Can fermented kimchi capsules calm an irritable gut?
NCT ID NCT07749092
First seen Aug 06, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether taking kimchi powder capsules for 8 weeks can improve gut health in adults with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either kimchi powder or an identical placebo, and researchers will track changes in IBS symptoms like abdominal pain and stool consistency. The goal is to see if this fermented food supplement offers a natural way to ease digestive discomfort.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Kimchi powder in capsule form
- What this could lead to
- If kimchi powder proves effective, it could offer a natural, food-based option to ease IBS-D symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with a modest size, and the placebo effect can be strong in IBS. Results may not apply to everyone, and the supplement might not outperform placebo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
20 to 70 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults, male or female, aged 20 to 70 years * Body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or more and less than 30 kg/m2 * Meeting the Rome IV criteria for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), defined as Bristol Stool Form Scale type 6 or 7 in 25% or more of bowel movements from 2 weeks before screening through the day of the screening visit * No inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy * Provided written agreement to refrain from consuming kimchi-containing foods for the duration of the study (approximately 2 months) Exclusion Criteria: * Drug-induced constipation * Constipation secondary to another condition, such as diabetes mellitus or thyroid disease * History of intra-abdominal surgery other than appendectomy (including gastrectomy, gastric bypass, gallbladder or biliary tract surgery, pancreatectomy, bowel resection with particular reference to the ileum, and colorectal surgery or insertion procedures) * Uncontrolled hypertension (resting blood pressure 160/100 mmHg or higher) * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (fasting blood glucose 160 mg/dL or higher) * Uncontrolled hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism * AST or ALT concentration 3 times or more the upper limit of the reference range of the testing laboratory * Creatinine concentration 2 times or more the upper limit of the reference range of the testing laboratory * Severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease or malignancy within the previous 6 months * Psychiatric disorder such as severe affective disorder, schizophrenia, or substance use disorder, or current use of related psychiatric medication (intermittent use for sleep disturbance is permitted) * Severe alcohol use disorder * Heavy smoking (20 cigarettes per day or more) * Hypersensitivity to the main ingredient or components of the study food * Severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn or dyspepsia * Use of medications or foods that may affect the study results, including kimchi and probiotics * For female volunteers, suspected pregnancy, lactation, or plan to become pregnant during the study period * Participation in another drug clinical trial within one month prior to the screening date, or planned participation * Judged unsuitable for participation by the principal investigator for reasons other than those listed above
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Irritable bowel syndrome - diarrhoea are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital
RECRUITINGYangsan, 50612, South Korea