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ObesityNCT05898802

Effect of Kimchi Intake on Body Fat in Overweight Subjects

A study testing Kimchi in people with Obesity, run by World Institute of Kimchi at 1 site in South Korea.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Kimchi, a traditional Korean food, is prepared through the fermentation of various ingredients. It has been reported that kimchi contains beneficial nutrients from its raw materials, as well as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their byproducts produced during fermentation. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 65 years
Conditions the study is for
Obesity
What is being tested?
Kimchi
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
90 participants
Where
1 siteSouth Korea
Study dates
21 Jul 2023to 9 Nov 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 65 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Willing to consent to study participation and to comply with study requirements
  • Male and female subjects, 20-65 years of age
  • BMI of 23-30 kg/m2
  • Those who agreed not to consume Kimchi during the clinical study

Who cannot join

  • Patients with crucial cerebrovascular disease (cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage etc.), or heart failure (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia etc.) or malignancy within 6 months
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (Elevated blood pressure (>160/>100))
  • Thyroid function test abnormality
  • Patients with significantly impaired kidney function: serume creatinine levels ≥2 times upper limit of normal
  • Patients with significantly impaired liver function: ALT or AST≥3 times upper limit of normal
  • Irregular or occasional gastrointestinal disorders (heartburn, indigestion, etc.)
Show all 15Show fewer
  • Having taken drugs with a known influence on weight in the previous 1 month, such as diet pills, anti-depression drugs, beta-blockers, diuretic, contraceptives, corticosteroids, or female hormones
  • Participation in other dietary programmes or services within 3 months
  • Participation in other clinical trials within the past 1 month
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Quitted smoking within 3 months
  • Pregnancy or lactation or planning on becoming pregnant
  • Have a Kimchi allergy
  • Those who are judged unsuitable by the researcher for other reasons
  • Taking probiotics within 2 weeks

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

South Korea1 site

  • Pusan National University Hospital

    Busan, 49241

Other trials in South Korea

About this study

Official title: Effect of Kimchi Intake on Body Fat in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Kimchi, a traditional Korean food, is prepared through the fermentation of various ingredients. It has been reported that kimchi contains beneficial nutrients from its raw materials, as well as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their byproducts produced during fermentation. LAB play an important role in the fermentation process, during which the dominant LAB species emerge and undergo a transition process. Depending on the species and strain of LAB, it has specific functions such as promoting weight loss, reducing inflammation, and lowering cholesterol levels. In this study, the effects of kimchi produced from traditional recipe or kimchi fermented with lactic acid bacteria, which have anti-obesity effects, on body composition changes and metabolic disease index will be investigated in subjects with a BMI of between 23~30kg / m2.

Read the detailed description

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the anti-obesity effect of kimchi fermented with the addition of specific lactic acid bacteria.

Two different kimchi, one traditional kimchi and one fermented with a lactic acid bacteria having anti-obesity effect, hereafter starter kimchi, are flash freeze dried, powdered and encapsulated. Specifically, subjects with a BMI of between 23~30kg/m2 take 1,200 mg of traditional kimchi or starter kimchi capsules three times per day before each meal, for a total of 3,600 mg per day. As a control, subjects with a BMI of 23 to 30 kg/m2 take lactose capsules in a similar form and in the same amount. The total study period is 16 weeks of intake of kimchi capsules or placebo capsules, excluding the 2 weeks of preparation period for subject selection. Before and after taking the kimchi capsule or the placebo capsule, the following evaluation criteria of the subject will be measured; DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry), BMI, Weight, Waist to Hip ratio (WHR), total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, calculate LDL-C, FFA, HbA1c, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, Adiponectin, Leptin. Also, Changes in gut microbiome composition will be determined by measuring bacterial population levels in stool samples collected before and after taking kimchi capsules or placebo capsules.

