日本語
Database107 ingredientsChecked 2026-09-30

Supplement ingredient database

Supplement ingredients, grouped by the functions they are claimed to have. For each ingredient we show how it is notified under Japan's government systems, whether the EU authorised the claim, and how the US NIH summarizes the research. We do not judge whether anything works.

Claim not authorised in the EUMany notifications in Japan, but the claim is not authorised in the EU

EU-authorised claimIngredients with an authorised health claim in the EU

In the EU, health claims on food may be used only after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed the scientific evidence and the claim has been authorised. Many plant-based claims (about 2,000) are still on hold. “No claim in the EU register” does not mean the ingredient has no effect.

Japan's three systems and the EU

How foods can carry “function” claims

Diagram comparing Japan's three systems for foods with health-function claims and the EU's health claims. FOSHU (Foods for Specified Health Uses): the government (Consumer Affairs Agency) approves each product; only the approved claim may be used. Foods with Function Claims: the company notifies its evidence on its own responsibility and the government does not review it; claims read like “… has been reported to …”, and the notification number and contents are published on the Consumer Affairs Agency site. Foods with Nutrient Function Claims: no notification or review as long as the amount of a set nutrient (vitamins, minerals, etc.) is within the government's range; the government's wording is used word for word. EU health claims: only claims assessed by EFSA and authorised by the European Commission, under set conditions of use. Function Claims notifications: 6,442 (excluding withdrawn, to Sept. 29, 2026). Authorised in the EU register: 269 of 2,337. In the EU, “not authorised” means the evidence was not established under EU standards, not that the ingredient is dangerous; about 2,000 plant-based claims are on hold.
Japan's three systems and EU health claims
SystemWho checks the evidenceWhat the claim looks like
Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU, トクホ)The government (Consumer Affairs Agency) reviews and approves each productOnly the approved claim
Foods with Function Claims (機能性表示食品)The company notifies its evidence on its own responsibility. The government does not review it“… has been reported to …” and similar. The notification number and contents are published on the Consumer Affairs Agency site
Foods with Nutrient Function Claims (栄養機能食品)No notification or review, as long as the amount of a nutrient set by the government (vitamins, minerals, etc.) is within the rangeThe government's wording, word for word (e.g. “Vitamin D is a nutrient that promotes calcium absorption in the intestine and helps bone formation.”)
EU health claimsOnly claims assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and authorised by the European CommissionThe authorised wording, under the set conditions (e.g. “DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function” requires 250 mg per day)

There are 1,025 approved FOSHU products (as of Sept. 1, 2026) and 6,442 Foods with Function Claims notifications (excluding withdrawn, to Sept. 29, 2026). The counts in this database are those notifications counted by ingredient. They are numbers of notifications, not a measure of effect or sales.

Body fat and weight

Body fat / Weight and BMI

Body fat24

Weight and BMI17

Blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids

Post-meal blood sugar / Fasting blood sugar / Blood pressure / Triglycerides / Cholesterol / Uric acid / Liver function

Post-meal blood sugar18

Fasting blood sugar3

Blood pressure14

Triglycerides17

Cholesterol13

Uric acid3

Liver function3

Circulation, cold sensitivity, and swelling

Circulation and cold sensitivity / Swelling

Circulation and cold sensitivity8

Swelling2

Eyes

Focusing and eye fatigue / Sharp vision and light stimulation / Dry eyes

Focusing and eye fatigue4

Sharp vision and light stimulation1

Dry eyes2

Brain, mind, and sleep

Memory and cognitive function / Sleep quality / Stress and tension / Fatigue

Memory and cognitive function17

Sleep quality19

Stress and tension15

Fatigue20

Bones, joints, and muscles

Bones / Knees, lower back, and joints / Muscles / Walking ability and exercise

Bones6

Knees, lower back, and joints11

Muscles6

Walking ability and exercise11

Digestive health

Bowel movements / Gut condition / Stomach

Bowel movements12

Gut condition13

Stomach2

Skin and mouth

Skin moisture / Skin elasticity and wrinkles / UV exposure / Teeth and mouth

Skin moisture14

Skin elasticity and wrinkles10

UV exposure4

Teeth and mouth8

Immunity and nose or eye discomfort

Immunity / Nasal discomfort / Itchy eyes

Immunity4

Nasal discomfort6

Itchy eyes2

Women's health concerns and urination

Menstruation and menopause / Urination

Menstruation and menopause2

Urination0

No ingredients in this database yet.

Nutrient supplementation

Vitamins / Minerals / Omega-3 fatty acids

Vitamins6

Minerals4

Omega-3 fatty acids2

Items requiring caution

Ingredients classed as drugs in Japan / Reported cases of health harm / Interactions with medications

Ingredients classed as drugs in Japan1

Reported cases of health harm1

Interactions with medications12

This database lists information published by governments and public bodies. It does not guarantee any effect or judge whether an ingredient or product is good or bad. If you are being treated for an illness, taking medicine, pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements.

Sources

Last checked 2026-09-30. Systems and notifications change over time. These pages are translations of our Japanese supplement database; claims quoted from notifications are our translations.