Its latest launch is a functional vinegar that contains the acetic acid bacteria Gluconacetobacter hansenii GK-1.
This is an acid-resistant gram-negative bacterium used in vinegar brewing, while vinegar is a main ingredient for making mayonnaise.
Kewpie said that it has been researching on acetic acid bacteria present in vinegar for years.
“Acetic acid bacteria are fermentation bacteria essential for making vinegar.
“Thirteen years ago, we discovered that acetic acid bacteria have great potential to contribute to maintaining health, in addition to producing vinegar,” said the company.
According to Kewpie, GK-1 supports the immune system by activating the plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC).
According to findings of an 12-week clinical study published in Japanese Pharmacology & Therapeutics in 2022, GK-1 supplementation has been shown to support immune health by significantly reducing the number of days of cold symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, cough, fatigue, and chest discomfort.
A total of 98 healthy adults susceptible to cold-like illnesses were randomised to take either the intervention or placebo.
The intervention group took capsules containing nine billion of acetic acid bacteria per day for 12 weeks.
The effects of the supplementation was assessed using a questionnaire evaluating their physical condition.
“At 12 weeks, the GK-1 group had significantly higher levels of pDC activity markers, CD80 and CD40, than the placebo group.
“The findings of this study indicate that long-term ingestion of GK-1 may activate pDC and act to maintain immune function,” said the researchers.
Kirin is another company that has developed a series of functional foods and supplements using Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma) which has been shown to work in the pDC pathway as well.
Preference for functional foods
This is not the first time Kewpie has launched supplements containing GK-1. However, this time round, it has made the switch to functional vinegar after receiving feedback that consumers prefer functional foods.
“We have conducted surveys and interviews and found that there is a high demand for products that would allow people to ingest get acetic acid bacteria not only from supplements, but also from their daily meals.
“As a result, we have conducted extensive research and launched ‘Immuno Care Nigori Vinegar’ as a brewed vinegar,” the company explained.
Sold as a Food with Function Claim (FFC), the functional vinegar was launched last month via Amazon Japan.
According to the firm, consumers can dilute one tablespoon (15ml) of the vinegar with water, other beverages, or use it to replace regular vinegar.
Every 15ml contains nine billion of GK-1.
In 2023, Kewpie launched the supplement product “Deare Plus”.
It comes in the tablet form and contains both GK-1 and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) for relieving eye and nose discomfort caused by allergies to pollen and house dust as well as relieving stress and tension.