Conditions
Obesity
Being tested
Kimchi, Placebo
Keywords
Kimchi, Lactic acid bacteria
Medical subject headings
Obesity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • KimchiDietary supplement

    Two different kimchi, one traditional kimchi and one fermented with a lactic acid bacteria having anti-obesity effect, hereafter starter kimchi, are flash freeze dried, powdered and encapsulated.

  • PlaceboDietary supplement

    Lactose with kimchi flavor

Study groups in NCT05898802
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Kimchi inoculated Leuconostoc mesenteroidesExperimental3,600mg/day containing 80% Kimchi inoculated Leuconostoc mesenteroides powder (3 tablets 3 times per day after meals over the 16-week regimen)
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Kimchi
KimchiExperimental3,600mg/day containing 80% Kimchi powder (3 tablets 3 times per day after meals over the 16-week regimen)
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Kimchi
LactosePlacebo comparator3,600mg/day containing lactose placebo capsules to look identical. (3 tablets 3 times per day after meals over the 16-week regimen)
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Fat mass change in 12-week

    Fat mass is measured by DEXA(Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry)

    Measured: Baseline (Visit 2, Day 0) and Week 12 (Visit 4, Day 84 ±7)

Secondary outcomes (15)

  1. Changes in body mass index (BMI)

    BMI will be calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²) at baseline, week 6, and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

  2. Changes in body weight

    Body weight will be measured using a calibrated digital scale at baseline, week 6, and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

  3. Changes in waist to hip ratio (WHR)

    Waist to hip ratio will be calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference at baseline, week 6, and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline, Week 6, Week 12

  4. Changes in Body fat ratio (%)

    Body fat ratio (%) will be assessed by DEXA

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  5. Changes in Body lean mass (kg)

    Body lean mass (kg) will be assessed by DEXA

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  6. Changes in serum lipid profile (Total cholesterol, Triglycerides，Low-density lipoprotein，High density lipoprotein)

    Fasting blood samples will be collected to measure total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C at baseline and week 12

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  7. Changes in free fatty acids (FFA) concentration

    Serum free fatty acid concentration will be measured at baseline and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  8. Changes in HbA1c

    HbA1c levels will be measured at baseline and week 12 to assess glycemic control.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  9. Changes in fasting glucose concentration

    Fasting blood glucose concentration will be measured at baseline and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  10. Changes in insulin resistance

    Insulin resistance will be assessed using fasting insulin and glucose values at baseline and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  11. Changes in HOMA-IR value

    HOMA-IR will be calculated as [fasting insulin (μIU/mL) x fasting glucose (mg/dL)] / 405 at baseline and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  12. Changes of serum hs-CRP

    High sensitivity C-reactive protein will be measured at baseline and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  13. Changes in adiponection

    Serum adiponectin levels will be measured at baseline and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  14. Changes in leptin

    Serum leptin levels will be measured at baseline and week 12.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

  15. Change of Microbiota composite

    Fecal microbiota composition will be assessed at baseline and week 12 using 16S rRNA sequencing.

    Measured: Baseline and Week 12

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Jun 2023
  2. Study start21 Jul 2023
  3. Primary completion9 Nov 2023
  4. Study completion9 Nov 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
90 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05898802
Sponsor's protocol ID
WiKim_2210-037-119
Status last verified
Jul 2025
First submitted
2 Jun 2023
Last updated
10 Jul 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Lee W, Moon HR, Choi H, Lee HJ, Kim Y, Kim HJ, Yun YR, Kwon MS, Hong SW. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that kimchi dietary intervention modulates human antigen-presenting and CD4(+) T cells. NPJ Sci Food. 2025 Nov 17;9(1):236. doi: 10.1038/s41538-025-00593-7.

    PubMed 41249184

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Kimchi in people with Obesity, run by World Institute of Kimchi at 1 site in South Korea.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in South Korea. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Fat mass change in 12-week (time frame: Baseline (Visit 2, Day 0) and Week 12 (Visit 4, Day 84 ±7)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05898802, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Jul 2025.

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Clinical Trial NCT05898802 | AzTrials