Over the last couple of years, there has been a trend in the global health community to turn to the Japanese for tips and tricks on how to live a healthier life. Understandably so, considering how Japan is known for having one of the longest life expectancies in the world! Japanese matcha has become a cult green tea prized for energy-boosting nutritional benefits – without the coffee-induced caffeine crash. And people are raving about fermented Japanese foods like miso and kombucha as being vital for our gut health.
So then, what about sake? After all, it is Japan’s national alcoholic drink, consumed for almost 2,000 years.
Can sake be one of Japan’s longevity secrets?
Luckily for us, the answer to this question is a big YES. Sake is not just delicious or trendy but so much more! Here, we explore the 3 most notable health benefits of drinking sake.
As discussed in our Sake 101, sake is purely made from natural ingredients. It is packed full of vitamins, minerals and gut-friendly bacteria crucial for our wellbeing. Sake also has a lot of amino acids (seven times more than wine!) which not only lead to sake’s delicious umami flavour but does wonders for our health too.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. When speaking of our immune system, proteins play a big role as they are necessary for not only helping to prevent the cold and flu but in decreasing their duration as well.
Given how our bodies do not naturally produce all of the essential amino acids needed to build a robust immune system, we must look for external assistance. While protein supplements or the foods you choose to eat can obviously be your go-to’s, why not appreciate Japanese craftsmanship while you’re at it by getting your fix of essential amino acids through sake?
Peptides are comprised of two or more amino acids that are linked to each other. They are great for our body in that they burn fat, build muscle, and lower high blood pressure! Specifically, sake has 9 types ofpeptidesthat inhibit the enzymes which, if activated in excess, cause high blood pressure. Peptides have also been found to inhibit PEP – the main culprit of Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Sake is a Beauty Elixir
Have you ever walked into the beauty department or a drug store when in Japan? If so, you might have been surprised by the number of face masks, hand lotions and cosmetic products that are made from sake and sake lees.
This is because of sake’s moisturizing and skin whitening effects. Sake’s moisturizing elements include glycerol, saccharides and amino acids, often used in beauty products. And in addition to the prevention of rough skin, koji (one of the main ingredients in sake) inhibits the performance of melanin, which is the main culprit of sunspots, age spots, and freckles.
With all this being said, please do keep in mind the golden rule of appreciating everything in moderation! It is amazing that sake has all of these health benefits. But as with any other types of alcohol, heavy drinking will reverse any of these upsides.
Furthermore, it has been reported that sake kasu and its components of protein and peptides have many benefits such as promoting blood alcohol metabolism, suppressing blood pressure increase, reducing cholesterol, lowering blood triglycerides, and warming the body by improving blood flow.
Furthermore, it has been reported that sake kasu and its components of protein and peptides have many benefits such as promoting blood alcohol metabolism, suppressing blood pressure increase, reducing cholesterol, lowering blood triglycerides, and warming the body by improving blood flow.
Sake may contain a lactic acid bacteria called lactobacillus. Lactobacillus is a probiotic that can help with digestive problems, particularly diarrhea caused by disease or antibiotic use.
While sake mediates divine beings and humans, it also acts as an important medium to bring people together, found throughout many scenes in Japanese history and culture. Sharing sake symbolizes tying together a relationship. At a traditional Japanese wedding, the bride and the groom share three cups of sake.
Compared with wine, sake has less sugar and less of the impurities and byproducts of fermentation in alcoholic beverages, called “cogeners,” thought to cause hangovers and disrupt sleep. Therefore sake may improve sleep quality, Middleberg says.
The amino acids created during the fermentation are potent hydrating agents, specifically glutamic acid. Glutamic acid helps skin retain moisture, preventing the moisture on your skin from evaporating.
On the whole, sake does not rank highly on the list of hangover inducing beverages because it is simply fermented rice and water. Also, sake has no sulfites, 1/3 the acidity of wine, and very low histamines – all three of which have been known to produce hangovers in other libations.
In addition to the risk of cancer, heavy drinkers may have the following: High blood pressure; Heart disease; Liver failure; Stroke ; Pancreatitis; Alcohol withdrawal syndrome; Drinking a lot of alcohol in a short time can lead to alcohol poisoning and alcohol-related injuries. Sake can be good if drunk in moderation.
Junmai sake has many amino acids that are particularly good for beauty. Junmai sake is usually dry, but jozo sake is made by adding brewed alcohol. For those who want to enjoy the taste and enjoy the effect by drinking a small amount continuously, jozo sake is recommended.
Sake is meant to be a team sport, whether it's accompanying a Michelin-starred meal, or paired with your roommates' pizza on the couch. “The tradition of pouring for others and not directly for yourself is an act of politeness in Japanese culture,” Nes Rueda, managing director of Heavensake, says.
Like any other alcohol, over-consumption of sake can lead to health problems. Heavy drinkers may face problems with high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease and other equally unpleasant consequences. However, sake does not have an increased risk of these problems compared to other alcohols.
Heavy drinkers may face problems with high blood pressure, heart disease, liver disease and other equally unpleasant consequences. However, sake does not have an increased risk of these problems compared to other alcohols. In fact, all of these problems exist with any alcohol.
As discussed in our Sake 101, sake is purely made from natural ingredients. It is packed full of vitamins, minerals and gut-friendly bacteria crucial for our wellbeing. Sake also has a lot of amino acids (seven times more than wine!)
There are many types of peptides, each with different properties. One of the peptides found in sake is effective in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. This peptide is actively used to prevent high blood pressure and diabetes.
Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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