BTGin: "Red Ginseng Lowers Hypertension... First Official Recognition in Korea"

For the first time in South Korea, research findings that ginseng’s unique saponin may help regulate blood pressure and support cardiovascular health have been officially recognized by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

BTGin (CEO Heo Yul), a company specializing in unique saponins, announced on April 23 that its “Red Ginseng Extract Enzyme-Treated Powder” has received individual functional recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for its potential to help regulate blood pressure. This achievement follows over 20 years of persistent R&D and joint clinical studies with global research institutions, resulting in the company’s successful independent development of the ingredient.

While red ginseng is commonly associated with benefits such as immune support and fatigue improvement, BTGin is the first company, both domestically and internationally, to receive functional recognition for blood pressure regulation. Previously, there was a widespread misconception that red ginseng raises blood pressure; BTGin’s unique saponin has now overturned this, demonstrating that it can actually lower blood pressure.

The key to this ingredient lies in its high content of the unique saponin Rg3. Rg3 is found in only trace amounts in red ginseng and is almost absent in regular ginseng. It is a core indicator compound of red ginseng, with various pharmacological effects such as antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and sexual function improvement reported in domestic and international scientific journals. However, BTGin is the first to scientifically validate its efficacy, opening up new market possibilities.

BTGin has increased the Rg3 content to over 10% using its patented ECS (Enzyme Conversion System) technology, thereby enhancing its absorption in the body. This is approximately 300 times higher than that of regular red ginseng.

Oh Jinwhan, Director of the BTGin Research Institute, explained, “This ingredient promotes the production of nitric oxide (NO) in vascular endothelial cells, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Through cell, animal, and human application studies, we have demonstrated reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with a particularly pronounced decrease in systolic blood pressure, suggesting potential benefits for hypertension and cardiovascular disease prevention.”

With this functional recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, BTGin now holds exclusive rights to use red ginseng’s unique saponin as a functional ingredient for blood pressure regulation. In response to consumer demand for blood pressure management, the company is launching two new products: the premium health functional food “The Root Rg3 All-in-One,” featuring actors Choi Soo-jong and Go Doo-shim as models, and the more affordable “Red Ginseng Blood Pressure Care.”

Heo Yul, CEO of BTGin and a KAIST Ph.D., emphasized, “This functional recognition is not just an expansion of red ginseng products, but an innovative achievement that scientifically validates the functionality of unique saponins. It will provide a new and reliable option for those concerned about blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, as well as for consumers seeking proven red ginseng products.”

Meanwhile, BTGin CFO Oh Seungjae stated, “Our main businesses are health functional foods, cosmetics, and platforms (such as the HelpU App). Recently, we have accelerated our product lineup by launching new products, including the high-functionality cosmetic ‘Gonghuha’ modeled by singer Lee Chanwon, and we are currently pursuing an IPO with the goal of listing on KOSDAQ next year.”