Just Before Midsummer! As Midsummer Days Arrive Before We Get Used to the Heat, Brooklyn Ribbon Fries Launches a Special Ginger Ale with Approximately 1.8 Times the 'Shogaol' – a Doctor-Recommended 'Drinkable Heat Acclimation' – to Combat Heatstroke

Brooklyn Ribbon Fries, a restaurant known for its spiral-cut french fries and handmade ginger ale, has developed the 'Shogaol Ginger Ale,' which contains approximately 1.8 times the usual amount of the ginger compound 'shogaol,' often referred to as an 'edible sauna.' It will be available for a limited time starting Thursday, June 4th.

## Background

The Japan Meteorological Agency has announced that this year will see an earlier-than-usual onset of summer heat, with many regions recording midsummer days from May. When the body is not accustomed to sudden temperature rises, the risk of heatstroke increases. Consequently, 'heat acclimation' – preparing the body for heat before summer fully arrives – has been gaining attention in recent years.

Since its founding, Brooklyn Ribbon Fries has pursued 'the deliciousness and potential of ginger' through its handmade craft ginger ale. Focusing on the theme of 'heat acclimation,' the company turned its attention to 'shogaol,' a pungent compound produced when ginger is heated and dried. Shogaol is expected to be compatible with heat acclimation as it warms the body from within and promotes sweating.

With the theme of 'building a body that can withstand sudden heat,' the company proposes this new menu item as a delicious way to achieve heat acclimation before the peak of summer.

## About the Limited-Time New Menu Item 'Shogaol Ginger Ale'

The newly developed 'Shogaol Ginger Ale' is a special menu item based on Brooklyn Ribbon Fries' standard craft ginger ale, 'B.R.F Ginger Ale,' with the shogaol content increased by approximately 1.8 times*1. One serving provides the shogaol equivalent of more than two pieces of ginger*2.

By increasing the shogaol content, the drink gains an even spicier, craft-like flavor characteristic of Brooklyn Ribbon Fries. It is an 'adult-oriented' ginger ale featuring the sharp, stimulating sensation unique to ginger, a deep spiciness from a blend of multiple spices, and a crisp carbonation. This limited pre-summer drink offers not only a refreshing sensation upon drinking but also a gradual feeling of warmth spreading from within the body as you continue to drink.

## Product Overview

- Product Name: Shogaol Ginger Ale
- Sales Period: Thursday, June 4th – Tuesday, June 30th
- Price: 500 yen (tax included)
- Sales Location: BROOKLYN RIBBON FRIES KOMAZAWA
- Address: 2-14-11 Higashigaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
- Business Hours: [Lunch] Tuesday-Friday 11:00-17:00 (Last Order 16:30), Saturday-Sunday 11:00-17:00 (Last Order 16:00); [Dinner] Tuesday-Sunday 18:00-22:30 (Last Order 22:00)

*1: The shogaol content of the 'Shogaol Ginger Ale' was measured by Ikeda Tohka Industries, the supplier of the shogaol ingredient.
*2: Calculated based on one piece of ginger being 80g (5.2μg of shogaol per 1g of raw ginger, according to Ikeda Tohka Industries). Values may vary depending on the type of ginger and season.

## Comment from Ryuzaburo Imamura, Owner of Brooklyn Ribbon Fries

'The B.R.F Ginger Ale is a signature menu item at Brooklyn Ribbon Fries, alongside our french fries. It uses an original ginger syrup carefully made in-house, offering a well-balanced, natural sweetness and a stimulating spiciness with our unique blend.

For this occasion, to help everyone healthily get through the harsh upcoming summer, we have created a special ginger ale based on the B.R.F Ginger Ale, adding the 'edible sauna' shogaol to support heat acclimation.

Shogaol, which warms the body from within, is a component you want to take in during this period when heat acclimation is recommended. Before the real summer arrives, let's start heat acclimation deliciously and enjoyably with this special craft ginger ale!'

## 'Shogaol' is Effective for Heat Acclimation! Commentary by Dr. Niina Ishihara, Deputy Director of Ishihara Clinic

It's too late to start after it gets hot; it's important to 'build a body that sweats before the heat arrives'! The importance of 'drinkable heat acclimation' and its relationship with ginger ale.

This year, many regions recorded midsummer days from May, and the Japan Meteorological Agency announced the 'possibility of an earlier onset of summer heat.' In recent years, cases of experiencing midsummer days before the body has adapted to the heat have increased due to rapid temperature rises. In this context, 'heat acclimation' – creating a habit of sweating before the peak of summer to accustom the body to the heat – is crucial as a heatstroke countermeasure.

Many people associate heat acclimation with walking, bathing, or light exercise, but not everyone finds it easy to maintain daily. Therefore, a method that can be easily incorporated into daily life is the concept of 'being mindful of heat acclimation by drinking.'

The ginger-derived compound 'shogaol' is particularly expected to warm the body from within and promote sweating. Consuming it in the form of ginger ale, which is relatively easy to take even during hot weather, could be a fun way to become aware of heat acclimation.

It is said that the heat will arrive earlier than usual this year. Rather than taking measures after it gets hot, the mindset of 'acclimating the body before the heat arrives' will be important for future heatstroke prevention.

## What is Heat Acclimation?

'Heat acclimation' refers to getting the body used to the heat. When a person is not accustomed to heat, they cannot sweat effectively, making it easier for heat to build up in the body, which increases the risk of heatstroke.

Conversely, by sweating moderately and getting the body used to the heat before the peak of summer, the body's thermoregulation function works more efficiently, leading to a physique that can better cope with the heat.

In recent years, as temperatures rise earlier, awareness of the term 'heat acclimation' itself has spread, and it is increasingly featured on TV and web news.

## About Shogaol

Effective for such 'heat acclimation' is 'shogaol,' a natural component of ginger. It is produced when ginger is heated and dried, and its main effects include 'blood flow promotion' by dilating blood vessels, 'improvement of bowel movements' by raising internal organ temperature and activating intestinal function, and 'immune system strengthening.'

These effects are similar to those of a sauna, and in recent years, shogaol has been gaining attention as an 'edible sauna.'

(Profile)
Deputy Director of Ishihara Clinic, Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine, Member of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine. Dr. Niina Ishihara.
Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. Member of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine. Specially Appointed Professor at Akita Nutrition Junior College. Graduated from Teikyo University School of Medicine in 2006. After two years of initial training at the university hospital, she studied Kampo medicine and natural medicine at her father, Dr. Yushi Ishihara's clinic.