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If a glass of vino a day keeps old age at bay, what about saké? Surely the Japanese skincare commercials, with their rice water wash routine and fermentation process, are more similar to the production of saké than we think? Is that why the Japanese on the other side of the continent have such incredible skin, with sprightly elderly going about their day as if they are not already 80? 

Hey, we don’t need anymore reasons to drink saké (we’re sold!), but let’s take a look at the potential health benefits of saké, painstakingly compiled by Saké Nomi, if only to convince the naysayers in our lives otherwise. A caveat, of course, that all things should be done in moderation, saké included. 

 

Diminished Risk of Cancer

In a survey of 265,000 Japanese men conducted by the National Cancer Centre of Japan, it was found that moderate saké drinkers have a lower risk of cancer than non-saké drinkers. This is due to the amino acids as well as glucosamine present in saké, which not only shrinks cancer cells, but also activates cells that are anti-tumour, preventing the growth of some types of cancer cells, such as stomach, bladder, prostate, and uterine cancer.

 

Prevents Diabetes

When a shortage of insulin causes blood sugar levels to rise, you get diabetes. In an effort to study the relationship between saké and diabetes, Dr. Okuda of Ehime University’s Medical Department injected a distilled extract of sáke kasu (or saké lees) into fat cells, and found that an insulin-like chemical in sáke kasu lowers blood sugar levels by helping fat cells absorb blood sugar. Not just that, this chemical contains adenosine, which dilates coronary vessels, and may potentially prevent cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases – which brings us to… 

 

Lower Risk of Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Disease

Studies have shown that moderate saké drinkers have higher levels of HDL-C (good cholesterol), which prevents the hardening of arteries, as well as urokinase, which releases blood clots. What’s more, saké contains nine types of peptides that work to inhibit the enzymes causing high blood pressure. 

By preventing blood clots and reducing cholesterol, there is a chance Japan’s favourite alcoholic beverage may help prevent cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases. How great is that!  

 

Healthy Aging

During fermentation in the saké mash, saké yeast accumulates S-adenosylmethionine, a compound that, if consumed regularly, may help treat depression, liver disease; alleviate osteoarthritis; even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. 

If old and agile is something you aspire to be, the amino acids present in saké as well as Cathepsin-L inhibitors in koji (one of saké’s main ingredients) may also help recover and build skeletal muscle, preventing osteoporosis. 

 

Benefits For Your Skin

Whitening

If Japanese skincare commercials haven’t already convinced you, saké, saké kasu, and koji contain an abundance of minerals that can help reduce melanin and brighten your skin. 

Smoothing 

Giving saké its flavourful bitterness is ethyl α-d-glucoside (α-EG), a compound that has been found to prevent transepidermal loss, and boost our skin’s collagen production – maintaining and improving our skin’s homeostasis and moisturizing functions. 

Anti-aging

As we already know, saké contains a chock full of amino acids (the highest of all alcoholic beverages, seven times more than red wine!) – glutamic acid, alanine, leucine, arginine, to name a few – many of which help to activate skin cells and prevent aging. 

Well, saké also contains Ferulic acid, a powerful antioxidant that prevents aging through the absorption of UV light. 

 

Saké for you?

If you’re anything like us, you don’t need health benefits to appreciate saké. Well, if you’re not, but decided to give it a shot, here are some amazing saké to start with: 

Meticulously hand-brewed using Suisei, a premium saké rice from Hokkaido, and pure melted snow is the Niseko Junmai Ginjo, a smooth, umami, gently sweet saké, with notes of melon and banana on the nose, and citrus fruit on the tongue. 

If fruity’s not your cup of saké, how about the Akaeboshi Jyunmai Daiginjo? With complex flavours that’s at once bittersweet and sour, this is a dry, mellow saké that can be enjoyed both hot and cold.

Finally, we have the Kizakura Hana Shofu, fermented with high grade Yamadanishiki rice. Take in the soft fragrance of jasmine as you enjoy the floral-fruity, medium dry, medium-bodied daiginjo. 

With reduced prices from our warehouse sale and free alcohol delivery services (for all orders $99 and above), there’s no better time to buy and try! Choose us as your preferred alcohol delivery service today!