Mochi: the traditional Japanese rice cake that has the potential to kill!

Mochi is a traditional Japanese rice cake. It is made from a type of glutinous rice and is highly delicious.

But it also can kill. Every year, there is news of the death of someone due to choking on this food. Does this deadly food have any nutritive importance and health benefits?

Mochi: the traditional Japanese rice cake

The cake made from soft and chewy rice is a traditional Japanese rice cake. It is in the form of soft round buns that have to be chewed whole.

This delicacy is a specialty during the New Year celebrations of the nation. Usually, it is eaten whole but it is also put as a dumpling in a vegetable broth before consumption.

The sticky rice is first steamed and cooked. It is then pounded into a soft and sticky mass. This is made into round balls. At times, there is ice cream or another filling in the center of these balls.

The ball has to be chewed well before swallowing. The size of the ball is larger than a bit-sized and children and the elderly may find it hard to chew properly.

And due to the sticky nature of the food, it can get stuck in the throat and cause suffocation. This is especially so when a person tries to swallow an improperly chewed ball.

There have been several cases over the years of deaths due to eating these rice cakes. In 2014-2015, there were 9 deaths reported.

In 2016, this figure was one, and in 2017 there were 2 deaths. 90% of these deaths are in people above 65 years of age. Many also land in critical condition in hospitals after getting problems with this food.

Health warnings from authorities

Every year, the health authorities of Japan remind people to be careful while eating these rice cakes. They inform them to cut the rice ball into smaller sizes before eating them.

This is especially of value to the very young people and the elderly who already have difficulties chewing on other foods to due to dental issues.

But despite the warnings, not many pay heed to these warnings. The result is deaths and hospitalizations due to rice cake eating.

Nutritive value and benefits

Mochi is a plant-based food and hence has no cholesterol and also no gluten. The calories in a matchbox-sized mochi are similar to that found in a bowl of cooked rice.

A single serving of around 44-46 grams of mochi has 96 calories. There is 1 gram of fat in this and 1.0 grams of proteins. Carbs amount to 22 grams and sugars is 6 grams. There are no trans or saturated fats in it. Dietary fiber is 6 grams and sodium is just 1 mg.

Therefore, mochi is a high-carb food and can provide instant energy. Japanese farmers often consume this food during winter to enhance their stamina.

The samurai and military people used to carry this food during their expeditions because it was easy to make and carry too.

Also, read Health benefits of glutinous rice!

It has low sodium and is good for people with high blood pressure. It does not cause weight gain if consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

The fiber content is good and hence it can be of help to lower blood cholesterol and improve bowel movements. It can also prevent high blood sugar spikes.