Agriculture & Food

According to research data released by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, since 2013, the output value of "medicine and food homology" products has reached more than 300 billion yuan, an annual growth rate of 14%. At present, there are a total of 93 medicinal and edible substances in my country. In addition to the familiar ingredients such as hawthorn, jujube, ginger, and yam, there are also good nourishing products such as donkey-hide gelatin, polygonatum, wolfberry, and angelica, as well as seabuckthorn and emblica seeds that have become popular in recent years. Fruits.

Among them, some of the dual-use substances for medicine and food are rarely used in China, but they are very popular abroad, and they have begun to be widely used in various food and beverages. In this article, Shiyanhui will take stock of some of the more popular medicinal and food ingredients in foreign markets.

Japanese Market: Long Pai

Perhaps most consumers have never heard of this name. In the “Announcement on Six Newly Added Substances that are Traditionally Food and Chinese Medicinal Materials, including Angelica” issued by the National Health Commission (No. 8 of 2019), long pepper, turmeric and angelica were included in the list of dual-use substances for medicine and food. It can be used as a spice. Long pepper is the immature ears of pepper plants. It is generally used as a spice. It has a special aroma and can effectively remove the peculiar smell of animal raw materials. It is especially suitable as a lo-flavored spice.

Of course, the function of long dialing is much more than that. First of all, long pepper has the effect of lowering blood lipids. Studies have shown that the piperine methyl ester in the extract of Piper longum longum can effectively reduce the level of hyperlipidemia in rats. It can significantly reduce LDL within 2-4 weeks and increase the content of HDL at the same time. Secondly, Piper longum can accelerate blood flow, dilate blood vessels, and have the effect of dispelling cold. In view of these characteristics of long pepper, Japanese functional foods often use it as an ingredient to relieve waist discomfort, lower blood pressure and blood lipids, and maintain peripheral temperature.

1) Reduce waist discomfort

Q’SAI’s lumbar support EX contains astaxanthin and long pepper extract. In a placebo-controlled trial, 30 patients with "low back pain degree I" after taking "Lumbar Support EX" for 8 weeks, the low back pain was significantly reduced, and the waist discomfort was improved, especially the middle waist/bent over which had a heavy burden on the waist The posture has been greatly improved.

2) Lower blood lipids and blood pressure

The antihypertensive health green tea launched by Taisho Pharmaceutical contains piperine extracted from long pepper as the main ingredient. In a placebo-controlled trial, after the subjects continuously ingested piperine, a source of long pepper, for 8 weeks, their blood pressure was significantly reduced, which helped to maintain normal blood pressure.

3) Improve peripheral circulation and maintain body temperature

The functional expression food honey lemon tea introduced by Oki Medicine is claimed to "maintain normal blood circulation in a cold environment" and "relieve low peripheral temperature". Studies have shown that capsaicin can activate TRPV1 channels and help maintain blood flow (peripheral blood flow) and skin surface temperature that are reduced by cold.

4) Improve women's leg swelling

The long pepper DX produced by Maruzen Pharmaceuticals is claimed to reduce nighttime leg swelling (non-pathological swelling) in healthy women. In a study, compared with the placebo intake, healthy Japanese adult women can reduce the evaluation index of leg swelling by ingesting 120μg of piperine derived from long pepper, and significantly inhibit the prolonged sitting. The ratio of extracellular water in the legs to water in the body increased (p=0.013), and temporary swelling of the legs was reduced.

American market: Dandelion

Dandelion is a weed that can be seen everywhere, but it is also a kind of nutrient-rich and excellent function of medicine and food. Dandelion is rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. It is an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K. It also contains vitamin E, folic acid and a small amount of other B vitamins, as well as minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The roots of dandelion are rich in soluble fiber, which can support the growth and maintenance of healthy flora in the intestine. In addition, dandelion also contains a high level of antioxidant β-carotene, which can provide strong protection for the human body, prevent cell damage and oxidative stress, and is useful for blood sugar and blood pressure management, immune regulation, liver health, weight loss, skin and bone health. Certain help. Dandelion is a very popular functional herbal material in the American market, and it can be found in various functional foods and beverages.

1) Support intestinal health

Dandelion root is a rich source of prebiotic fiber inulin. Studies have shown that inulin has a strong ability to help digestion and increase intestinal peristalsis.

Ice cream brand Enlightened has launched a series of fruit-flavored functional popsicles. The pineapple-flavored version adds dandelion root, turmeric root and ginger root and other herbal teas commonly used to support digestion, and is positioned to support intestinal health.

Lion Organic Tea Drink is a natural organic functional herbal tea with dandelion as the main ingredient. The main ingredients are organic dandelion leaves, organic dandelion roots, and wild dandelion flowers, which contribute to intestinal health.

2) Enhance immunity

Studies have found that dandelion extract can reduce the ability of the virus to replicate, and some active compounds in dandelion can prevent the invasion of harmful bacteria. 【1】

Numi health tea uses valerian, echinacea, elderberry, dandelion root, burdock root and other functional ingredients to help strengthen immunity.

3) Hangover and protect liver

Animal studies have found that dandelion has a protective effect on liver tissue under toxic substances and stress, which can reduce the level of excess fat stored in the liver and protect liver tissue from oxidative stress. 【2】

Nature's Way Dandelion Root Capsules help lower cholesterol and protect the liver.

4) Maintain normal blood sugar levels

Cichoric acid and chlorogenic acid are two biologically active compounds in dandelion. Studies have shown that these compounds can improve the secretion of insulin in the pancreas and at the same time improve the absorption of glucose by muscle tissue, thereby reducing blood sugar levels. 【3】

HERBAMAMA dandelion root tincture helps maintain normal blood sugar levels and regulate immunity.

2021 latest drug and food dual-use substance list

Clove, star anise, concanavali, cumin, milk thistle, yam, hawthorn, purslane, black snake, ebony, papaya, hemp kernel, Daidaihua, polygonatum, licorice, angelica, ginkgo, white lentils, White lentil flower, longan meat (longan), cassia seed, lily, nutmeg, cinnamon, emblic, bergamot, almond (sweet, bitter), sea buckthorn, oyster, ginseng, pepper, red bean, donkey-hide gelatin, chicken gold, malt, kelp , Jujube (jujube, wild jujube, black date), Luo Han Guo, Yu Li Ren, honeysuckle, green fruit, houttuynia cordata, ginger (ginger, dried ginger), Hovenia dulcis, wolfberry, gardenia, amomum, stubby, Poria, fragrant Root, Elsholtzia, Peach kernel, Mulberry leaf, Mulberry, Orange red, Platycodon grandiflorum, Yizhiren, lotus leaf, scutellaria, lotus seed, galangal, light bamboo leaf, light tempeh, chrysanthemum, chicory, yellow mustard seed, polygonatum, perilla, purple Persimmon seeds, kudzu root, black sesame, black pepper, sophora japonica, sophora japonica, dandelion, honey, torreya, wild jujube seed, fresh white grass root, fresh reed root, agkistrodon, orange peel, mint, coix seed, scallion white, raspberry, Agastache, Angelica, Shamrock, Saffron, Cao Guo, Turmeric, Supplements.