Effects of Kimchi Intake on the Gut Microbiota and Metabolite Profiles of High-Fat-Induced Obese Rats

Abstract

With rising global obesity rates, the demand for effective dietary strategies for obesity management has intensified. This study evaluated the potential of kimchi with various probiotics and bioactive compounds as a dietary intervention for high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in rats. Through a comprehensive analysis incorporating global and targeted metabolomics, gut microbiota profiling, and biochemical markers, we investigated the effects of the 12-week kimchi intake on HFD-induced obesity. Kimchi intake modestly mitigated HFD-induced weight gain and remarkably altered gut microbiota composition, steroid hormones, bile acids, and metabolic profiles, but did not reduce adipose tissue accumulation. It also caused significant shifts in metabolomic pathways, including steroid hormone metabolism, and we found substantial interactions between dietary interventions and gut microbiota composition. Although more research is required to fully understand the anti-obesity effects of kimchi, our findings support the beneficial role of kimchi in managing obesity and related metabolic disorders.