Joint research between Rural Development Administration and Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine
Mice that consumed chestnut honey had more than 4-fold increase in immune cells.
Thanks to the ‘quinurenic acid’ component in chestnut honey… Patent
Published in international academic journals… The basis for development of therapeutic food
“We expect help for beekeeping farmers as chestnut honey consumption increases.”
▲ Rural Development Administration confirms the virus suppression effect of ‘domestic chestnut honey’
Lee Sang-jae, head of the Agricultural and Biological Department of the Rural Development Administration, is briefing on the antiviral effect of domestic chestnut honey at the Sejong Government Complex in Sejong City on the morning of the 20th. 2023.9.20 Yonhap News
▲ Chestnut honey. Provided by Rural Development Administration
Scientific research has confirmed that ‘domestic chestnut honey’ has a virus-suppressing effect by increasing innate immunity. It is expected that it will be used as a high value-added material such as therapeutic food in the future.
At a briefing held at the Sejong Government Complex in Sejong City on the 20th, the Rural Development Administration and the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine announced, “Chestnut honey was found to inhibit influenza A (the type that causes the flu) virus infection by 62.6%.”
Immune proteins and white blood cells increase 4.3 times more
According to the Rural Development Administration, all mice infected with influenza A, the most common virus that causes influenza in humans, died within 6 days, but 60% of mice that ate domestic chestnut honey (600 mg/kg) every day for 2 weeks survived.
Next, the activation of interferon beta (virus defense innate immunity protein) and NK cells (white blood cells in the blood responsible for innate immunity) were evaluated in the serum and spleen (immune cell-producing tissue) of mice that consumed chestnut honey (600 mg/kg), respectively. As a result, interferon beta increased 4.3 times and NK cell activity increased 4.6 times.
Researchers at the Rural Development Administration have found that the reason why chestnut honey increases immunity is because of the ‘kynurenic acid’ component in chestnut honey. Kynurenic acid is a neuromodulator that is effective in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective purposes, and is mostly excreted in urine when consumed externally.
The Rural Development Administration explains that 1,168 mg of kynurenic acid is contained per kg of chestnut honey, but this amount is rarely detected in other honeys. These research results were published in the international academic journal ‘Frontiers in Immunology’, and the Rural Development Administration completed the patent application.
▲ Rural Development Administration confirms the virus suppression effect of ‘domestic chestnut honey’
Lee Sang-jae, head of the Agricultural and Biological Department of the Rural Development Administration, is briefing on the antiviral effect of domestic chestnut honey at the Sejong Government Complex in Sejong City on the morning of the 20th. 2023.9.20 Yonhap News
▲ Domestic chestnut honey that boosts immunity
The Rural Development Administration announced on the 20th that among honeys from different mills, domestic chestnut honey contains the highest content of kynurenic acid. The Rural Development Administration explained that the kynurenic acid content in 1 kg of pure chestnut honey is 1,168.8 mg. Provided by Rural Development Administration
▲ Proof of immunity effect of domestic chestnut honey
In a briefing on the 20th, the Rural Development Administration announced that when comparing the content of kynurenic acid, which has an immune effect, among various types of honey, chestnut honey was found to be overwhelmingly higher. Almost no kynurenic acid was detected in other honey sources, including acacia honey, Korea’s representative honey. Provided by Rural Development Administration
For a 60kg adult, just one teaspoon is enough to provide immunity
As it has been scientifically proven that domestic chestnut honey has an antiviral effect, a foundation has been laid for the use of domestic chestnut honey as a high value-added material in health functional foods and therapeutic foods in the future.
The Rural Development Administration explained that the dose of chestnut honey that can have an immune effect in humans is about one teaspoon (2.9g), if converted to the amount that was effective in improving immunity in animal models for a 60kg adult.
Lee Sang-jae, head of the Rural Development Administration’s Agricultural and Biological Department, said, “This study is aimed at verifying the antiviral effect of chestnut honey produced domestically and revealing its active ingredients so that it can be used as a variety of materials.” He added, “I hope that the increased consumption of chestnut honey will help increase the income of beekeepers. “I hope so,” he said.
Chestnut honey is honey produced in mid-June by bees collecting, storing, and maturing nectar from chestnut flowers. It has a strong aroma and bitter taste, and has been used as medicine in the private sector since ancient times to relieve fatigue and treat bronchial diseases. According to the Korea Beekeeping Cooperative, domestic chestnut honey production is estimated at about 2,004 tons as of last year, or 8.6% of total honey production. Acacia honey, which accounts for most of domestic honey production, is derived from acacia flowers and has a soft taste and aroma and is mainly used as a sweetener.
▲ Chestnut flowers. Provided by Rural Development Administration
Sejong Reporter Kang Ju-ri
2023-09-20 12:18:26
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