NEWS LETTER Fresh Story Vol. 37 Jul 2021
5) COVID-19 and kimchi
The loss of life and socioeconomic slump caused by COVID-19 are unfortunate, but in the meantime, Korea’s kimchi has become more known worldwide, and kimchi exports have increased significantly. At the base of Korea, which broke through the COVID-19 crisis without a blockade, was a capable government enforcing effective quarantine measures and people who actively responded to it with patience. People who do not have such a government, and people have come to acquire kimchi through legwork.
In February, Gwyneth Paltrow (born in 1972, American actress) posted on her website that she had COVID-19, and she manages health through a chitogenic (low-carb content high-fat) and vegetable diet, refraining from sugar and alcohol, exercise, and an infrared sauna for recovery. She also said “sugarless kimchi” is an amazing food. Then, the director of the British National Health Service (NHS) warned against Paltrow’s claim, saying, “Some of the solutions she recommended are actually different from those recommended by our NHS.” But he did not point out that kimchi was not effective for COVID-19” (JoongAng Ilbo, February 25, 2021).
There was controversy over the famous actress’s praise for kimchi, but global media competitively introduced the food. BBC introduced how to make kimchi, while the Times presented failed attempts in preparing kimchi. Telegraph showed how to make kimchi fried rice, Guardian featured kimchi pancakes, and Daily Mail introduced Kimchi sandwiches (JoongAng Ilbo, March 8, 2021.)
Then, on March 31, WiKim released the results of a joint study with a research team led by Honorary Professor Jean Busquet (University of Montpellier in France). WiKim said, “We have confirmed that various ingredients of kimchi, cabbage, red peppers and garlic control the human antioxidant system and ease symptoms by blocking neural channels that detect COVID-19 symptoms” (Dong-A Ilbo, March 3, 2021). Although kimchi is not a cure for COVID-19 infections, it seems clear that it helps alleviate the symptoms.
Table 5. News release – COVID-19 and kimchi
| Date | Title | Media |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 18 | U.S. Hollywood actress Gwyneth, who had COVID-19, “Eating kimchi and recovering health” | The Asia Business Daily |
| Feb. 25 | Praised Gwyneth Paltrow for “Kimchi to overcome COVID-19,” the British government warned | JoongAng Ilbo |
| Mar. 8 | Gwyneth Paltrow’s influence … BBC posted how to make kimchi | JoongAng Ilbo |
| Mar. 31 | Lactic acid bacteria in kimchi, has excellent effect to relieve “COVID-19” symptoms | The Herald Business |
| Mar. 31 | “Korea, thanks to kimchi, it helps alleviate symptoms of COVID-19 infection” … French research team also acknowledges it | Dong-A Ilbo |
Dr. Sung Hoon Park, Chief Researcher at WiKim
- World Institute of Kimchi, 86, Kimchi-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju, 61755, Republic of Korea / TEL. +82.62.610.1700