Cabbage to the rescue?
Can kimchi and sauerkraut be panaceas for asian bird flu? Researchers in Seoul, Korea think so. Scientists at Seoul National University report that kimchi and sauerkraut both cure birds infected with asian bird flu.
While a variant asian bird flu has been reported as transmissable to humans, and many cases of asian bird flu have already been reported in Korean fowl, no cases of bird flu transmission to humans have been reported in Korea and Japan, two countries where kimchi is very popular. If this cure proves out, a resurgence of sauerkraut (and perhaps even kimchi) may be in the future of nations not traditionally large consumers of the foods.
Still, the researchers report that it is the lactobacilli that aids in fermenting cabbage that is responsible for fighting the virus. If so, cultured buttermilk, among other foods may provide similar protection.
And if not, at least kimchi may grow in popularity, and sauerkraut and buttermilk may make a comeback as mainstream foods while definitive results are waiting.
Kimchi, anyone?
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