Call it modern-day health awareness or an innate need to compensate for the amount of junk we dump into our bodies, ‘healthifying food’ is our current obsession. One of the most popular ways to do this is by replacing chips and fries with a side salad and our beers with some healthy juice or smoothie.

Whether you know this or not, kimchi has been silently doing this for you for a while now. Radish kimchi, in particular, has been at it for a long time. When it comes to adding a punch of health to your meal, kimchi is the best way to move forward.

Radish kimchi is the perfect combination of flavor and health. Every time you indulge in the vibrant flavors of this beautiful pickled radish, you are reaping innumerable health benefits. Some of these are low cholesterol levels, clear vision, weight loss, and anti-aging. This kimchi version also aids in prevention against gut cancer, healthy body development, overall wellness, and strong immunity.

While cabbage is the popular choice for kimchi, adding radish to this popular Korean side helps maintain bone, skin, and hair health.

Born and popularly used in Korea, kimchi is a low-fat, high-fiber meal served with rice, noodles, and other mains across Korea and the world. The original recipe consists of fermented cabbage, salt, vinegar, garlic, peppers, and other spices. It is usually red and adds a kick of spice and flavor to the meal.

Eventually, radish kimchi also found its place on the table. All popular food stores around the world sell both versions of kimchi today. While both kimchis are equally healthy and yummy, we will talk about some of the marvelous health benefits of radish kimchi.

A Loyal Friend to Your Body: Why Eat Radish Kimchi?

So far, it has been challenging to grow fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year. While certain vegetables deliver a better promise of health, they are not available throughout the year. This issue facilitated humans to develop innovative techniques and methods that would help them consume these vegetables throughout the year.

Pickles and kimchis found their way into our kitchens on this very premise. Radish is one of the most vibrant vegetables that promises countless health benefits. If consumed every day, radish kimchi can turn around your physical health dramatically.

Season Friendly. Radish kimchi is for all seasons. It is pickled, stored in the fridge, and eaten every day. Secondly, radishes are spring (season) friendly. They help to prepare the body for the heat. They are the perfect tonic for all seasons.

Vitamin K Magic. If you believe that fermenting vegetables kills their nutrition, kindly reconsider. Radish kimchi, for example, harbors a rarely known vitamin K. The kimchi retains all of the radish’s nutritional value while vitamin K promotes bone metabolism and energy production.

Probiotic Pool. The good bacteria in the kimchi break down sugar and lend its sour taste. These bacteria carry probiotic qualities that help with digestion, gut health, and infection control.

Anti-Inflammation. HDMPPA is one of the primary compounds in kimchi. It is known to improve blood vessel health. It helps fight against inflammatory elements. Regular consumption of radish kimchi protects against any form of inflammation caused by injuries, infections, fever, and allergies.

Protection Against Yeast Infections. Vaginal infections are quite a common phenomenon. Most of these vaginal yeast infections have now developed resistance against antibiotics. Consuming radish made kimchi can help prevent such infection and escalate recovery in an existing condition.

The best part about radish kimchi is that it is too easy to make while it is a power pack of health and goodness. There is also always an option as to when you wish to eat it. You can eat kimchi as soon as it is ready. For those who love to savor fresh flavors, this is for you. If you like the kick and sour taste of the pickle, allow the kimchi to set in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks before you start including it in your meals.

If you still have any reservations about the health benefits radish kimchi has, read on.

Radish Kimchi Health Benefits

Immunity Booster: The probiotic qualities in the kimchi activate immune cells in the body. Also, they help produce abundant antibodies. These help build our system’s immunity to help fight against diseases, infections, and flu.

Radishes are high sources of potassium and calcium. It further helps in activating the immune system.

Low Cholesterol Wizard: Radish kimchi is the answer to several heart problems. Apart from radish, garlic is another ingredient in the dish. Both garlic and radish contain elements that aid in reducing the cholesterol levels in the body. Moreover, garlic helps prevent plaque build-up in the walls of the arteries; it reduces the chances of a blockage. Radish and garlic are an ideal combination to combat cardiovascular problems.

Facilitates Clear Vision: Radish is a good source of vitamin A. Fermenting it in kimchi further enhances its properties. Every day, consuming kimchi takes care of the daily dose of vitamin A (an essential element for body fitness and child growth). Moreover, it promotes clear vision and eyesight that is the highlight of vitamin A intake.

