Abstract: Described are body fat-reducing agents containing a processed pueraria flower as an active component. The body fat-reducing agent has a superior body fat-reducing effect. Furthermore, the body fat-reducing agent may contain at least one of a lipid absorption suppressing component and a lipid metabolism promoting component. A food product, which contains the body fat-reducing agent, provided according to the present invention has superior effects of preventing body fat accumulation and reducing body fat.

Abstract: An alcohol metabolism enhancer is made from safe plant extracts and an alcoholic beverage and causes a reduced sick feeling and hangover from drinking alcohol without causing hemolysis using safe materials derived from plants. The alcohol metabolism enhancer and the alcoholic beverage include proanthocyanidins, such as pine bark extracts.

Abstract: A composition comprising: a flavan compound that is at least one of a proanthocyanidin and catechins; a protein degradation peptide having an average molecular weight of less than 7,000; and a peptide or protein having an average molecular weight of not less than 7,000. The composition does not impair effects of the flavan compound to the body. Furthermore, when the composition is formulated in a liquid preparation, neither coagulation-precipitation attributable to the nature of the flavan compound, nor coagulation-precipitation with the high molecular weight peptide or protein which is attributable to the protein-constricting property of the flavan compound is caused.

Abstract: The method for producing proanthocyanidin-containing product of the present invention comprises the steps of providing a pine bark as a starting material, extracting the pine bark with at least one of water and an organic solvent, and treating the resultant extract with a synthetic resin adsorbent, wherein the pine bark has characteristics in that at least 7 wt % of solid material in terms of dry weight is obtained from a pine bark extract that is obtained by adding 10 parts by volume of an aqueous ethanol solution containing ethanol in the range of 50 to 80 volume % to one part by weight of the pine bark, and performing extraction at 80 to 85° C. for one hour. It is possible to conveniently and efficiently obtain proanthocyanidin-containing product that contains at least 10 wt % of OPCs.

Abstract: Described are body fat-reducing agents containing a processed pueraria flower as an active component. The body fat-reducing agent has a superior body fat-reducing effect. Furthermore, the body fat-reducing agent may contain at least one of a lipid absorption suppressing component and a lipid metabolism promoting component. A food product, which contains the body fat-reducing agent, provided according to the present invention has superior effects of preventing body fat accumulation and reducing body fat.

Abstract: An alcohol metabolism enhancer is made from safe plant extracts and an alcoholic beverage and causes a reduced sick feeling and hangover from drinking alcohol without causing hemolysis using safe materials derived from plants. The alcohol metabolism enhancer and the alcoholic beverage include proanthocyanidins, such as pine bark extracts.

Abstract: The method for producing proanthocyanidin-containing product of the present invention comprises the steps of providing a pine bark as a starting material, extracting the pine bark with at least one of water and an organic solvent, and treating the resultant extract with a synthetic resin adsorbent, wherein the pine bark has characteristics in that at least 7 wt % of solid material in terms of dry weight is obtained from a pine bark extract that is obtained by adding 10 parts by volume of an aqueous ethanol solution containing ethanol in the range of 50 to 80 volume % to one part by weight of the pine bark, and performing extraction at 80 to 85° C. for one hour. It is possible to conveniently and efficiently obtain proanthocyanidin-containing product that contains at least 10 wt % of OPCs.

Abstract: As a lipid metabolism improving agent for allowing lipids in the body to be metabolized efficiently, a lipid metabolism improving agent containing a pine bark extract as an active component is provided. The lipid metabolism improving agent of the present invention has abilities to promote cholesterol excretion, inhibit lipid absorption, reduce body fat, and inhibit fat accumulation, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body fat-reducing agent containing a processed pueraria flower as an active component. The body fat-reducing agent has a superior body fat-reducing effect. Furthermore, the body fat-reducing agent may contain at least one of a lipid absorption suppressing component and a lipid metabolism promoting component. A food product, which contains the body fat-reducing agent, provided according to the present invention has superior effects of preventing body fat accumulation and reducing body fat.

Abstract: A proanthocyanidin-containing product containing a large amount of highly bioactive OPCs can be obtained easily by treating an extract or juice of a plant with at least two types of adsorbents that differ from one another in at least one of material, pore radius, specific surface area, and an ability of adsorbing and releasing a substance based on the molecular weight of the substance.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition including a proanthocyanidin, and preferably further including at least one selected from the group consisting of amino acids, peptides, proteins, and vitamins. The composition of the invention has an excellent effect of protecting the cardiovascular system, such as blood vessels, and also has an excellent effect of enhancing athletic ability, such as enhancement of muscle strength.

Abstract: A composition comprising: a flavan compound that is at least one of a proanthocyanidin and catechins; a protein degradation peptide having an average molecular weight of less than 7,000; and a peptide or protein having an average molecular weight of not less than 7,000. The composition does not impair effects of the flavan compound to the body. Furthermore, when the composition is formulated in a liquid preparation, neither coagulation-precipitation attributable to the nature of the flavan compound, nor coagulation-precipitation with the high molecular weight peptide or protein which is attributable to the protein-constricting property of the flavan compound is caused.

Abstract: The present invention provides an external preparation that contains processed pueraria flower. When the external preparation of the present invention is applied to skin or mucous membranes, then skin quality improving effects (skin beautifying effects) such as preventing chapped skin or preventing wrinkles, the effect of strengthening mucous membrane elasticity, and the effect of preventing gingivitis and periodontal disease, for example, are obtained. The external preparation of the present invention can develop new use of the pueraria flower.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble conjugate consisting of proanthocyanidins and a peptide containing three or more amino acids. Preferably, the average molecular weight of the peptide is not more than 7,000. The water-soluble conjugate of the present invention provides proanthocyanidins having a high protective stability and retained or increased bioactivities. Namely, it does not cause precipitation even in a long-term storage and can be transported into the body while maintaining the bioactivities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for the oral cavity that comprises a pine bark extract that is extracted from the bark of a pine. The composition for the oral cavity of the present invention can provide a plurality of effects such as an effect of improving blood flow in the mouth and an effect of reducing halitosis.

Abstract: The method comprises the process of treating an extract or squeezed juice of a plant with a salt and/or an alkaloid and then with a synthetic resin adsorbent, or the process of treating an extract or squeezed juice of a plant with a synthetic resin adsorbent and then with a salt and/or an alkaloid. By this method, a proanthocyanidin-containing product containing highly bioactive OPCs at a high ratio can be obtained easily and efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention provides a health food product comprising (A) proanthocyanidins, (B) ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof, and (C) L-cysteine or a derivative thereof. Preferably, proanthocyanidins containing at least 20 wt % of OPCs are used. The health food product of the present invention makes the body itself healthy and also provides an excellent beautification (skin-beautifying) effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for improving blood fluidity that comprises proanthocyanidins and an antioxidant (which is a substance other than proanthocyanidins, ascorbic acid and its derivatives) as active components. The composition for improving blood fluidity of the present invention improves blood flow in the body and further improves the fluidity of blood.

Abstract: The present invention provides an external preparation for improving blood flow that comprises proanthocyanidins. The external preparation for improving blood flow provides an excellent effect of improving blood flow. When the proanthocyanidins that contain preferably at least 20 wt % OPCs are employed, a further excellent effect of improving blood flow can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food for improving arthritis comprising proanthocyanidins (A) and a mucopolysaccharide and/or an amino sugar (B). Preferably, the proanthocyanidins contain at least 20 wt % of OPCs.