For Health Management... Focus on Dietary Supplement Ingredients like the Mediterranean Wonder 'Artichoke'

For Health Management... Focus on Dietary Supplement Ingredients like the Mediterranean Wonder 'Artichoke'
The Mystery of the Mediterranean, ‘Artichoke’. Photo by Slow Glow

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] As social distancing continues for a long time, the frequency of ordering delivery food or eating late-night snacks has increased, while outdoor activities have decreased, leading to a rise in consumers seeking to manage their health through dietary supplements.

According to the related industry on the 19th, the domestic dietary supplement market is growing explosively and is expected to exceed 4 trillion won this year.

First, artichoke, known as the “Mystery of the Mediterranean,” is a thistle-family plant native to the Mediterranean coast. In Europe, it has been used as an aromatic and medicinal vegetable since the Renaissance era. Because the edible part is small, artichoke is also called a noble vegetable. It grows in the mild climate of the Mediterranean, making it almost impossible to cultivate domestically, so it is difficult to obtain and somewhat unfamiliar. However, its benefits are already widely known in Europe, where it is also called the “Ginseng of the Mediterranean” and highly regarded.

Low in calories but rich in potassium, minerals, and fiber, this versatile vegetable has various benefits and is considered a superfood. The representative component in raw artichoke, “chlorogenic acid,” helps lower blood cholesterol levels, aiding in the prevention of various vascular diseases and adult diseases. “Cynarin” is known to promote digestive function and assist liver detoxification.

The “artichoke extract,” which extracts only the core from artichoke, is known as the only ingredient in Korea to have obtained individual recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for fat digestion-related functionality, drawing attention.

The inner beauty brand Slow Glow’s “Artichoke Advanced Reducer” is a product composed of 100% plant-based ingredients, including an ampoule for fat digestion and tablets for body fat reduction. The main ingredient of the ampoule, artichoke extract, has been confirmed through human application tests to reduce LDL cholesterol. Coleus forskohlii extract and banaba leaf extract have each been recognized for their functionalities related to body fat reduction and suppression of postprandial blood sugar rise, making this product ideal for those concerned about dieting or who enjoy high-fat meals.

For Health Management... Focus on Dietary Supplement Ingredients like the Mediterranean Wonder 'Artichoke'
Bilberry. Photo by Slow Glow

Bilberry belongs to the Ericaceae family and is often confused with blueberry due to its dark color. However, it can only be harvested in the wild so far, and Korea relies entirely on imports. Both the skin and flesh of bilberry are purple, with the skin rich in antioxidants, and the flesh contains anthocyanins, a water-soluble pigment, at levels more than four times higher than blueberries. In Europe, it has long been used as a medicinal herb, and there is an anecdote that British night flight pilots during World War II took it regularly.

Bilberry extract has been recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a functional ingredient that can help improve eye fatigue, attracting great interest from modern people who are exposed to smartphones or monitors for long periods.