This unusual spicy dish can unexpectedly lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.

Kimchi unexpectedly brings many health benefits. In particular, a new study just published in the scientific journal Nutrition Reviews has found that kimchi can improve blood sugar and lower blood pressure.

Scientists at the University of Connecticut, USA, have analyzed a synthesis of 9 studies conducted between 2011 and 2023, all of which focused on evaluating the effects of kimchi on human health.

New research finds kimchi can improve blood sugar, reduce blood fat and lower blood pressure

Photo: AI

Kimchi - usually made from cabbage or radish, fermented with salt, chili powder, garlic and ginger - is a familiar dish in Korea, and is now popular in many countries.

The results found that regularly eating kimchi significantly improved blood sugar levels, triglyceride levels and blood pressure, according to the science news site Scitech Daily.

Compared with the control group, those who ate kimchi had a 1.93 mg/dL reduction in fasting blood sugar, a 28.88 mg/dL reduction in triglycerides, a 3.48 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure, and a 2.68 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure. This is a very encouraging number, said study leader Ock Chun, MD, of the University of Connecticut. In clinical practice, a 5 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure is considered a significant improvement. Achieving a similar reduction through dietary changes alone, rather than medication, is very promising.

What surprised the researchers was that kimchi, which is high in sodium, is often considered a factor in raising blood pressure, but the results showed a reduction in blood pressure. This suggests that the components in kimchi, such as probiotics, may offset the blood pressure-raising effects of sodium.

In addition to its effects on blood pressure and blood sugar, broader research has also shown that kimchi is a "gut superfood" thanks to its high probiotic content, which helps balance the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce bloating and constipation, and aid irritable bowel syndrome.

Another 2024 Korean study, which included 115,726 Koreans (40–69 years old), also found that eating one to three servings of kimchi per day improved metabolic index, reduced obesity rates, and reduced belly fat.

The authors concluded that kimchi can bring significant benefits to blood pressure, blood lipids and blood sugar. This confirms that kimchi is a food with great potential in improving cardiovascular and metabolic health, according to Scitech Daily.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mon-cay-la-mieng-khong-ngo-co-the-ha-huyet-ap-cholesterol-va-duong-huyet-185251014160301537.htm