A Clinical Study for the Effect of Kimchi Intake on Colon Health of Korean Young Adults

Abstract

We evaluated effects of kimchi intake on colon health of Korean young adults. For this study, 28 participants (age range 18–36) were assigned to two groups, consumed 210 g/day of standardized kimchi (group S, n=14), or anti‐cancer kimchi (group A, n=14) for 28 days, respectively. All volunteers could take usual meal, except for antibiotics and probiotics. Serum, urine, and stool were taken from volunteers on the first and last (28th) days. We evaluated nutrient intake, anthropometric measurement, the levels of serum markers (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL‐c, LDL‐c, AST, ALT, ALP, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), TNF‐α and hs‐CRP), and the fecal markers (pH, β‐glucosidase and β‐glucuronidase). Kimchi consumption decreased in body fat mass and percentage. In serum markers, kimchi intake decreased the levels of LDL‐c (p<0.05), and increased in HDL‐c (p<0.01) and adiponectin (p<0.05). Especially, group A significantly decreased in the levels of TC, TG, and IL‐6 (p<0.05). In fecal analysis, kimchi intake decreased pH level and activities of β‐glucosidase and β‐glucuronidase (p<0.01). In conclusion, intake of kimchi can improve serum cholesterols, adiponectin, and effectively decrease fecal pH and harmful enzymes of β‐glucosidase and β‐glucuronidase. Especially, anti‐cancer kimchi showed better effect on TC, TG, and pro‐inflammatory biomarkers (IL‐6 and hs‐CRP) reduction. Thus, kimchi intake can improve human colon health.