Drinking alcohol is a habit many people have. Experts have even pointed out that different types of alcohol have different effects; for instance, red wine is good for the skin, so what are the effects of moderate consumption of baijiu? What are the health benefits and effects of baijiu? Do you know any of the advantages and uses of baijiu?
Baijiu is more beneficial to health than wine
The health benefits of baijiu are greater than those of wine, and the former is cleaner and more healthful than the latter. This is because traditional Chinese baijiu is made using a multi-bacterium solid-state fermentation for its starter culture, multi-dimensional microbial solid-state fermentation for brewing, and a high-temperature distillation process. During the solid-state distillation, flavor compounds in the product are selected and purified. In contrast, wine is a fermented beverage where more of its flavor compounds come from the grape raw material and later oak barrel aging.
Did you know that baijiu has the highest number of biologically active components of any alcoholic beverage in the world, nearly 1,500. These biologically active components in baijiu can mitigate alcohol damage, enhance the body's defense functions, regulate physiological rhythms, prevent diseases, and promote recovery. Therefore, moderate consumption of baijiu is very beneficial to health.
When you put it that way, it seems to make a lot of sense, right? And there's historical evidence for it too. We have an old Chinese saying, "Wine is the essence of grain." What's best for health? Of course, it's the five grains and miscellaneous cereals. And baijiu is the essence extracted from these very grains.
It turns out that in terms of its trace components, baijiu indeed contains a very rich variety of organic compounds. But that's not the main point. The key point is: these functional components come from natural fermentation, just like traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. They are both products of nature, sharing the attribute of returning to the natural world.
Foods not to eat with baijiu
1. Carbonated drinks
Everyone knows that carbonated drinks contain a large amount of carbon dioxide. Consuming them with baijiu will promote the stomach's absorption of alcohol, making you get drunk quickly.
2. Beer
Beer contains a lot of water and carbon dioxide. Drinking it with baijiu will accelerate the penetration of alcohol throughout the body, causing serious harm to the liver, stomach, intestines, kidneys, and other organs. It affects the production of digestive enzymes, reduces gastric acid secretion, and can lead to stomach cramps, acute gastroenteritis, and bleeding. The harm to the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems is even greater.
3. Sugary foods
Sugary foods are sweet. Sweetness generates acidity, and acidity generates "heat" (in the traditional Chinese medicine sense). Alcohol is considered "sweet" and "very hot" in nature. Therefore, alcohol and sugar should not be consumed together, as it can easily generate heat and cause internal imbalance, which is detrimental to health.
4. Wasabi
Wasabi is a "hot-natured" food with a strong pungency. Alcohol itself is also spicy and high in heat. Eating them together is like "adding fuel to the fire."
5. Chili peppers
Chili peppers are spicy foods. Eating them with baijiu will enhance the anesthetic effect of the alcohol.
6. Kelp
Kelp itself is very nutritious, but eating it with baijiu can cause indigestion.
7. Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain vitamin C, and baijiu contains a large amount of ethanol. When consumed together, a chemical reaction occurs that breaks different chemical bonds. The resulting chemical compounds cannot be broken down by stomach acid, leading to difficulty digesting food in the stomach and causing a feeling of chest tightness.
8. Beef
Beef has great nourishing properties and is considered "sweet" and "warm" in nature. Baijiu itself is "very warm." Eating them together can easily lead to "internal heat" (inflammation), and may also cause constipation, inflammation at the corners of the mouth, and red, sore eyes and tinnitus.
Who would have thought that baijiu has such significant medicinal value! Don't be in a hurry, there's more you wouldn't expect! Next, let's take a look at the other amazing uses of baijiu in daily life, besides its regular consumption and medicinal value!