Korean Food Doenjang Promising in Alleviating Menopausal Syndrome and Combating Obesity: Clinical Trial

The study finds that traditional doenjang more effectively eases menopause symptoms compared to commercially produced doenjang. Among the tested doenjang samples, the one with the least beneficial bacteria produced the strongest result.

Doenjang paste is one of the ancient fermented foods in Asia that dates back over 2,000 years. It significantly predates miso paste, which first became popular in China before returning to Japan.

While miso is made from peeled soybeans that ferment over weeks, doenjang matures from several weeks to two years. It comprises unpeeled, fermented soybeans. Its subtly tangy, strong umami flavor has undertones of earthiness and nuttiness. Miso, made from peeled soybeans, is not as thick and is milder and sweeter.

Like miso, doenjang is typically salty, since it is fermented with salt, which can be a cardiometabolic concern. Both doenjang and miso can serve as the basis of broths and flavoring in various dishes.

Against the above background, A Lum Han, Department of Family Medicine, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, Republic of Korea, and colleagues aimed to compare the effectiveness of traditional Doenjang and commercial Doenjang in menopausal women. They also compared whether Doenjang has a better effect if the number of beneficial microbes is higher.

The analyses included the following groups: traditional Doenjang containing either a high dose (HDC; n = 18) or low dose (LDC; n = 18) of beneficial microbes and commercial Doenjang (CD; n = 20).

The hematological changes and Kupperman index were examined before and after using Doenjang pills. Doenjang effects on body composition and obesity were studied before and after ingestion. Lastly, the researchers compared microorganisms and short-chain fatty acid changes in the stool.

The study led to the following findings:

• The Kupperman index decreased after Doenjang consumption in all three groups, with the greatest decrease in the LDC group.
• Only the groups that took traditional Doenjang pills exhibited reduced LDL cholesterol.
• There were no changes in obesity and inflammation-related indicators.
• There was a decrease in the number of Firmicutes associated with obesity in the CD group, but the number of Bacteroidetes increased in the HDC and CD groups.

"Our findings highlight the potential of Doenjang as a natural remedy for menopausal symptoms and obesity management," the researchers wrote.

In conclusion, traditional Doenjang is more effective in easing menopausal syndrome than commercial Doenjang. There is a need for further research on the anti-obesity effect or changes in microbiomes and short-chain fatty acids in feces.

Reference:

Han, A. L., Ryu, M. S., Yang, H., Jeong, D., & Choi, K. H. (2023). Evaluation of Menopausal Syndrome Relief and Anti-Obesity Efficacy of the Korean Fermented Food Doenjang: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial. Nutrients, 16(8), 1194. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16081194