Health effects
Kimchi, made of various vegetables, contains a high concentration of dietary fibers, while being low in calories, providing 80 percent of the daily required amount of ascorbic acid and carotene.[10] Most types of kimchi contain common ingredients like onions, garlic and peppers all with well-known health benefits. The vegetables being made into kimchi also contribute to the overall nutritional value. Kimchi is rich in vitamin A, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), calcium and iron, [11][12] and also has active and beneficial bacterial cultures of Lactobacilli,[13] which results in a higher lactic acid content in the final product than in yoghurt.
Kimchi has a well-supported reputation as a healthy food, recommended by popular health magazines, such as the periodical Health. Health magazine named kimchi in its list of top five "World's Healthiest Foods" for abundant vitamins, aiding digestion, and even possibly retarding cancer growth. [14] Research indicates that kimchi increases the risk of gastric cancer, most likely from nitrates and salt), while nonfermented alliums and nonfermented seafood have preventative qualities. [15] Interestingly, research has also found kimchi possesses preventative effects against as well as a risk factor for gastric cancer[16].