With the advent of the era of great health, the pursuit of health has become the primary appeal of consumers, and the concept of "medicine supplementation is not as good as food supplementation" has made functional raw materials, especially traditional medicinal and edible raw materials, sought after by the market. In the past two years, relevant policies have been issued intensively in China, and the pilot program of homology of medicine and food and the identification of catalogue have been promoted, and the catalogue of homology of medicine and food has been continuously adjusted.
At present, including the pilot, there are 110 kinds of medicine and food homologous raw materials. Most of these raw materials are already very familiar to consumers and have been used in food and beverages on a large scale. There are also some relatively small raw materials such as amla, mulberry leaves, etc., which have also become popular in the past two years and become new favorites in the market. Of course, there are also some unpopular medicinal and edible raw materials, which are rarely used in the domestic market, but are very popular in foreign markets. The following are the medicinal and edible raw materials that have been extremely popular in foreign markets in recent years, and we expect them to shine in the domestic market in the future.
Hemp Seed
Hemp seeds have high nutritional value and are rich in vegetable protein, dietary fiber, lecithin and vitamin E, selenium, zinc, manganese, germanium and other essential trace elements for the human body, as well as α- Linolenic acid (ALA) which can promote the development of intelligence and vision. Most countries in foreign countries currently do not allow the use of CBD in food, beverages and dietary supplements, but hemp seeds are not restricted. Therefore, more and more companies have begun to use hemp seeds and hemp seed oil as raw food ingredients. As a result, a large number of start-up companies focusing on hemp seed applications have been born, mainly focusing on functional food beverages and plant-based products.
Hemp seeds come from industrial hemp with a THC content of less than 0.3%, and THC cannot be directly extracted, so it is not harmful to the human body, nor will it Addiction or dependence.
Kumbu/Kelp
Kumbu is Known for its rich umami flavor and healthy mineral content. Kelp is rich in iodine, potassium, and magnesium, and its sodium-potassium ratio is typically less than 1:5, which is good for heart health. As a healthy, natural and sustainable salt substitute, kelp has the potential to be the focus of the next generation of salt reduction craze.
A large number of epidemiological studies have shown that high salt intake is closely related to hypertension. Many countries have restricted the daily intake of salt for their citizens. Low-salt diets have obvious auxiliary effects on blood pressure control. Therefore, low-salt diets should be promoted to reduce the burden on kidneys so as to relieve hypertension symptoms or prevent high blood pressure. According to Mintel's G35 global consumer data, the proportion of Chinese consumers who consider "low salt" as the primary factor when purchasing food has risen from 15% in 2019 to 22% in 2020, and the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents" ( 2022)” also further emphasized the importance of a low-salt, bland diet for health. It can be seen that kelp has great potential in domestic salt-reducing food.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
Purslane is a common wild vegetable, and it is also a raw material with medicinal value. It tastes sour and cold and has the functions of clearing away heat and dampness, detoxifying and detumescence, quenching thirst and diuretic. In terms of modern medicine, purslane has a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect and has a killing or inhibiting effect on Shigella, Typhoid Bacillus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, etc.
Purslane is rich in nutrients, especially vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin and minerals such as calcium and iron. Its omega-3 The fatty acid content is very high, which is 9 times that of spinach. Omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit the body's absorption of bile acids, reduce blood cholesterol levels, improve the elasticity of blood vessel walls, and are very beneficial to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. At the same time, the flavonoids in purslane also have the effect of protecting myocardial activity. And also purslane has the activity of protecting the liver. At present, purslane has been used in some superfood supplements and beverages abroad.
Cinnamon is a common spice, but it does more than just spice. Cinnamon is widely used in various food and beverages abroad as a flavor ingredient, and it is also a functional ingredient. Numerous scientific studies have found that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, cardiovascular health, blood sugar regulation, intestinal health, pain relief, cholesterol lowering and immune regulation effects.
Cinnamon contains carbohydrates, protein, choline, vitamins (A, K, C, B3) and minerals. Cinnamon powder can enhance the activity of gut microbiota and improve immune response. Studies have found that drinking cinnamon tea after meals in non-diabetic adults is beneficial to control their blood sugar metabolism during the postprandial period and reduce the occurrence of postprandial hyperglycemia. In addition, daily intake of cinnamon in patients with type 2 diabetes can improve their glycemic index, Blood lipid status, especially in patients with BMI greater than 27, the improvement effect was more significant.
my country is a big producer of cinnamon, but cinnamon has been mainly used as a cooking seasoning for a long time. There is still a lot of room for development in functional foods.
Piper Longum is the immature ear of the pepper family plant and is generally used as a spice. It has a special aroma and can effectively remove the peculiar smell of animal raw materials, and is especially suitable for spice.
In addition, Piper Longum also has the effect of reducing hyperlipidemia. Longo can also accelerate blood flow, dilate blood vessels, and has the effect of dispelling cold. In view of these characteristics of Piper Longum,Japanese functional foods often use it as an ingredient to relieve waist discomfort, lower blood pressure and blood lipids, and maintain peripheral temperature.