Promotes Skin and Hair Health: Radishes are one of the best sources of vitamin C. Paired with garlic, a carrier of selenium that helps prevent wrinkles, radish kimchi promotes skin and hair health.

Anti-aging Qualities: Have you ever tried to get skin as healthy as the Koreans and failed? Have kimchi. The fermentation in this dish promotes anti-oxidant properties, which slow down the process of skin aging.

Aids in Weight Loss: The fermentation breaks down the sugar in the dish and makes it diet-friendly. Also, its low-calorie high-fiber properties promote high metabolism. It aids in the use of excess energy and increases weight loss in turn.

Source of Folate: Radish carries folate, an essential element for embryo and child development. It promotes immunity and overall wellness of the mother and child.

Builds Muscle Strength: With a high calcium level, radish kimchi helps in strengthening bones and muscles. Regular consumption of kimchi helps repair muscles and increases bone density. It is especially useful for senior citizens and women struggling with menopause.

Protection Against Certain Cancers: As a low-calorie, high-fiber vegetable, radish has strong anti-cancer properties too. It is a high source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin C that promotes strong immunity against cancer. Consuming kimchi every day helps maintain overall physical wellness.

Protection Against Common Flu: The heat in the radish grows twofold in kimchi. It carries medicinal elements that help fight against common flu and cold.

With this plethora of health benefits, rarely anyone may not be convinced to include kimchi in one’s diet. The question is whether one must eat kimchi every day. Because, as they say, “anything in excess is not good.”

Should You Eat Kimchi Every Day?

Let’s begin by looking at the nutritional value of radish kimchi.

One bowl of radish kimchi (100 g) contains

Carbs 3 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Calcium 21 mg
Potassium 127 mg
Vitamin A 20 mcg
Vitamin C 15.8 mcg
Overall calories: 17

*All data sourced from here

Naturally, then, it is safe and healthy to eat radish kimchi every day. Moreover, its high potassium, calcium, and vitamin A content help maintain the body and mind’s overall wellness.

The average Korean adult consumes at least one serving (100g) of kimchi a day, which immediately puts them over 50% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C and carotene.

Consuming radish kimchi every day provides consistent doses of essential vitamins and minerals that aid in the body’s regular functions.

Another concern consumers have has got to do with the consistency of this dish. Kimchi, any type, is usually consumed raw (straight out of the jar). There are some reservations about eating cooked kimchi. Most of these reservations come from the change in flavor and consistency, ground rules about not cooking pickles and kimchis, and fear of infections that cooked kimchi may bring.

It begs the question of health. The benefits of eating raw kimchi are well known, but one may not know enough about the benefits of consuming cooked kimchi. One may not even know if any of these benefits exist at all!

The discussion brings us to the question,

Is Cooked Kimchi Still Healthy?

Yes, it is. Kimchi is full of live probiotic cultures, which lend a unique flavor and health benefits to the dish. Cooking kimchi is known to practice, but there are techniques to engage to retain its numerous health benefits.

Cooking with Radish Kimchi

The gut-friendly probiotic bacteria cannot survive in hot temperatures. Adding kimchi at the start of the cooking exposes these good bacteria to the heat for a longer time, killing them ultimately.

Therefore, while it is okay to cook radish kimchi, it must be the last ingredient to add to the dish. Add kimchi to warm soups, curries, and rice. The warmth of the meal will cook the kimchi and still retain its numerous health benefits.

Microwaving Kimchi

Microwaving kimchi is another option that is the most convenient during office lunch hours or while fixing a quick side. While the microwave is a better and gentler option, certain factors must be kept in mind.

It is going to smell. If you are going to microwave kimchi at home, this won’t be a concern. But if this is a shared microwave at work, you must be careful about the pungent smell it may leave. It is wise to heat it in batches to minimize the odor.
Heat it slowly. Shocking refrigerated kimchi with sudden and extreme heat will spoil it immediately. It is wise to start with 10 seconds and then move forward.
Do not reheat or re-microwave the kimchi.

In Essence

Radish kimchi is the answer to every failed attempt to consume radish all year. It carries the goodness of the radish and the probiotic bodies present in the kimchi during fermentation.

It adds flavor, depth, and layers to every dish while preserving the health of the gut.