Makgeolli could be healthier than other alcohols, study says

Makgeolli, a Korean alcoholic beverage made from a fermented mixture of rice and wheat, is found to contain a higher level of squalene than other alcohols, according to the Korea Food Research Institute yesterday.

Squalene is a compound that is generally extracted from shark livers and is known for its health benefits, such as boosting resistance to cancer.

The research institute found that the rice beer contains 1,260 to 4,560 micrograms of squalene per kilogram, up to 200 times more than wine (10 to 20 micrograms per kilogram) and 50 times than beer (30 to 60 micrograms per kilogram).

Back in 2011, the research center also detected 150 to 500 parts per billion of the anticancer agent farnesol in samples of makgeolli - much higher than the 15 to 20 parts per billion of the natural organic compound found in beer and wine.