Kimchi is the new ‘it’ food – and could also help prevent weight gain, according to a new study.

The very pungent Korean fermented vegetables, and the dish has been growing in popularity in the UK, and is thought to help boost good bacteria in the gut.

Now, researchers in South Korea have found another potential benefit.

In the study, published in the BMJ, cabbage kimchi was found to lower men’s risk of obesity, while radish kimchi – also known as water kimchi – was beneficial to both men and women.

But you need to eat quite a lot of it.

Men who had an intake of one to three servings a day had an 11-12% lower risk of obesity, compared to men who ate less than one serving a day.

Men with a higher intake of cabbage kimchi in particular – up to three servings a day – had 10% lower odds of obesity and excess fat around their stomach and abdomen. For women, this was 8%. 

Women who ate radish kimchi had around a 9% reduced risk of fat around the middle and abdomen.

The study used data from 115,726 participants, with an average age of 51.

One serving of cabbage kimchi was regarded as 50g, and one serving of water kimchi was 95g.  

However, the researchers warned not to overdo it.

There was no real benefit to eating more than three servings a day, as those who ate more also tended to eat more of other foods – and were more likely to be obese. 

Previous studies of Kimchi suggest ‘good’ bacteria in fermented foods such as kimchi are beneficial for the gut, as well as for preserving memory. 

However, the superfood is quite salty, which was noted by the researchers, who said: ‘As kimchi is one of the major sources of sodium intake, a moderate amount should be recommended for the health benefits of its other components.’

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