
Are the Koreans on to something when it comes to preventing swine flu h1ni1?
According to a recent article in the Korea Times, Koreans are eating more pickled vegetables known as kimchi, to prevent swine flu and keep healthy.
"Fermented food is believed to help strengthen the human immune system, so kimchi is emerging as a good solution among health-conscious individuals," said Min-sook Baek, a food merchandiser at grocery story Gmarket which has seen a rapid increase in sales of the spicy food.
A cure for swine flu H1N1?
He is echoing research from around the world, which found pickled and fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut and from Hawaii, poi (pickled taro root) seem increase vitamin levels and beneficial enzymes to boost immunity.
It seems the act of fermenting and pickling the food, which has been used as a food preservative method for thousands of years, also seems to have positive affects on eliminating the disease.
According to health guru Dr. Weill, the key is to buy fresh kimchi or sauerkraut. The stuff that has been pasteurized is "dead."
To get kimchi make it yourself or go to your local Korean supermarket (H Mart on 32nd st in Manhattan and all over Bayside Queens). Or M2M mart on Broadway and 97th street or the east village at 12th and 3rd. ave.