Effects of kimchi consumption on body fat and intestinal microbiota in overweight participants: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center clinical trial

Obesity is caused by an energy imbalance and leads to metabolic syndrome and diseases. The gut microbiota, influenced by diet, crucially impacts obesity. Kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food rich in lactic acid bacteria, may alter gut microbiota composition. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 90 participants (BMI 23–30 kg/m2) to investigate the anti-obesity effects of kimchi. Participants consumed 3000 mg of spontaneously fermented kimchi powder (S-K) or starter-fermented kimchi powder with Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCKM0828 (LMS-K) daily for 12 weeks, while the placebo group consumed lactose. Both the S-K and LMS-K groups exhibited a significant reduction in body fat mass compared to the placebo group (S-K: p = 0.004, LMS-K: p = 0.003). Kimchi consumption also increased the proportion of Akkermansia muciniphila while decreasing that of Proteobacteria. Cumulatively, these findings suggest that daily kimchi consumption may alleviate obesity symptoms by regulating gut microbiota.