Health effects of Tokaji Aszus

There are several notes and experiments about the healing effect of Tokaji Aszus in the World.

Tokaji wines are honoured for their positive effects on the digestive system, nerve system and also suggested to prevent anaemia. It is also a scientific fact that Aszus have a invigorating effect on the body and has a positive effect on the bones due to their high phosphorus content. Its high natural sugar and acid content are also strengthening and can help prevent heart and circulatory problems. 

There are several compounds in Aszu  wines that have a positive effect on the body including poliphenols, biogene amines, metal ions vitamins and penicilin.

Penicilin:

As a result of phenols and amino acids in Aszu berries and Aszu wines penicilin derivatives can be formed that help kill bacteria and heal related diseases.

Vitamines:

Several essential vitamines, trace elements and minerals are found in Tokaji Aszu wines. Vitamin B has a multiple effect on the body: regulating blood sugar level, muscle strengths, improves the operation of endocrine gland function and can even heal nerve problems. Vitamin B12 helps tie iron in the body, form red blood cells thus fight against anaemia. It is important to note that Tokaji Essence wines ha a lot higher Vitamin B concentrate in general than other Tokaji Aszus.

Poliphenols:

Poliphenols are admired for their antioxidant effects and their ability to reduce free radicals in the body.

Experiments show that the poliphenol concentrate is significantly higher in Aszu wine than generally in any other white wines.

Metal ions:

The most important ones in Tokaji wines and Aszus are potassium, calcium and magnesium. Potassium is responsible for hte proper operation of the heart muscles, reflexes and the coordination of muscle movements. The lack of potassium causes cardiac arrhythmia, increases the pulse and decreases blood pressure. Potassium also has a positive effect on your stomach and intestines, helps the operation of the gall, strengthens the bones and protects from arteriosclerosis.

Biogene amines:

The following biogene amines can be found in wines:

- histamine known for its blood pressure reducing effect

- tiramine that increases that increases blood pressure

- serotonine which has an important role in transfer stimuli and is  a possible medicine for depression.

Shall we change to old saying to:

A sip of Tokaji everyday, keeps the doctor away?!

Tokaji Aszus were investigated for its health effects, and  its impact on the immune system, for centuries, bottles were sold in pharmacies and been used for spiritual meditation, too.

Loess wall at the Szerelmi Slope

One of the greatest lover and investigator of Tokaji Aszus was Paracelsus (1493-1541) who was a Swiss physician and alchemist and probably the most influential medical scientists in early modern Europe. He even visited the Tokaj vineyards, to carry out tests on the fertile soils, vines, Aszu berries and its wines healing effects.

 ”During my travels in Upper-Hungary, through Tokaj and its region: Mád, Tarcal, Tállya, I met a host who cut a vine-root into two. Inside of the vine there were golden lines which are used for weaving.”

The local pharmacy was named after him and has a bronze plaque  stating Paracelsus visits and activities in Tokaj.

Paracelsus real name was Theophrastus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim and he was the son of a doctor. After a brief period as a medical student in Italy, he travelled all over Europe and beyond as a military surgeon with the Venetian army, visiting Russia, Arabia and Egypt along the way. Mixing with people from many cultures, he gained considerable knowledge of several folk medicine traditions. ‘I have not been ashamed’, he wrote, ‘to learn from tramps, butchers and barbers.’ These influences led him to reject much of university-taught medicine.

He changed his name to Paracelsus (‘equal to Celsus’) to indicate that he wanted to rival ancient medical authorities such as Galen and Celsus. He rejected Galen’s claim that health and disease were controlled by the four humours: blood, phlegm, black bile and yellow bile; and told doctors to study nature and develop personal experience through experiment. On the other hand, he continued to subscribe to all kinds of folk beliefs such as gnomes, spirits and fairies.

Paracelsus also had some training in alchemy, from which he picked up the principle that metals were the key elements which made up the universe, and that they were subject to control by God, the ‘great magician’ who created nature.

Paracelsus argued that the body was a chemical system which had to be balanced not only internally, but which also had to be in harmony with its environment. On the basis of this idea, Paracelsus introduced new chemical substances into medicine, for instance the use of the metal mercury for the treatment of syphilis.

He is also credited for giving zinc its name, calling it zincum,and for the terms "gas," "chemistry," and "alcohol." Modern psychology often also credits him for being the first to note that some diseases are rooted in psychological illness.

In 1526 he was appointed Professor of Medicine at the University of Basel, Switzerland. Paracelsus overthrew convention by publicly burning the books of Ibn Sina and Galen. He also invited ordinary citizens to his lectures, which he gave wearing an alchemist’s leather apron rather than an academic gown. His new methods were very controversial, and in 1538 he was exiled from Basel. He died in 1541 in Austria.

If you think you are ready for the effects of Tokaji Aszu, try it sip by sip!

Your journey has just begun to Paradise!