Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida), a tangy-sweet fruit long valued in traditional medicine for aiding digestion, has recently drawn new attention for its anti-aging effects—especially on skin health. This article reviews a 2024 Nutrients study by Korean National University researchers: 36 healthy adults (25–75 years) took 900mg/day hawthorn fruit (HF) supplements or corn starch placebo for 6 months. The HF group had improved facial skin hydration and fewer wrinkles, while the control group showed reduced hydration and more wrinkles; these benefits were most notable in participants with the major alleles of TERT polymorphisms (rs7705526 CC, rs2853669 AA). Additionally, the article outlines hawthorn’s status as a 2002 China-approved "food-as-medicine" ingredient, its over 150 bioactive compounds (e.g., flavonoids, triterpenoids), and diverse health benefits (aiding digestion, supporting cardiovascular health, antibacterial activity, regulating blood pressure/sugar). It also analyzes the global hawthorn extract market—valued at $51.4M in 2024, projected to reach $89.24M by 2030 (8.2% CAGR)—and innovative products like fermented wine and functional supplements, highlighting its growing relevance in Western markets with rising demand for natural functional foods.
In the bustling aisles of Western grocery stores, hawthorn often lingers in the shadow of more mainstream fruits like apples or berries. Yet this small, ruby-red gem—with its zesty-sweet flavor that brightens jellies, ciders, and even herbal teas—has long been cherished in traditional medicine, from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) to European folk remedies, for its ability to soothe digestion and support wellness. Today, it’s stepping into the spotlight for an unexpected role: fighting skin aging. Thanks to cutting-edge research from South Korea, we’re now learning that this humble fruit might hold the key to softer, more hydrated skin and fewer wrinkles—adding a exciting new chapter to its legacy as a "superfood with heritage." Let’s dive into the science, benefits, and growing global impact of hawthorn.
1. Eat Hawthorn Fruit, Improve Skin Aging? The Science Speaks
A groundbreaking study, published in June 2024 by researchers from Korea National University in the esteemed journal Nutrients, has shed light on hawthorn’s remarkable effects on skin health. The team set out to explore whether supplementing with hawthorn fruit could counteract signs of skin aging—and the results are compelling.
DOI: 10.3390/nu17121983
The study enrolled 36 healthy adults, ranging in age from 25 to 75 years (with both men and women participating). These participants were randomly divided into two groups: a hawthorn fruit supplementation group (consisting of 17 people) and a control group (with 19 people). To ensure the study’s rigor, all participants were instructed to take their assigned supplements two hours before bedtime each day, and this routine was maintained consistently for a full 6 months. The hawthorn group received a powdered hawthorn fruit (HF) supplement, dosed at 900 milligrams per day, while the control group took an identical-looking placebo made of corn starch (also 900 milligrams per day). Crucially, all 36 participants completed both the initial baseline assessment and all subsequent follow-up evaluations—ensuring no data gaps undermined the findings.
When the researchers analyzed the follow-up data, clear differences emerged between the two groups, starting with skin hydration. For the control group, their average facial skin hydration scores decreased over the 6 months—a common sign of aging, as skin’s ability to retain moisture declines over time. In stark contrast, the hawthorn supplementation group saw their hydration scores rise steadily. This trend strongly suggests that adding hawthorn fruit to one’s routine can help improve skin moisture levels, effectively easing the dryness that often comes with aging.
The results for skin wrinkles were equally striking. At the start of the experiment, there was no significant difference in wrinkle scores between the control group and the hawthorn group—meaning both groups began with similar levels of fine lines or wrinkles. By the end of the 6-month follow-up, however, the control group’s wrinkle scores had increased (indicating more or deeper wrinkles), while the hawthorn group’s wrinkle scores had decreased. This "reverse trend"—wrinkles worsening in the placebo group and improving in the hawthorn group—highlighted hawthorn’s potential to reduce existing wrinkles and slow the formation of new ones.
Table: Comparison of baseline and follow-up data between the control and HF supplementation groups.
