20 people with a history of digestive problems ate around half a cup, or 75 grams, of kimchi twice each day for 14 days. They reported significantly reduced symptoms, including less abdominal pain, heartburn, acid reflux, bloating, belching, and passing gas. Certainly, this is where we start. I would really like to reduce all of those above symptoms from my life. Really, has the secret all along been kimchi?
Today it begins and I will report back. I feel as if I should keep a food diary. Just an accountable version for myself. I see if this really helps.
Do any of you eat kimchi for gut health?
Have you had success with yogurt or probiotics?
