Rakija and health are linked in our tradition. It is often said that a glass of rakija on waking or before bed is good for you. Truth or myth? We try to find out.
Alcohol has been used for medical purposes since ancient times; even the Old and New Testaments mention its healing properties. At the beginning of the 20th century a link was noticed between alcohol and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The key word, of course, is moderation: do not overdo it, that would lead you to alcoholism. Some studies concluded that people who drink occasionally are healthier than those who never drink, or those who, sadly, are alcoholics.
What do rakija and health have in common?
One rakija a day is said to act preventively against various diseases: diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and kidney stones, and to help against stress and depression, Parkinson’s disease and hepatitis A, and to be good for memory and brain function.
Many studies are said to show that spirits do not make you gain weight, although many still believe otherwise. Alcohol has calories, so a homemade quince rakija such as Akademska dunja has calories, but long-term research is said to show it does not add weight and may even lead to slight weight loss, especially in women who drink a glass a day as prevention. Alcohol speeds up metabolism and burns more calories than it stores as fat, and since rakija, like other spirits, contains no fat or cholesterol, the kilos do not go up. Different drinks, of course, have different nutritional values.
Another advantage of true homemade rakija is said to be its antibacterial properties: the high alcohol helps against colds, sore throats and coughs, and surely your parents once put rakija compresses on you to bring a fever down.
Some benefits attributed to rakija
Rakija is said to help with sleep; there is a reason people say it should be drunk after dinner. Its calming, relaxing effect is said to encourage healthy, peaceful sleep in people who have trouble sleeping.
Another is said to be lower cholesterol. Rakija, unlike other alcoholic drinks, contains no carbohydrates and very little cholesterol, so with a corrected diet and a glass a day, weight and cholesterol are said to balance out; rakija has always been known as an excellent aperitif. Thanks to antioxidant compounds, it is said to help clear bad cholesterol from the arteries.
Rakija is said to slow ageing: its antioxidant compounds are said to neutralise free radicals that damage healthy cells, preventing wrinkles, poor eyesight, cognitive problems and similar signs of age. And the polyphenols in rakija are said to reduce inflammation in the arteries, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Conclusion
As always, the aim of Akademska rakija is to teach its customers about this drink, how it is made and stored, and to raise awareness of rakija: to change the bad image it carries and lift it into a world brand, not just ours.
Our elders say: a glass of rakija a day and do not worry about your health; the old school is the best school. And Akademska rakija makes all its rakijas the old-school way.
