Kimchi, a delicious and high-probiotic food, has long been a mainstay in Korean cuisine. Typically, it has red peppers, onions, garlic, scallions, cabbage, and salt. Since our gut is the foundation of our health and wellbeing, eating foods high in probiotics has many health benefits.
Research has validated various other health benefits of kimchi, including its ability to heal the digestive tract. In particular, it helps with protein digestion, cures constipation, strengthens the immune system, guards against tooth decay, and prevents nutrient shortages and obesity, among many other benefits.
Among others, studies by Professor Miri Kim at Chungnam National University showed that it is an effective way to prevent cancer, and detoxify the liver, kidneys, and small intestine.
This delicious recipe has an impressive nutritional value, which explains its numerous medicinal powers:
- Vitamin A 805 IU – 16% RDA
- Vitamin C 4.4 mg – 7% RDA
- Vitamin E 0.5 mg – 2% RDA
- Vitamin K 7.5 mcg – 9% RDA
- Thiamin -3% RDA
- Riboflavin – 2% RDA
- Niacin 0.6 mg – 3% RDA
- Vitamin B6 0.1 mg – 5% RDA
- Folate 29.5 mcg – 7% RDA
- Pantothenic Acid 0.1 mg – 1% RDA
- Choline- 2 mg
- Calcium 22.2 mg – 2% RDA
- Iron 0.7 mg – 4% RDA
- Magnesium 12.4 mg – 3% RDA
- Phosphorus 20.1 mg – 2% RDA
- Potassium 84.2 mg – 2% RDA
- Sodium 781 mg – 33% RDA
- Zinc 0.2 mg – 1% RDA
- Copper 0.1 mg – 3% RDA
- Manganese 0.2 mg – 9% RDA
- Selenium 1.4 mcg – 2% RDA
- Calories- 33.9
- Carbohydrate -7 g
- Dietary Fiber 0.8 g – 3% RDA
- Omega-3 fatty acids -25.6 mg
- Omega-6 fatty acids -137 mg
- Protein 1.1 g – 2% RDA
You can add kimchi to your salads, meat, as a side dish, or alone. Here is how to prepare it:
Homemade Kimchi
Ingredients
- 1 medium head of napa or green cabbage, shredded
- 1 bunch of green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon ginger root, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- ¼ cup water kefir
- ½ teaspoon Korean red chili pepper powder or regular red chili pepper flakes
- ½ tablespoon of sea salt
Instructions:
In a bowl, mix all the ingredients, and cover them for half an hour. Then, mash the mixture with a potato masher or a spoon to make it juicy and transfer it to a jar. Press the ingredients so that the liquid comes to the top. Leave 1 inch of space in a jar, and close with a lid.
Leave the jar aside for 3-7 days, checking the level of the liquid daily. Store it in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!
