For 1400 years, Japanese of all ages has been drinking Amazake for its nutritional benefits. When consumed regularly and in adequate quantities, it has been found to improve gut health, digestive system, immunity, metabolism, constipation, skin-brightening, anti-aging, hair health, good sleep, improves concentration and fatigue recovery, especially after summer heat exhaustion and hangover. That’s why it is called the “drinkable IV drip” or “drinkable beauty liquid”. Read BBC article / article by a food scientist / studies* backed up by Science for more reference. Its nutritional components include:

1. DIETARY FIBER AND GLUCOSE (COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES)

1. • Dietary fiber: It helps improve the intestinal environment, improve bowel movements and elimination, and relieve constipation. It can make you feel full longer as they cannot be fully digested or absorbed by the body.
   • Glucose: A naturally occurring sugar that helps relieve tiredness and provides immediate source of energy and nutrients to the body’s organs, muscles and nervous system. It can improve concentration and helps process complex thoughts. Since Amazake has a low glycemic index, carbohydrates are broken down slowly to produce glucose, which are released gradually into the bloodstream. It can keep blood glucose levels at an optimum level for good cognitive function.

2. DIGESTIVE ENZYMES

Amazake has different kinds of enzymes that aid digestion and improve gut health when it’s non-pasteurized. They can help break down fats, complex carbohydrates and proteins, and convert them into energy for your body to use, plus reduce the excessive components from accumulating in the body. The major enzymes include:

1. • Amylase: breaks down complex carbohydrates (starches) into simple sugar
   • Protease: breaks down proteins into amino acids
   • Lipase: breaks down fats into fatty acids
   • Cellulase: breaks down dietary fibers to Oligosaccharides

3. ESSENTIAL AND NON-ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS

Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of our bodies. They make up the proteins of our bodies and helps it to function properly. They are absolutely vital for good health.

1. • Histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine: These are the 9 essential amino acids which our bodies cannot create and they can help improve mood and sleep, increase metabolism, alleviate fatigue and stimulate muscle recovery after exercise, etc. If we lack these essential amino acids, it can cause decreased immune response, weakness, fatigue, and changes to the texture of our skin and hair.
   • Cysteine: A type of amino acids that helps nourish clear, bright skin, healthy nails, and hair. It is also a key component of keratin, which strengthens hair and prevents hair loss.
   • GABA: An amino acid that promotes the function of parasympathetic nerves, helps reduce stress and enhance relaxation effect. It also reduces high blood pressure and helps normalize the function of the liver and kidney that breaks down alcohol and discharge sodium ions.

4. PLANT-BASED PROBIOTICS & PREBIOTICS

1. • Probiotics: Made from rice koji, the probiotics in Amazake is strong and can live through gastric juice and heat. It can help restore the natural balance of your gut by increasing the quantity of “good bacteria” in your microbiome.
   • Oligosaccharide: A type of carbohydrate produced by rice Koji, it acts as a prebiotic that provides food for the good bacteria in the gut. It will reach the large intestine without being digested by the stomach or small intestine and becomes food for beneficial colonic bacteria, which breaks them down to absorbable nutrients. Bifidobacterium is one of the beneficial bacteria that fights bad bacteria and improves intestinal flora.

5. POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANTS

1. • Ergothioneine: Also an amino acid, it protects skin cells from oxidative damage and has anti-aging property.
   • Ferulic Acid: It has UV absorption properties and suppresses photo-aging of the skin.
   • Kojic acid: Produced from rice Koji, it inhibits the production of melanin in the skin, helping to reduce skin discoloration. Cosmetic products often add this ingredient for its good anti-aging property.

6. VITAMIN B COMPLEX

1. • Vitamin B1: Helps fatigue recovery and stress relief.
   • Vitamin B2: Known for metabolizing fat and maintaining healthy skin, hair and nail as well as protecting mucous membrane. It can prevent or relieve stomatitis.
   • Niacin (Vitamin B3): It supports the nervous system, digestive system and skin.
   • Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5): Also called the anti-stress vitamin, it can battle stress by helping the parasympathetic nerve. It can aid in weight loss as pantothenic acid helps break down fats and carbohydrates, plus maintain skin and hair health.
   • Vitamin B6: A water-soluble vitamin that calm and maintain a healthy nervous system. According to researches, it can help relieve depressive symptoms and PMS, as well as anti-dermatitis. It also plays a role in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates and fats.
   • Biotin (Vitamin B7): Accelerating skin cell metabolism plus the formation of collagen, improving skin and hair health. It also promotes blood circulation of the scalp.
   • Folic acid (Vitamin B9): Essential for the formation of red blood cells to prevent and fight anemia, plus essential for important development. It is a safe and secure natural supplement that is ideal for pregnant women.