Rice Koji Amazake - A superfood also known as a "drinkable IV drip" or "drinkable beauty serum"

November 30, 2019

COLUMN

Amazake is known as a "drinkable IV drip" or a "drinkable beauty serum."
Japanese fermented drinks, which can now be found in convenience stores and supermarkets these days, are said to be good for health and beauty, as well as effective for dieting.
Today I will introduce you to what amazake is and what effects it has.

First of all, there are two main types of "amazake."

The first is amazake made using rice koji.
The other is amazake, which is made using sake lees.

Rice koji amazake is made by adding rice koji to rice.
It contains no alcohol and no added sugar.
Although it is sweet sake, it does not contain any sugar.

On the other hand, amazake made from sake lees is made by adding sugar to sake lees.
It contains alcohol as it is produced during the sake brewing process.

Amazake made from sake lees is also very good, but with the recent beauty boom, it's "rice koji amazake" that's been gaining attention.
The protein blend used in GRØN is a powdered form of rice koji amazake, and this time we'll be talking about this powder.

Why is amazake called "drinkable IV drip"?

The reason is simple: it contains almost the same nutrients as the intravenous drips you get at the hospital.
In other words, it is said that amazake contains the minimum amount of nutrients that humans need to maintain their health.

The main nutrient in amazake is "dextrose," also known as glucose.
"Glucose is the most important source of energy for cellular respiration." ( Quoted from Wikipedia )
It is said to be an important nutrient for humans.
Since it has already been broken down by the koji mold, it can be quickly converted into energy, so it is highly recommended to take it before exercising.

Amazake is also recommended as a way to replenish your energy when you are tired or suffering from summer fatigue.
The ingredient "amylase" contained in the koji mold in amazake is also found in saliva and aids in digestion and absorption.
Therefore, when you are tired or suffering from summer fatigue, and your stomach acid secretion is not working properly, amazake helps with absorption.
Amazake is often thought of as something to drink in the winter, but the reason "amazake" is a summer seasonal word in haiku is because it has long been valued as a remedy for summer fatigue.

Why is amazake called a "drinkable beauty serum"?

First of all, it is said that the kojic acid contained in amazake is responsible for whitening and beautiful skin.
This is said to be the reason why people in the rice-growing Tohoku region and those who make sake have white, shiny skin.
Kojic acid acts directly on the production of melanin, so it is said to prevent blemishes and dullness and improve skin beauty.
It is also rich in B vitamins, which are said to increase energy metabolism and relieve fatigue, thus promoting beautiful skin.

Why is it said that drinking amazake helps you lose weight?

The reasons for this are dietary fiber, oligosaccharides, and the aforementioned glucose.
Dietary fiber and oligosaccharides increase the number of good bacteria in the intestines, regulating the intestines. Glucose is quickly absorbed and sends a signal to the brain that you are full, which is said to prevent overeating.

In addition, histidine, a type of amino acid contained in amazake, is said to have the effect of suppressing appetite and promoting fat burning.

It is said that by "cleaning your intestines," eating only until you are "80% full," and "promoting fat burning," you can achieve a healthy, slim body.

Rich in amino acids

It also contains plenty of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.
In addition to BCAAs such as leucine and valine, amazake also contains amino acids that stabilize mental function.

These types of amino acids include tryptophan, phenylalanine, methionine, and GABA.
It is also said to be useful in improving depression and insomnia, and tryptophan is known as the "happiness hormone."

The happy feeling you get when you eat something sweet is due to these amino acids bringing that happiness.

Amazake, which makes the body happy, is one of Japan's traditional superfoods.
I was surprised to learn that it is made simply by adding rice koji to rice.

The amazake used at GRØN is made using local rice from Okayama Prefecture.
This product has been made with great care by producers, with the aim of using the wisdom of survival handed down from ancient times and locally grown rice in a form that is more nutritious and easier to preserve.

I would be happy if this delicious sweetness could contribute even a little to the health of those who eat it.

<GRØN products that use the material>

Protein Blend Green Monster 20g / 320 yen (excluding tax)