Unlocking the potential of l-α-glycerylphosphorylcholine in the food industry: From safety approvals to market prospects

Abstract

With the exacerbation of global population aging, age-related neurodegenerative disorders have been posing an increasing public health concern. l-α-Glycerylphosphorylcholine (l-α-GPC) has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential for mental health-related disorders and possesses promising market prospects. Recently, l-α-GPC has been successively approved as a new food resource in Canada (2023) and in China (2024). These policies pointed out the recognized safety and utility of l-α-GPC. The utilization of l-α-GPC in dietary supplements and health foods could be a convenient option for early intervention strategies to potentially delay or mitigate the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, other unique nutritional benefits of l-α-GPC have been highlighted, further expanding its application in food industry. Encouraged by the policy incentives, there is likely to be a new upsurge in the research interest surrounding l-α-GPC. To fully capitalize on these emerging opportunities, we present a comprehensive review of l-α-GPC. The chemical properties, pharmacological characteristics, safety assessments, and preparation methods of l-α-GPC were summarized. A brief outlook on the future perspectives and unsolved challenges was also proposed.