In the field of eye health, lutein is undoubtedly a star eye care ingredient. According to Magic Mirror Insight data, mainstream social media platform consumers in MAT2025 (June 2024 to May 2025) have a higher awareness and mention of lutein, at 47.5%. Moreover, the sales revenue of lutein as a single component is as high as 1.6 billion yuan, almost occupying half of the eye protection food market.

However, an interesting market phenomenon is worth noting: the sales of lutein decreased by 21.6% during MAT2025, while saffron (0.2%), grape seeds (0.4%), and kumquat (0.8%), which have very low cognitive mentions, experienced explosive growth: their sales increased by 156.3%, 48.8%, and 19.6%, respectively, demonstrating strong market potential.

Crocus sativus L., also known as saffron or saffron, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Crocus in the family Iridaceae. It was officially included in the list of medicinal and edible plants in 2019.

Saffron belongs to water-soluble carotenoid compounds and is the main active ingredient and pigment component of saffron.

It is worth noting that saffron has the potential to improve vision. A study has found that saffron treatment significantly increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein in the retina of mice, thereby promoting the repositioning of cone cell visual proteins, restoring vision, and high spatial frequency characteristic visual contrast sensitivity function. Ingredients rich in crocin may be used for eye care to enhance functional vision and protect retinal tissue.

China is at the forefront of grape cultivation in the world, occupying a top position in both planting area and yield. Grape seeds, as a byproduct of grapes, contain vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and polyphenols. Among them, the content of polyphenols is as high as 50-70%, and anthocyanins account for more than 95% of phenolic extracts.

Cellular aging is the main cause of physiological and pathological changes in ocular structures, including the retina. Research has found that anthocyanins in grape seeds can reduce capillary fragility, protect retinal microvessels, and upregulate NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) expression and NAD+concentration [1].

Grape seed extract (containing anthocyanins) is recognized by the FDA as a safe food ingredient in the United States and can be consumed as a dietary supplement. It is used as an antioxidant or emulsifier in beverages and beverage ingredients, breakfast cereals, fats and oils, frozen dairy desserts and mixtures, cereal products, milk, dairy products, processed fruits, and juices, with a content ranging from 0.01% to 0.08%.

Blueberries, also known as European blueberries, are the fruit of deciduous shrubs in the family Ericaceae. They have a similar appearance to blueberries, but their anthocyanin content is more than 15 times that of regular blueberries.

Clinical studies have confirmed that cranberry anthocyanins can efficiently penetrate the blood retinal barrier, inhibit oxidative damage to photoreceptor cells, promote rhodopsin regeneration, improve microcirculation, significantly alleviate visual fatigue, and enhance dark adaptation ability.

According to Magic Mirror Insight data, in MAT2025, the sales of eye protection products containing cranberry ingredients reached 300 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 19.6%. Observing the top selling products, it was found that they are all overseas brands in capsule/tablet form, and all use a compound design of cranberry+lutein/zeaxanthin.

The Food Research Association FTA search special food information query platform found a total of 183 registered health food products with the effects of "improving vision" or "relieving visual fatigue", and summarized the common eye protection ingredients among them:

Medicinal and edible homologous substances: chrysanthemum, wolfberry, cassia seed, Rehmannia glutinosa, kudzu root, poria cocos, Angelica dahurica, black sesame, hawthorn, Codonopsis pilosula, etc;

Raw materials for health food: cranberries, white peony, ginkgo leaves, dodder seeds, safflower, fish oil, etc;

Nutritional fortifiers: lutein, beta carotene, zinc gluconate, zinc lactate, sodium selenite, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, taurine, vitamin E, etc;

Others: blueberries, phospholipids, marigolds, etc.