I. Top 10 raw materials and application scenarios
GABA was the most reported raw material, with a number of 126 kinds, and its main functions were related to improving sleep, relieving stress and fatigue. The number of applications of lutein & zeaxanthin and DHA&EPA ranked second and third, respectively. The number of applications of lutein & zeaxanthin reached 73, and its main function was eye protection. The number of DHA&EPA applications was 43, and the main functions were related to improving memory and cognitive function and supporting cardiovascular health.
In terms of application scenarios, cardiovascular health (mainly reducing three high levels), weight management, and improving sleep/relieving fatigue and stress ranked the top three, which were the functional directions that the Japanese market was currently paying more attention to.
Ii. Functional raw materials used in different application scenarios
1. Cardiovascular health
Raw materials: DHA/EPA, lycopene, GABA, Bonito elastin peptide, 3- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propionic acid (HMPA), 5-aminolevulinic acid phosphate, corosolic acid from banana leaves, isomaltodextrin, ellagic acid, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), elementalgallic acid, Chacin, Salacinol, acetic acid, β-glucan from barley, mono-glucosyl hesperidin, hydroxytyrosol from olive, Geniposidic acid from Eucommia leaves, olive oil polyphenols, guar gum decomposition, rice monochloride polyketone, Proanthocyanidins (apple, pine bark, Acacia bark source), Quercetin, eggplant choline ester (Ach), Mulberry leaf iminosugar, coffee source chlorogenic acid, α-linolenic acid, γ-oryzanol.
Cardiovascular health is mainly about lowering three highs and maintaining the flexibility of blood vessels. Lowering three highs mainly includes lowering blood pressure, inhibiting the absorption of postprandial blood glucose and fat, and reducing fasting blood glucose. Corosolic acid from banana leaves and proanthocyanidins from acacia bark can reduce fasting blood glucose levels in healthy individuals; Bonito elastin peptide, proanthocyanidins B1 and B3 from pine bark, and geniposide acid from folium cortex eucommiae help to maintain vascular flexibility (the degree of vasodilatation after contraction), which decreases with age.
The elastin supplement introduced by Japanese pharmacists is designed to maintain the softness of blood vessels.
2. Weight management
Main raw materials: Black ginger polymethoxyflavone, 3- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propionic acid (HMPA), Aloxone, Aloxitol, tea catechin, soybean β with soybean globulin, isoflavone from Pueraria lobata, Fructooligosaccharides, Glabricin from licorice, chlorogenic acid from coffee bean, epigallocatechin, Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), ellagic acid, rosefruit tilia glycoside, fucoxanthin, fucose, proanthocyanidins from apple, medium chain fatty acids (octanoic acid, decanoic acid), Pne-12 Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus plantarum OLL2712.
Black ginger polyoxyflavone is still the star raw material in the Japanese weight loss market in 2022, which can promote fat consumption in daily energy metabolism. Ellagic acid, HMPA, pueraria-derived isoflavones, catechin, glabricin and fucoxanthin can reduce abdominal fat (including visceral fat and subcutaneous fat) in patients with higher BMI. Food research has noted that the star raw material of sugar, oxoxlose, is also gradually used in weight loss products, and studies have found that oxoxlose can promote fat burning during exercise.
Black ginger Extra Grade EX contains black ginger polyoxyflavone, which can speed up fat consumption in energy metabolism and reduce visceral and subcutaneous fat.
3. Improve sleep/relieve fatigue and stress
Improve sleep: GABA, Rafma source hypericin and isoquercitrin, L-theanine, L-ornithine hydrochloride, saffron acid, aged garlic extract (active ingredients: S-allyl cysteine, arginine), coenzyme Q10, curcumin, lactic acid strain NY1301.
Relieve fatigue and stress: Nudido β-1, 3-glucan, astaxanthin, 5-aminolevulinic phosphate, GABA, Moringa oleifera derived from glucoside, citric acid, S-allyl cysteine, aged garlic extract (Efficacy ingredients: S-allyl cysteine, arginine), coenzyme Q10, black bean polyphenol, imidazole dipeptide, Lactobacillus NY1301 strain, histidine, rosmarinic acid, quercetin/quercetin.
Kirin imuse series of new "Immune Support x Good Sleep" dual-action supplement, adding L-ornithine hydrochloride and plasma Lactobacillus, L-ornithine hydrochloride can improve sleep quality, reduce fatigue after waking up.
4. Gastrointestinal health
Probiotics: Bifidobacterium BB536, Bacillus clogens SANK70258, Lactobacillus NY1301, Lactobacillus grigneri OLL2716, Lactobacillus grigneri SBT2055, Bacillus subtilis K-2 spores, sterilized Lactobacillus strain EC12, Lactobacillus GR-1 (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) and Lactobacillus RC-14 (Lactobacillus roytii), Bifidobacterium LKM513, plant lactic acid bacteria K-1. Dietary fiber: Galactooligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, guar gum breakdown, inulin, dietary fiber from plantaginis seed coat, resistant dextrin, lactulose, fucose, isomaltodextrin, cocoa lignin.
