Food Industry Focuses on Superfood 'Gwiri'

Oats.

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Since being selected as one of the top 10 superfoods for teenagers by Time magazine in the United States in 2002, the domestic consumption and production of oats have been steadily increasing.

According to the Rural Development Administration on the 12th, domestic oat production increased from 2,500 tons in 2018 to 4,550 tons in 2019, and reached 6,440 tons in 2020. The main production areas for oats are Gangjin in Jeonnam and Jeongeup in Jeonbuk, and production is expanding to Anseong and Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi, Inje in Gangwon, and Yeongwol.

Oats, a cereal belonging to the Poaceae family, contain twice as much protein as rice. They also have more fat and fiber than brown rice, making them easier to digest when consumed.

In particular, beta-glucan, a polysaccharide contained in the endosperm cell walls of oats, lowers blood cholesterol levels in the body, preventing cardiovascular diseases and showing effectiveness in preventing adult diseases related to obesity. It also helps remove hardened stool and expel waste from the intestines, making it effective for dieting.

In December 2019, domestic researchers announced that 'Avenanthramide (Avn-C),' found only in oats, is effective in treating dementia and hearing loss.

Globally, Russia, Canada, and Finland are well-known oat-producing countries. Finland, in particular, is the world's second-largest oat exporter, accounting for 13% of the European Union's total production. From mid-May to the end of July, the midnight sun phenomenon provides abundant sunlight, creating optimal conditions for oat growth. Oats grown in such favorable climatic conditions in Finland are characterized by their golden color, large grains, and high quality due to minimal pest damage and pesticide use.

Recently, products made from Finnish oats have been gaining attention in the food industry. A representative product is 'Amazing Oat,' released by Maeil Dairies. This product uses 100% pure Finnish oats and is made by grinding whole grain oats with their hulls intact.

Fazer, a leading Finnish confectionery company, offers various products made from 100% Finnish oats, including the oat beverage AITO, cookies, and biscuits.

Jani Toivanen, Trade Commissioner at the Finnish Trade Office in Korea, said, "Finland ranks first in the global Environmental Performance Index and has clean land that requires almost no pesticides, along with optimal climatic conditions for producing high-quality oats. After long-term research for developing healthy oat products, oats grown in Finland are managed throughout all processes in Finland to ensure their safety."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.