Reasons to drink 'makgeolli' when it rains

On rainy days, many people look for makgeolli. Alcohol is not good for health, but makgeolli contains many beneficial ingredients.

If 80% of makgeolli is water, then 10% is dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is abundant in fruits, vegetables, and seaweed, helping with bowel movements and preventing cholesterol absorption in the intestines. On average, one bottle of makgeolli (750mL) contains about 15g of dietary fiber, which is equivalent to 4 to 5 apples. The recommended daily intake of dietary fiber is about 20g.

Makgeolli also contains a lot of vitamin B. Just one glass provides about 68μg of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and about 50μg of vitamin B3 (niacin). Vitamin B is an essential nutrient necessary for converting food into energy; deficiency can lead to fatigue and loss of appetite. These components are usually settled like sediment, so it is better to shake before drinking.

The lactic acid bacteria contained in fermented rice wine, makgeolli, promote bowel movements. One bottle of makgeolli contains 70 to 80 billion lactic acid bacteria. There are even products marketed as containing "100 billion probiotics." This amount is 100 to 120 times that found in a single 65mL bottle of yogurt. Lactic acid bacteria increase beneficial bacteria in the gut and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. As beneficial bacteria increase, the intestinal immune system is activated, creating a comfortable gut environment. The reason why makgeolli contains a lot of lactic acid bacteria is because its main ingredient is nuruk. Nuruk is a fermentation agent made by cultivating mold that produces enzymes for brewing alcohol on grains. During the process where mold in nuruk breaks down carbohydrates, lactic acid bacteria such as lactobacilli are produced.

The squalene and panthenol contained in makgeolli are anticancer substances. Panthenol, a component of fruit wine aroma, exerts anticancer and antitumor effects even in trace amounts. Analysis of the panthenol content in commercially available alcoholic beverages in Korea shows that makgeolli contains 10 to 25 times more panthenol than wine or beer, which are also fermented drinks. Makgeolli also contains squalene. Squalene is an oil component found in shark liver that contributes to the production of reproductive hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. Being lipophilic and having weak surface tension, it easily penetrates cells and tissues, dissolving carcinogens and heavy metals accumulated inside, thereby facilitating their excretion from tissues and acting as a detoxifier. It is also registered as a health functional food by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

Even though makgeolli is highly effective, it is still alcohol, so it should not be consumed excessively. Since makgeolli has an alcohol content of 6-7%, men should limit their intake to 200mL per day, and women to 100mL.