In terms of GI health, the main declared benefits include relieving constipation and promoting the colonization of beneficial bacteria to regulate the GI environment and support GI health. Bifidobacterium BB536 and Bacillus coagulans SANK70258 were the most used two probiotics. In terms of dietary fiber, resistance and inulin were the most used in new varieties.
5. Skincare
Keep skin moisture, elasticity, and improve dry skin: GABA, hyaluronic acid, glucose neuroamide (pineapple, rice, konjac source), Lactobacillus SC-2, collagen peptide/collagen tripeptide (GPHyp), sphingomyelin, soy isoflavones, azalea ketone B, salmon nose cartilage derived proteoglycan, taxol from seed of love fruit, lycopene H, dietary fiber from barley tender leaves, coffee beans Chlorogenic acid, dragonol and cycloxyloxyphenol from aloe, sulforaphane glucoside from glucoside, chondroitin sulfate and hydroxyproline from shark cartilage, sacranol 6-C-glucoside, plant Lactobacillus K-1, phycocyanin.
This year's skin care products mainly focus on moisturizing, moisturizing raw materials show a diversified trend, in addition to the common GABA, glucose-ceramide, collagen, hyaluronic acid, soybean isoflavone, barley leaf source dietary fiber, implanted Lactobacillus K-1, phycocyanin and other new raw materials are gradually applied to moisturizing products.
The soy beverage launched by Otsuka Foods is mainly composed of soy isoflavones, and its declared function is to "keep the skin moist" and "promote the bone health of middle-aged and elderly women". Studies have shown that after healthy middle-aged and elderly women consume soy isoflavones, the keratin water content is significantly higher than that of the control group, which confirms the positive effect of soy isoflavones on keeping the skin moist. In addition, soy isoflavones are similar to estrogen and can compensate for the decline of estrogen in middle-aged and older women.
6. Eye protection
Main raw materials: lutein/zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, Tibetan acid, anthocyanin from cranberry fruit, sacherol 6-C-glucoside.
Lutein/zeaxanthin, which almost monopolizes the Japanese eye care market, is used in combination with other eye care ingredients such as "all-purpose" astaxanthin, anthocyanin from cranberry fruit, and Tibetan acid to improve their effectiveness.
7. Improved memory/cognitive function
Main raw materials: DHA/EPA, GABA, theosine, Ginkgo biloba flavonoside and ginkgo biloba terpene lactones, soy source phosphatidylserine (PS), astaxanthin, pyrrole quinoline disodium salt (PQQ), tenrillin, Phospholipid acetal (sea squirt, chicken, scallop source), curcumin, mustard source 6-methylsulfoylhexyl isothiocyanate (6-MSITC), ergot Thiosin, diosgenin, saponin.
In addition to the hot raw materials DHA/EPA and GABA, some niche potential raw materials are beginning to be used, such as ginkgo biloba flavonoid glycosides and ginkgo biloba terpene lactones, acetal phospholipids, ergothione and so on. Studies have shown that phospholipids derived from sea squirts have the ability to maintain visual memory, which is part of cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly people, such as remembering people's faces, where objects are placed, and when doors open and close. Chicken-derived phospholipin helps maintain the speed of cognitive function (such as quickly and accurately judging visual information and acting appropriately). Ergothione is an amino acid with antioxidant properties that can improve memory and concentration in middle-aged and elderly people.
The ergothione supplement launched by Changyuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a product aimed at memory loss in the middle-aged and elderly.
8. Maintain peripheral body temperature (skin temperature of hands and feet)
Main ingredients: ginger polyphenol (6-gingerol, 6-gingerol), Hihatsu source of piperine, camellia saponin B2, aged garlic extract, monosaccharide hesperidin, carvol and thymol (winter herb source), black bean polyphenol, cocoa polyphenol (e.g., flavanols), ellagic acid.
These raw materials mainly have the function of regulating the decreased blood flow (peripheral blood flow) caused by cold and reducing the decrease of the surface temperature of the peripheral skin (hands and feet) caused by cold. They can be used in the cold season and summer air conditioning environment, mainly for the female group who are afraid of cold.
The product that ITO launched to maintain the peripheral body temperature adds gingerenol, a spicy substance in ginger and one of the main bioactive ingredients of ginger, which can accelerate blood flow, dilate blood vessels and raise body temperature.
9. Healthy bones and joints
Main ingredients: soybean isoflavone, n-acetylglucosamine, glucosamine hydrochloride, EPA/DHA extracted from krill oil, salmon nose cartilage derived proteoglycans and undenatureated type II collagen, elastin peptide from bonito, curcumin, Ladan, harpagoside from Leptosphaga extract, carotenoid from chili powder, maltose acid.
10. Immune support
Main ingredients: Plasma Lactobacillus.