What is agar?
Agar, also known as agar or cold weather, is a natural polysaccharide extracted from seaweed and is widely used in food, medicine and scientific research. In recent years, with the rise of healthy eating, agar-agar has become a hot topic due to its low-calorie and high-fiber properties. This article will combine the hot content of the entire Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the origin, uses and market dynamics of agar.
1. The origin and characteristics of agar
Agar was first discovered in East Asia and is made from red algae plants (such as Gelidium) after boiling, filtering, and cooling. Its main components are polysaccharides (agarose and agarose), which have the following properties:
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Gelability | Dissolve in hot water and form a stable gel after cooling |
| low calorie | Almost no calories, suitable for people who want to lose weight |
| High dietary fiber | Promote intestinal peristalsis and improve digestion |
2. Uses of agar
Agar has various uses. The following are the three major application areas that have been hotly discussed on the Internet in the past 10 days:
| field | Specific applications | Popular cases |
|---|---|---|
| food industry | Jelly, pudding, ice cream stabilizer | Internet celebrity low-calorie agar jelly recipe |
| Pharmaceutical industry | Sustained-release capsules, microbial culture media | Agar application in COVID-19 vaccine development |
| Scientific research experiments | Electrophoresis gel, cell culture | Agarose gel in gene editing technology |
3. Market dynamics of agar agar
According to e-commerce platform data and social media discussions in the past 10 days, agar-agar related products show the following trends:
| platform | Hot search keywords | heat index |
|---|---|---|
| Taobao | "Zero Calorie Agar Powder" | ↑35% |
| little red book | "Agar Weight Loss Recipe" | ↑28% |
| Douyin | “Homemade agar jelly” | ↑42% |
4. Controversies and precautions about agar
Despite its popularity, agar agar has some controversial points in recent discussions:
1.Risk of overdose: Consuming large amounts may cause bloating or diarrhea. It is recommended not to exceed 10 grams per day.
2.Identification of authenticity: Some low-priced products are adulterated with gelatin, so be sure to check for food-grade certification when purchasing.
3.Taboo for special groups: Patients with thyroid disease should consult their doctor as agar may affect iodine absorption.
5. Future Outlook
As demand for functional foods grows, innovative applications of agar have become an industry focus. Recent patent data shows that agar’s R&D investment in 3D printed food and plant-based alternatives has increased by 67% year-on-year. It is expected that the global agar agar market will grow at an average annual rate of 8.3% in the next five years.
To sum up, agar, as an ancient and modern functional raw material, is being reborn through the dual drive of technology and health. When consumers enjoy its benefits, they also need to view relevant propaganda rationally and use this natural product scientifically and rationally.
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