Abstract: A sweetener composition is provided, formed with natural plant extracts including Luo Han Guo fruit extract and sweet stevia extract, and neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NHDC) as raw materials at a scientific and sound mixing ratio such that the disadvantage of having a strong aftertaste of water is eliminated, and the Chinese herbal medicine taste of the Luo Han Guo fruit and the bitter aftertaste of stevia sugar are effectively shielded. The sweetener composition successfully removes the Chinese herbal medicine taste of Luo Han Guo fruit and the bitter aftertaste of stevia sugar while fully exerting the herbal fresh and sweet taste of the Luo Han Guo fruit extract and the sweet stevia extract, and perfectly combines the sweet aftertaste of mogrosides, so that the sweet taste is maintained and the taste is good, and the sweetener composition of the present invention is well accepted by consumers.

Abstract: Provided are: method of producing a sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer by reducing the molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in plants so that they can be readily absorbed through the intestine of an organism; and a health food composition and a pharmaceutical composition which contain the resultant sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer as an active ingredient and which are useful for treating and preventing various lifestyle-related diseases and brain diseases caused by generation of active oxygen species as well as for preventing aging.

Abstract: Provided are: method of producing a sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer by reducing the molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in plants so that they can be readily absorbed through the intestine of an organism; and a health food composition and a pharmaceutical composition which contain the resultant sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer as an active ingredient and which are useful for treating and preventing various lifestyle-related diseases and brain diseases caused by generation of active oxygen species as well as for preventing aging.

Abstract: A novel substance that has the physiological activity of the aglycone of isoflavones and the physiological activity of the culture of the basidiomycetes with the physiological activities being synergistically enhanced, obtained by cultivating a basidiomycetes having a ?-glucosidase activity in a medium containing an isoflavone, a method for producing it, and food, feedstuff and medicine containing it. The substance of the invention is improved in the physiological effect of the aglycone of isoflavones and the physiological effect of the culture of the basidiomycetes, and is not only useful as an anti-tumor agent but also is useful for therapy and/or prevention of osteoporosis and also as an immune enhancement agent.

Abstract: Provided are: method of producing a sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer by reducing the molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in plants so that they can be readily absorbed through the intestine of an organism; and a health food composition and a pharmaceutical composition which contain the resultant sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer as an active ingredient and which are useful for treating and preventing various lifestyle-related diseases and brain diseases caused by generation of active oxygen species as well as for preventing aging.

Abstract: Provided are: method of producing a sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer by reducing the molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in plants so that they can be readily absorbed through the intestine of an organism; and a health food composition and a pharmaceutical composition which contain the resultant sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer as an active ingredient and which are useful for treating and preventing various lifestyle-related diseases and brain diseases caused by generation of active oxygen species as well as for preventing aging.

Abstract: Provided are: method of producing a sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer by reducing the molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in plants so that they can be readily absorbed through the intestine of an organism; and a health food composition and a pharmaceutical composition which contain the resultant sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer as an active ingredient and which are useful for treating and preventing various lifestyle-related diseases and brain diseases caused by generation of active oxygen species as well as for preventing aging.

Abstract: A novel substance that has the physiological activity of the aglycone of isoflavones and the physiological activity of the culture of the basidiomycetes with the physiological activities being synergistically enhanced, obtained by cultivating a basidiomycetes having a ?-glucosidase activity in a medium containing an isoflavone, a method for producing it, and food, feedstuff and medicine containing it. The substance of the invention is improved in the physiological effect of the aglycone of isoflavones and the physiological effect of the culture of the basidiomycetes, and is not only useful as an anti-tumor agent but also is useful for therapy and/or prevention of osteoporosis and also as an immune enhancement agent.

Abstract: A glucoside containing isomaltol represented by formula (I): (wherein Sug represents a glucose residue or a sugar linkage composed of two or more glucose units) as an aglycon, a physiologically active substance containing the glucoside having human cytokine inducing ability increasing activity, a method for producing it, and food, medicine and feedstuff containing the substance.

Abstract: Provided are: method of producing a sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer by reducing the molecular weight of proanthocyanidin in plants so that they can be readily absorbed through the intestine of an organism; and a health food composition and a pharmaceutical composition which contain the resultant sulfur-containing proanthocyanidin oligomer as an active ingredient and which are useful for treating and preventing various lifestyle-related diseases and brain diseases caused by generation of active oxygen species as well as for preventing aging.

Abstract: A glucoside containing isomaltol represented by formula (I): (wherein Sug represents a glucose residue or a sugar linkage composed of two or more glucose units) as an aglycon, a physiologically active substance containing the glucoside having human cytokine inducing ability increasing activity, a method for producing it, and food, medicine and feedstuff containing the substance.

Abstract: A glucoside containing isomaltol represented by formula (I): (wherein Sug represents a glucose residue or a sugar linkage composed of two or more glucose units) as an aglycon, a physiologically active substance containing the glucoside having human cytokine inducing ability increasing activity, a method for producing it, and food, medicine and feedstuff containing the substance.

Abstract: A novel substance that has the physiological activity of the aglycone of isoflavones and the physiological activity of the culture of the basidiomycetes with the physiological activities being synergistically enhanced, obtained by cultivating a basidiomycetes having a &bgr;-glucosidase activity in a medium containing an isoflavone, a method for producing it, and food, feedstuff and medicine containing it.