Many people know that drinking alcohol can ward off the cold. Among alcoholic beverages, rice wine is the most effective for this purpose. Drinking warm rice wine, in particular, can help promote blood circulation, boost metabolism, and has the effects of nourishing the blood and complexion, invigorating blood to dispel cold, and unblocking the meridians. It can effectively resist the stimulation of cold and prevent colds.
Rice wine is a low-alcohol, unblended wine brewed through biological fermentation, using grain as the raw material and yeast and wheat Qu as the saccharification and fermentation agents. Rice wine contains 20 amino acids, including the 8 essential amino acids required by the human body, the highest content among all brewed wines, earning it the reputation of "liquid cake." The wine also contains trace amounts of vitamins, minerals such as zinc, iron, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. The high content of macro-elements like calcium and phosphorus in rice wine is beneficial for the human body's absorption of these elements. For the elderly who are deficient in calcium, rice wine is the most ideal low-alcoholic beverage. These trace components together constitute the unique and typical style of rice wine.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, rice wine is considered very "hot" in nature and has a sweet and pungent taste. It is believed to have various effects, such as enhancing the efficacy of other medicines, promoting blood circulation, nourishing the intestines, moisturizing the skin, dispelling dampness, tonifying the spleen, supporting the liver, expelling wind, and promoting the downward flow of Qi. It is particularly beneficial when consumed warm. Drinking rice wine in the winter can invigorate blood to dispel cold, unblock the meridians, effectively resist the cold, and prevent colds. Adding ginger slices to the rice wine before boiling and drinking it not only invigorates blood and dispels cold but also stimulates the appetite and strengthens the spleen. For example, people who experience a cold stomach, fear of cold, and cold limbs in winter can drink a small cup of warm rice wine daily to unblock the blood vessels and warm the limbs, alleviating the sensation of cold. For those who often suffer from weakness, coldness, and pain in the stomach and intestines during winter, drinking a small cup of warm rice wine daily can dispel cold and relieve pain, providing a good therapeutic effect. For the elderly who experience lower back pain, numbness in hands and feet, or tremors in winter, consuming a small amount of rice wine is also very beneficial.
Although rice wine has a low alcohol content, it still contains trace amounts of harmful organic compounds such as methanol, aldehydes, and ethers. The boiling points of aldehydes and ethers are relatively low, vaporizing at around 20°C to 35°C, while the boiling point of methanol is only about 64°C. Therefore, it is best to heat the rice wine in a water bath to about 70°C before drinking. At this temperature, the harmful substances will volatilize as the temperature rises. Furthermore, the aromatic ester substances in the wine will also be released, making the wine's aroma more fragrant and rich. Therefore, it is best to drink rice wine warm in the winter, either by placing the container in hot water or warming it over a flame. The heating time should not be too long, otherwise the alcohol will evaporate, leaving the wine bland and tasteless. Although the alcohol content is low, it should still be consumed in moderation, with a daily intake not exceeding 200 grams being generally recommended.