Red ginseng is gaining global attention as a scientifically validated health supplement, supported by growing evidence presented on international academic stages.

On the 20th, Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC) held a ginseng academic seminar under the theme “Latest Research Findings on the Benefits of Red Ginseng” at the Oxford Conference Center in Mississippi, USA. The event was hosted by the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) and was attended by approximately 400 participants, including representatives from government agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as members of major pharmaceutical societies from the U.S., Korea, and Japan, university professors, and researchers.

Red ginseng has been officially recognized by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for seven key functional benefits: immune enhancement, improvement of blood circulation through inhibition of platelet aggregation, fatigue reduction, antioxidant effects, memory improvement, support for menopausal women’s health, and blood sugar regulation. In addition, numerous domestic and international studies have demonstrated its potential antiviral and anticancer properties, its ability to reduce fatigue during cancer treatment, and its effectiveness in preventing dementia and improving cognitive function.

Dr. Hak-Soo Choi, a professor at Harvard Medical School and a researcher at the Forsyth Institute, presented preclinical findings suggesting that red ginseng may be developed into a neuroprotective and anti-aging therapeutic agent or health supplement in the future. In his study, ginsenosides—active compounds in red ginseng—were combined with a special fluorescent marker and administered to experimental animals. The results confirmed that ginsenosides can cross the blood-brain barrier, demonstrating scientifically proven neuroprotective and anti-aging effects.

Clinical studies have also validated its efficacy in blood sugar control. A research team led by Professor Nam-Han Cho at Ajou University School of Medicine conducted a 12-week study involving 98 Korean prediabetic patients aged 40 and above. Participants were divided into two groups: 49 individuals consumed 500 mg of red ginseng extract powder daily, while the remaining 49 received a placebo. The results showed that the red ginseng group experienced an 11.3% reduction in postprandial blood glucose levels and a 9.1% decrease in fasting blood glucose levels compared to the placebo group. Additionally, indicators measuring insulin secretion and sensitivity were 45.6% higher in the red ginseng group. Notably, improvements were observed across all nine blood sugar-related indicators, making red ginseng the first MFDS-approved ingredient to demonstrate such comprehensive effects.

A KGC official who attended the conference stated, “There are over 1,200 research papers proving the scientific efficacy of red ginseng. As awareness of red ginseng products continues to grow in North America, this conference provided a valuable opportunity to share the latest research findings with global scholars and highlight the value and importance of red ginseng as a key health ingredient.”

Source: 헬스조선 (https://health.chosun.com/)