Hovenia dulcis has a history of more than one thousand years as a traditional medicine and functional food in East Asia. Hovenia dulcis is a popular ingredient in Korean hangover hangover products. It is estimated that 5.2% of Korean adults have used food supplements containing Hovenia dulcis. According to market intelligence data, Chinese consumers are increasingly aware of Hovenia dulcis, which is one of the main reasons for the explosive growth of Hovenia dulcis extract.
Dihydromyricetin, the star ingredient in Hovenia dulcis extract powder
Hovenia dulcis has long been used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine for the treatment of acute alcoholism. The main active ingredients of Hovenia dulcis are dihydromyricetin (DHM), loline, β-carboline, hovenia glycosides C, D, G, G' and H, quercetin, etc. The star ingredient is DHM.
DHM belongs to flavonoids. It was discovered and isolated from the fruit and seeds of Hovenia dulcis in 1997. Its main mechanism is: DHM can promote liver health by changing lipid metabolism, enhancing ethanol metabolism and inhibiting inflammatory response, thereby reducing Alcohol-induced liver damage, this substance can also reduce ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis and accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, weaken the alcohol-induced release of liver enzymes and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and can significantly enhance ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase ) and ALDH (Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase) activity and expression.
East Asian countries have conducted in-depth research on DHM. In 1997, a Japanese study described the inhibitory effect of a methanolic extract of Hovenia dulcis on alcohol-induced muscle relaxation and highlighted DHM as the most bioactive compound. In 2012, Chinese researchers demonstrated the role of DHM in combating alcoholism and alcohol dependence and suggested DHM as a therapeutic candidate for alcohol abuse syndrome. In 2018, research by Chinese researchers showed that DHM is directly involved in the metabolism of acetaminophen and can prevent liver damage caused by acetaminophen.
The hangover protection market in South Korea is very large. According to data from the market research company Link Aztec, the hangover protection market in South Korea reached 174.8 billion won in 2017, and the data is still increasing. The main reason is that in South Korea, refusing to drink is an unhealthy Be polite, and the consumer group of Korean alcohol is getting younger, changing from 30s and 40s to 20s. Before 2013, the hangover hangover market in Korea was dominated by beverages. There are 4 very popular hangover drinks containing Hovenia dulcis in South Korea, which can be easily purchased in convenience stores and pharmacies. Which are: CJ Health Care Condition; Hutgaesoo; Heotgaecha and Morning Care.
In China, Hovenia dulcis extract powder is a kind of medicine and food of the same origin, which was first used in health food. Hovenia dulcis powder is often used in combination with other raw materials that also have the effect of relieving alcohol and protecting the liver, so as to exert the synergistic effect of relieving alcohol and protecting the liver. In recent years, China has also begun to use Hovenia dulcis supplements in ordinary food, mainly in the popular soft candy and beverage categories.
