What Exactly is Kimchi?
Kimchi is a Korean delicacy made from fermented and salted vegetables, spicy pickled napa cabbage and Korean radishes. Kimchi is quite known as a Korean side dish, however, it’s not limited to Korea; Kimchi is eaten all over the world. It’s not enough to love eating kimchi, you should also know the benefits of the ingredients used to make this exceptional side dish. Here are the basic ingredients for Kimchi.
Kimchi Ingredients
Napa Cabbage or Korean Cabbage
Originally from Beijing, Chin, this is a crop widely spread in Europe, Australia and America. Napa cabbage is an annual vegetable which grows best when the days are short. It is, however, rich in vitamins A, C and K, calcium, iron, and magnesium. It is extremely low in calories and is loaded with antioxidant plant compounds and vital nutrients that protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are harmful by-products produced by the body. Napa cabbage also reduces the risk of cancer and heart diseases.
Radish
Lovers of vegetables know radish. It is an edible vegetable grown and consumed around the world. It can also be eaten as a crunchy vegetable. Radish is rich in vitamin C, hence it helps fight disease and protects the healthy body cells from free radicals. Radishes also contain fiber, folate, potassium, and manganese. Radish can detoxify the body — protecting it and giving it the ability to fight cancer.
Carrots
You would agree that carrots are wonderful. Not only do they taste good, but they also have so many nutrients to offer. Carrots are rich in quite a number of vitamins, minerals, and beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A. There are nutrients in carrots that can help you retain your vision and improve your eye health. I bet you did not know that carrots were used as some kind of poultice, applied to wounds to treat them. Carrots, indeed, help speed up the recovery of open wounds. There are even more mind-blowing benefits carrot has.
Scallions
Also known as green onions and spring onions, it is similar to onions in taste but milder. It is a vegetable that belongs to the allium onion family; it also has close relatives that include shallot, leek, garlic, clive, spring onion, and Chinese onion. Scallions can be used raw by chopping them up to be used as part of a salad or cooked to garnish meals. Scallions are often underestimated when in fact they are rich in nutrients and low in calories. They enhance heart health, boost immunity, aid weight loss, improve bone health, help with the proper clotting of blood and may even block cancer growth. You should consume scallions more often.
Garlic
Garlic is a herb that is abundantly rich in vitamins B-6 (pyridoxine) and C, calcium, iron, selenium, copper, and manganese. Garlic herb is used as a Chinese medicine to cure a cold, cough, and bronchitis. Its oil is, however, used to cure ringworm and skin infection. Studies show that modern medicine advocates the health benefits of garlic to include anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, cholesterol lowering and immune boosting properties. Garlic, in the same vein, enhances the flavor of meat, vegetables and seafood preparation.
Chili Powder
Chili powder is the dried and crushed fruit of chili pepper which contains more than a variety of chili pepper and other spices. Chili powder is rich in manganese, which is important for the proper functioning of the body. Manganese helps with the formation of bones, blood clot, blood sugar regulation, and calcium absorption. Chili powder is a good source of riboflavin which is also known as vitamin B2. Vitamin B2 is a necessary vitamin the body needs for cell growth and function. Who knew that chili powder had the ability to increase metabolism, which, in turn, increases the rate at which the body burns fat? This wonderful spice also produces capsaicin which stimulates sexual arousal by releasing good endorphins. Chili powder has proved to be quite relevant.it deserves some more application
Fish Sauce
This is a liquid seasoning made from fermented fish seasoned with sea salt and water. The fish must have fermented for at least 12 – 18 months. Fish sauce is rich in protein, thereby, increasing the body’s ability to utilize amino acids in the repair of tissue. The sea salt used to season the fish kills the harmful bacteria while it ferments. It is important to know that buying poor quality fish sauce can be hazardous to your health.
Salt
This is a well-known sweetener which adds taste to meals. Salt contains sodium, which the body needs, but just in small quantities. Sodium is needed by the body to conduct nerve impulses, to contract and relax the muscles, and maintain water and mineral balance. It is imperative to make sure that sodium is not ingested in high quantities as it could cause high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Calcium, potassium, zinc, and iron can be found in some varieties of salt. Salt can be harvested from salt mines or by evaporating sea water. Here are some varieties of salt:
- Sea salt
- Plain table salt
- Himalayan pink salt
- Kosher salt
- Celtic salt
- Flake salt
- Fleur de del (Flower of salt)
- Kala namak (Black salt)
- Black Hawaiian salt
- Red Hawaiian salt
- Smoked salt
- Pickling salt
Salt is important but you really have to be mindful of the quantity you consume.
Benefits of Kimchi
Now that we know our ingredients and how they make kimchi a nutritional meal, let’s go into the health benefits of kimchi. Kimchi helps regulate cholesterol, contains antioxidant properties, treats atopic dermatitis, boosts the human immune system, slows down the aging process, helps with weight loss and promotes direction.
It Treats Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is also referred to as eczema. Eczema is a condition that makes the skin itchy, scaly, inflamed and red. It usually appears on the face and arms.
Kimchi contains lactobacillus bacteria which are present in fermented food. These bacteria suppress the effects on mite-induced dermatitis.
It Boosts the Immune System
A number of ingredients in kimchi boost the immune system. Kimchi is bursting with nutrients, ranging from the vitamins to the minerals to the flavonoids and phenolic components. The garlic and peppers in kimchi protect the immune system and fight infections. They also cure cold and flu symptoms.
It Slows down the Aging Process
The antioxidants and vitamin C in Kimchi regulates the inflammation that speeds up the aging process. A regular consumption of kimchi reduces oxidative stress in the cells, ensures inhibition of lipid peroxidation, hence supports extended lifespan. This sure makes kimchi more valuable to your diet. Why wouldn’t you eat Kimchi?
Regulating Cholesterol
Low cholesterol levels is an attribute associated with kimchi. Studies show that kimchi helps in reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol and the concentration of blood glucose in the human body. Allison and Selenium are important components present in garlic. Allicin helps reduce cholesterol levels, thereby, reducing the risk of having strokes and heart attacks. Selenium protects the artery walls by preventing plaque buildup and drastically reducing the threat of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the hardening of the artery walls, thereby becoming narrow, and slowly blocking the arteries; this puts blood flow at risk. Fats, cholesterol and other substances also begin to build up, putting the heart at risk.
Antioxidant Properties
Antioxidants are present in the napa cabbage used in preparing kimchi. Napa cabbage is extremely rich in antioxidant compounds. The flavonoid content makes the napa cabbage a rich source of antioxidant. Antioxidants protect the body from degeneration and free radicals. They ensure the human body is strong and fit, it also helps maintain a youthful and radiant look.
Weight Loss
Kimchi is low in calories because its content consists mostly of vegetables. Vegetables are high in fiber, which fills one up quickly. Studies show that the high consumption of kimchi in Korea may be the reason there are not so many obese people there. Pause for a minute to reflect on that. Do you want to reduce that weight? Kimchi is the way to go.
It Promotes Digestion
Lactobacilli are bacteria that live in the digestive system. They are there to aid food digestion. They’re in Kimchi too.
Increase in stress levels can cause a reduction on the lactobacilli bacteria in the body. A low level of these bacteria could lead to indigestion and sometimes diarrhea. Why not eat kimchi to make up for lost lactobacilli?
Final Words…
Kimchi is widely known and has been around for quite a long time now. It contains ingredients with high nutritional value, and it is a meal that should be eaten regularly. You could make your kimchi at home, this way you are in control of what is included.
Now that you know how fantastically nutritious kimchi is, stay healthy and satiated with kimchi.
