Need for Immune-Boosting Foods Against Pandemics... Development of Blood Sugar-Lowering, Immunity-Enhancing Red Ginseng Product 'Dangirak'

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As the number of diabetes patients in South Korea surpasses 6 million, the prevalence of diabetes among people in their 20s and 30s is rapidly increasing.

According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, as of 2020, the number of diabetes patients in their 30s was 121,568, a 25.5% increase compared to four years earlier (96,891 in 2016).

Additionally, according to the 2021 Health Screening Statistical Yearbook released by the National Health Insurance Service, among 17 million health screening participants, 21.3% had three or more risk factors, placing them in the metabolic syndrome category.

Diabetes and metabolic syndrome have thus emerged as challenges that must be addressed for the health of the nation. Moreover, in the COVID endemic situation, the global need for the development of immune-enhancing functional foods that protect and defend the body in preparation for any future pandemics is rising worldwide.

Amid this, Dr. Seong-Kwon Ko, a world-renowned ginseng expert, partnered with SJ Power (CEO Shin Hang-cheol) to develop ‘Dangirak,’ a multi-complex health functional food that lowers blood sugar and boosts immunity. It is manufactured through one of Korea’s leading health food companies (Hanpoong Nature Farm), obtained sales approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and has been launched domestically.

The product name ‘Dangirak’ means ‘naturally beneficial and joyful to the human body (樂).’ It has been found that taking it for a certain period can help suppress blood sugar spikes, improve blood flow, enhance immunity, reduce fatigue, and support a vibrant lifestyle.

First, it is a multi-complex health functional food optimized for blood sugar and immune functionality, using indigestible maltodextrin and red ginseng as raw materials. This complex product allows simultaneous management of blood sugar and immunity. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved functional claims for indigestible maltodextrin regarding postprandial blood sugar suppression, improvement of blood triglycerides, and facilitation of bowel movements.

Red ginseng has also received functional claims approval for immune enhancement, fatigue improvement, blood flow through platelet aggregation inhibition, and antioxidant effects.

Second, indigestible maltodextrin is blended in a high dose (6897mg per packet) to suppress postprandial blood sugar, improve blood triglycerides, and facilitate bowel function. Additionally, as secondary ingredients, banaba leaf and chromium, which help suppress postprandial blood sugar, are combined with zinc and jujube, which aid immune enhancement, to maximize the functionality of blood sugar suppression and immune boosting.

Third, to further strengthen immunity, the product is the first in Korea to blend 70% Hongmisam (微寒, slightly cold) and 30% red ginseng (微溫, slightly warm), optimizing extraction and processing technology to produce a high-concentration saponin red ginseng product that avoids heat generation effects.

Unlike other products that mainly use the slightly warm (微溫) main root of red ginseng, which may cause heat reaction symptoms (facial flushing) in people with a Soyang constitution according to traditional Korean medicine, Dangirak uses the slightly cold (微寒) tail root of Hongmisam as the main ingredient (70%), thus avoiding such heat reactions.

Fourth, this red ginseng product increases the saponin ratio characteristic of black ginseng by utilizing high-concentration processing technology for Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1 (published in SCI journals). These saponins account for about 48% of total saponins, making it a highly functional red ginseng. Pharmacological effects proven by research include Rg3’s cancer prevention, cancer cell growth inhibition, blood pressure reduction, neuroprotection, antithrombotic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and metabolic syndrome improvement effects; Rg5’s anti-inflammatory, cognitive enhancement, breast cancer improvement, and nephrotoxicity amelioration effects; and Rk1’s antitumor and platelet aggregation inhibition effects.

Moreover, the product is in an easy-to-consume jelly stick form, making it convenient to carry and take during office work, driving, or exercise. It is a health food that supports immunity and vitality, promotes refreshing bowel movements, and helps users confidently enjoy a joyful day.

Dr. Seongkwon Go, a world-renowned ginseng and red ginseng expert who developed Dangirak

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Dr. Seong-Kwon Ko, who developed Dangirak, is internationally acclaimed as an authority on ginseng and red ginseng. He has served as president of the Korean Wild Ginseng Society and the Korea Ginseng Forum. He was dean of the College of Health and Bio Sciences at Semyung University and a research professor at Chung-Ang University’s Ginseng Industry Research Center. He has published 65 papers in international scientific journals (SCI) related to ginseng and authored the book ‘Functional Enhancement of Ginseng and Red Ginseng,’ receiving awards for new drug development contributions.

In 2018, he was also listed in the international biographical directory ‘Marquis Who’s Who,’ gaining recognition both domestically and internationally. During his graduate studies in pharmacognosy, he focused his master’s thesis on ‘Antidiabetic Effects of Ginseng,’ embarking on a lifelong path as a ginseng researcher. He aims to scientificize Korea’s representative specialty, Korean ginseng, and contribute to the healthy lives of the public through new drug development and other efforts.

SJ Power plans to follow up Dangirak by launching a health functional food for metabolic syndrome improvement with individual recognition, using Dr. Ko’s patented microwave fusion processing technology to enhance red ginseng’s functionality.

Furthermore, they are promoting the establishment of the ‘Metasincare Ginseng and Herbal Medicine Research Institute’ in Sejong City to accelerate business activation through ginseng research.

CEO Shin Hang-cheol stated, “We will continuously develop standardized ingredient products using ginseng and herbal medicines to improve metabolic syndrome and adult diseases, leading the way to create a healthy society and grow into a company that contributes more to humanity’s happy life.”

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