"Popularity of Health Supplements for 'Eye Health and Vitality Improvement' Due to Smartphones and COVID-19"

Investigation of Pharmaceutical Order Platform BaroPharm

High Sales Volume and Share Nationwide in Pharmacies
Domestic and International Launches of Products Containing Related Ingredients
Segmented Products for Prostate and Menopause Also Popular

As the transition to endemic (periodic outbreaks of infectious diseases) coincides with the 'healthy pleasure' trend of enjoying health management, consumers seeking health functional foods are increasing in the food industry. With the increased use of digital devices such as smartphones and prolonged restrictions on outdoor activities during the COVID-19 period, items that help eye health and vitality among related products have attracted attention.

Health functional food that helps eye health, Jongkundang 'iClear Lutein Astaxanthin'
[Photo by Jongkundang]

According to the pharmaceutical order integration platform 'Baropharm' on the 15th, among health functional foods sold at pharmacies nationwide, the product with the highest sales volume was eye health-related items, accounting for 89.8% of the total. Baropharm has 17,000 member stores out of approximately 24,000 pharmacies nationwide. Following eye health-related products, joint and bone health (84.5%), liver health (64.6%), gut health (63.6%), and immune function improvement (61.2%) products formed the top ranks.

The attention to health functional foods that help eye health is closely related to the characteristics of modern people who frequently use digital devices. According to a survey by the Korea Communications Commission, Koreans use digital devices for about 5 hours a day on average. Prolonged use of these devices is highly likely to cause dry eyes, redness, vision deterioration, headaches, and other symptoms.

In fact, according to the National Health Insurance Service, the number of glaucoma patients in Korea increased by about 20% over five years from 2016. Additionally, according to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, in 2021, myopic children and adolescents under 19 accounted for 55.3% of all myopia patients. The service stated, "The digital learning environment is analyzed to have affected vision development periods." Similar situations are observed not only in Korea but also in countries like the United States and China. Accordingly, related industries at home and abroad are expanding foods containing ingredients that help promote eye health, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin A, unsaturated fatty acids (DHA), and zinc.

Since the recovery of daily life after COVID-19, consumers' interest in health functional food ingredients that can enhance work productivity and boost vitality has also increased. Representative examples include health functional beverages that recharge energy and manage health comprehensively. Beverage-type products that can be conveniently consumed during outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and golf dominate the market.

Maeil Dairies introduced 'The Great Tea Kombucha,' a naturally fermented carbonated drink containing probiotics and dietary fiber, while hy launched 'Stress Care Shim,' containing 'L-theanine' that helps relieve tension caused by stress and probiotics. Overseas, in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, India, and Australia, health functional foods containing ingredients like vitamins, zinc, selenium, and probiotics that help improve vitality, cognitive ability, and immunity are being released one after another.

Domestically, segmented health functional foods that can help specific areas or genders, such as men's prostate health or menopausal women's health, have also been launched, accounting for 51.5% and 50% of the market sales share, respectively. Representative products include Jeonggwanjang's prostate health functional food 'Hong Sam Oil RXGIN CLEAN' and the 'Hwaerak' series for menopausal women. Among them, RXGIN CLEAN caused a shortage phenomenon, selling 3,000 sets on the first day alone after its release in August.

An industry official predicted, "Although overall consumer sentiment is slowing due to high inflation, the emphasis on health and safety in food will continue to increase demand for health functional foods." According to the Korea Health Supplements Association, the domestic health functional food market size increased by 7.9% from 5.6902 trillion won in 2021 to 6.1429 trillion won last year.