Rice Wine 'Helps Prevent Hypertension'

The traditional Korean alcoholic beverage makgeolli, made by fermenting boiled rice and water, can apparently be used to prevent high-blood pressure.

The Department of Food and Nutrition at Silla University said Wednesday the white residue in the rice wine is effective in tempering causes of hypertension. Captopril, a prescription drug used to reduce high-blood pressure, is 90 percent effective in preventing the illness, while makgeolli has an 80 percent success rate. Not only that, it is effective in reviving liver tissue, as well as helping the circulation. Researchers advise a moderate intake of the sweet, ancestral beverage.