Daily Kimchi offers a surprise or two…
This was not nearly as painful as I’d imagined, and it offered some very surprising changes to my digestive system.
Kimchi is unique compared to any other types of fermentation processes because it is pickled with air and light—which is consistent with how Koreans pickle and ferment everything. It’s aerobic fermentation differs greatly from sauerkraut. Kimchi retains its crunch for much longer.
I dove into this because Dr. Amy Shah tells a story in her book Why Am I So Effing Hungry about Korean babies and how they are introduced to Kimchi at age 1. It’s a right of passage and first kimchi photos are taken, shared, and giggled over. However, parents do not stop feeding the baby kimchi because the baby doesn’t like it. They do exactly the opposite, and over time, the baby develops a taste for the kimchi.
And a wonderland of healthy gut bacteria is born and thrives.
I thought, why can’t I try the same thing? So I began this endeavor taking small bites. I truly began with one small bite a day and worked my way up to a serving or two per day to finish the giant costco batch of kimchi.
And my taste buds evolved.
I found myself craving more veggies, and quality veggies. I began to desire cooked kale? WHAT! That is not a normal craving for me. I also found myself enjoying very different combinations of food than normal, and all food began to taste better.
My digestion also changed in that my poop became more firm which was an ok thing. The pooper still worked easily and efficiently. Not much change other than composition though.
So yes, we can teach ourselves to like new foods! We can even change our taste buds!
I am no longer eating kimchi daily, but I might begin again soon!
Kimchi Facts & Nutrition Information
Kimchi is high in vitamin C.Vitamin C is also an essential nutrient for immune health and other bodily functions. As an antioxidant, it fends off free radical damage, which could stave off diseases. The dish is low in calories but packed with nutrients like iron, folate, and vitamins B6 and K.
According to the blog EatingWell.com, There's an entire ecosystem living in your gut, known as the gut microbiome, and research has found that eating a diet rich in fermented foods like kimchi helps add “good” bacteria and diversify the microbiome to help improve digestion and immunity, as well as reduce gut inflammation.