Beyond basic skin metrics, the study also delved into more advanced biological factors: specifically, how hawthorn affects facial skin phenotypes (observable skin traits) and leukocyte telomere length (a marker of cellular aging) in healthy adults. Additionally, the researchers investigated whether these effects varied based on polymorphisms (genetic variations) in the TERT gene—short for telomerase reverse transcriptase, a gene that plays a key role in maintaining telomere length and cellular health.
The genotype-specific analysis revealed a fascinating detail: hawthorn’s skin-friendly benefits (such as enhanced hydration and reduced wrinkles) were most pronounced in participants who carried the "major alleles" of two specific TERT gene variants: rs7705526 and rs2853669. Specifically:
- For the rs7705526 variant: Participants with the CC genotype (the major allele) in the hawthorn group showed a significant increase in hydration scores compared to the control group with the same genotype.
- For the rs2853669 variant: Participants with the AA genotype (the major allele) in the hawthorn group had significantly lower wrinkle scores than their counterparts in the control group with the same genotype.
In contrast, no such differences in skin phenotypes were observed between the hawthorn and control groups among participants who carried the "mutant alleles" of these genes—i.e., those with the CA or AA genotypes for rs7705526, or the AG or GG genotypes for rs2853669. Interestingly, across all genotype groups, there was no significant variation in the change in relative leukocyte telomere length—suggesting hawthorn’s anti-aging effects on skin may operate independently of this particular cellular aging marker.
2. Hawthorn: A "Food-as-Medicine" Powerhouse
Scientifically known as Crataegus pinnatifida, hawthorn—also called "mountain hawthorn" or "red haw"—belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). It is widely cultivated across China (its historical homeland) and has also gained popularity in parts of Europe and North America, where it thrives in temperate climates. For centuries, it has been revered as a go-to remedy for digestive issues: in TCM, for example, "processed hawthorn" (often stir-fried until slightly charred, known as "Jia Shan Zha" or "charred hawthorn") is a staple for relieving bloating and indigestion. Notably, every part of the hawthorn plant—its fleshy fruit, leaves, and even seeds—has been used in traditional medicine, highlighting its versatility.
Modern medicine also validates hawthorn’s digestive benefits: it is recognized for strengthening the spleen, stimulating appetite, and resolving "food stagnation"—particularly the discomfort caused by overeating fatty meats or greasy foods. For everyday consumption, food-grade hawthorn is selected for its large fruit size, thick flesh, and balanced sweet-tart flavor. It is enjoyed fresh (when in season) or processed into a variety of beloved treats: think hawthorn jam, candied hawthorn (a classic snack in many Asian countries, similar to Western fruit leathers), and even "hawthorn tanghulu"—skewered, sugar-glazed hawthorn berries that are a popular street food. In Western markets, it’s also commonly found in herbal teas, fruit preserves, and increasingly, as a dietary supplement.
A key milestone in hawthorn’s recognition as a "food-as-medicine" ingredient came in 2002, when China’s former Ministry of Health officially listed it as one of the first substances approved under the "dual-use" category—meaning it is safe for both food consumption and medicinal use. This designation reflects its long history of safe use and growing scientific evidence of its benefits.
To date, researchers have identified more than 150 distinct chemical compounds in hawthorn, each contributing to its health-promoting properties. These include:
- Flavonoids: Such as apigenin, luteolin, and orientin—powerful antioxidants known for their anti-inflammatory and cell-protective effects.
- Triterpenoids: Including ursolic acid and oleanolic acid, which have been studied for their potential to support liver health and reduce inflammation.
- Steroids: Compounds that play a role in regulating various physiological processes.
- Lignans: Like pinoresinol, which have antioxidant and hormone-balancing properties.
- Organic acids: Such as anisic acid, vanillic acid, and malic acid—these not only contribute to hawthorn’s tangy flavor but also aid digestion by stimulating gastric juice secretion.
