While scrolling through Twitter a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a discussion about the health benefits of ²õ³ó¨³¦³ó¨±, Japan¡¯s indigenous distilled spirit ¡ª a topic that felt very of the moment given the connection between increased risk of dying from COVID-19 and obesity, or even just concerns about post-pandemic weight gain.
In the thread, Fukuoka-based ²õ³ó¨³¦³ó¨± expert Stephen Lyman, whose book, ¡°The Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks,¡± was recently nominated for a James Beard Award, describes how replacing beer and wine with ²õ³ó¨³¦³ó¨± once helped him shed nearly seven kilograms over the course of seven months.
In the early 2000s, ²õ³ó¨³¦³ó¨± experienced a boom in Japan, with shipments outpacing those of sake for the first time in 2003. The liquor¡¯s popularity was propelled in part by its supposed medical benefits ¡ª which ranged from preventing blood clots to curbing obesity ¡ª positioning it as a healthier alternative to other alcoholic beverages. While I¡¯d heard the drink was low in calories, I¡¯d never known anyone who had actually used it as a diet aid.
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