Did you know you can eat hyaluronic acid? When you think of hyaluronic acid, skincare products might be the first thing that comes to mind. It’s true that hyaluronic acid is widely used in the skincare and beauty industries because of its numerous benefits for the skin.
However, beyond this realm, hyaluronic acid also shows its charm in the food industry. Nowadays, health foods and supplements containing hyaluronic acid are quite common.
Hyaluronic Acid: A Natural Ingredient
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan composed of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine. It has a unique molecular structure and physicochemical properties. HA is found in various human tissues such as joint cavities, skin, and the vitreous body of the eye.
As we age, the amount of HA in our bodies decreases, leading to issues like arthritis, skin aging, wrinkles, and blurry vision. Numerous studies have shown that oral intake of hyaluronic acid can improve skin hydration, joint function, bone density, and even repair gastric mucosa damage.
Exploring the Potential of Hyaluronic Acid: Physicochemical Properties
- Biodegradability: HA can be degraded by enzymes in the body, with its degradation products being biocompatible monosaccharides, making it an excellent biodegradable material.
- Biocompatibility: As a naturally occurring substance in the body, HA has excellent biocompatibility and does not trigger immune responses or other adverse reactions.
- Viscoelasticity: HA solutions have high viscosity and elasticity, allowing for broad applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery.
- Water Absorption: HA has strong water-absorbing capabilities, able to hold many times its weight in water.
Fig 1. Applications of Food-Grade Hyaluronic Acid
Applications of Hyaluronic Acid in Health Supplements
- Anti-Aging and Skin Health: HA is a major component of skin tissue and plays a crucial role in maintaining skin elasticity and hydration. Therefore, HA is often added to oral anti-aging or beauty supplements to help improve skin moisture and reduce wrinkles.
- Joint Health: HA is present in joint fluid and is essential for lubricating joints and alleviating joint pain. Consequently, HA is frequently included in joint health supplements, particularly for supporting the treatment of osteoarthritis.
- Eye Health: HA is also found in the eyes, helping to keep them moist and maintain healthy vision. Thus, HA is added to some supplements aimed at alleviating dry eyes and other eye issues.
Applications of Hyaluronic Acid in Food
- Functional Beverages: HA can be added to various functional drinks, such as beauty beverages or joint health drinks. These drinks, by providing HA, can help improve skin hydration, reduce wrinkles, or enhance joint health.
- Functional Foods: HA can also be incorporated into functional foods like beauty foods or joint health foods. These foods, through HA supplementation, can help improve skin conditions or provide joint protection.
Japanese food manufacturers have developed HA-containing foods and beverages, such as HA jelly and HA drinks, primarily targeting the anti-aging and beauty markets. Additionally, HA health foods like HA oral solutions and HA candies are widely available, focusing on joint health and skin hydration.
Conclusion
The versatility of hyaluronic acid extends far beyond skincare, proving to be a valuable ingredient in health supplements and functional foods. Whether consumed for its anti-aging benefits, joint health support, or eye health maintenance, hyaluronic acid offers numerous advantages. As research continues, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of this remarkable natural compound in our daily diets and wellness routines.
Stanford Chemical Company (SCC) is an excellent supplier of sodium hyaluronate powder. We provide food-grade, injectable-grade, medical-grade, and cosmetic-grade sodium hyaluronate powders. For more information on these materials, please check our home page.