- Nitrogen-containing compounds: Which include amino acids and amines, essential for overall cellular function.
3. The Many Health Benefits of Hawthorn
Hawthorn’s appeal extends far beyond digestion and skin health—it offers a wide range of benefits supported by scientific research, making it a true multi-tasker in the world of functional foods.
Aids Digestion
Hawthorn is one of the best-known natural remedies for indigestion (dyspepsia). Research shows that its fruit extract can enhance gastrointestinal motility (the movement of food through the digestive tract), helping to reduce bloating, gas, and feelings of fullness. The phenolic compounds in hawthorn, particularly phenolic acids, are particularly important in this regard: their stable chemical structure enables them to survive the harsh environment of the gastrointestinal tract and exert their digestive benefits by stimulating enzyme activity and soothing irritation in the intestinal lining.
Supports Cardiovascular Health
Hawthorn has a long history of use in supporting heart health, and modern science is backing this up. Research indicates that it can regulate and improve cardiovascular function by:
- Enhancing the strength of heart muscle contractions (improving cardiac output).
- Dilating the coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen), which increases blood flow to the heart.
- Slowing down the heart rate and reducing the heart’s oxygen consumption—easing strain on the heart.
- Lowering peripheral vascular resistance (the resistance blood faces as it flows through the body’s small blood vessels), which supports healthy blood circulation.
In animal studies, for example, pretreatment with hawthorn alcohol extract was found to maintain the antioxidant status of heart mitochondria (the "powerhouses" of cells), preventing lipid peroxidation (a type of cellular damage) and preserving the activity of key enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (a critical energy-producing process) in rats with heart damage induced by isoprenaline. Additionally, hawthorn extract has been shown to protect the vascular endothelium (the thin layer of cells lining blood vessels) by inhibiting the Ca/PKC/Rho A signaling pathway (which can cause blood vessel constriction) and activating the cAMP/Epac1/Rap1 pathway (which promotes blood vessel relaxation).
Exhibits Antibacterial Properties
Hawthorn extract has demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against a wide range of harmful bacteria and fungi. Studies have found that it can inhibit the growth of various bacilli (rod-shaped bacteria) and cocci (spherical bacteria), including:
- Bacteroides forsythus (linked to gum disease).
- Shigella sonnei (a cause of bacterial dysentery).
- Bacillus smithii (a soil-dwelling bacterium that can cause infections in immunocompromised individuals).
- Proteus vulgaris (a common cause of urinary tract infections).
- Bacillus anthracis (the bacterium that causes anthrax).
Even hawthorn seed extract has shown promise: it exhibits strong and stable antibacterial effects against common pathogens like Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (a cause of skin infections), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (linked to hospital-acquired infections), and Candida albicans (a fungus that causes yeast infections).
Helps Regulate Blood Pressure
For individuals struggling with high blood pressure (hypertension), hawthorn may offer natural support. Research has shown that hawthorn fruit extract has antioxidant effects that can counteract hypertension induced by a high-salt diet, particularly by protecting the renal medulla (the inner part of the kidney, which plays a key role in regulating blood pressure). In a randomized controlled trial involving patients with type 2 diabetes, those who took hawthorn extract experienced a significantly greater reduction in average diastolic blood pressure (the "lower number" in a blood pressure reading, which measures pressure when the heart is at rest) compared to patients who took a placebo. Another study found that a hydroalcoholic extract of hawthorn flower buds can inhibit the activity of thromboxane A2 (TXA2)—a compound that causes blood vessels to constrict—while promoting the dilation of peripheral blood vessels, ultimately leading to lower blood pressure.
Assists in Managing Blood Sugar Levels
Hawthorn also shows potential for supporting healthy blood sugar levels, making it a valuable ally for those at risk of or living with type 2 diabetes. Its phenolic and flavonoid compounds are believed to be the key active ingredients here, as they help regulate glucose metabolism. Studies have found that hawthorn can improve hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and triglycerides) caused by a high-fat diet, while also lowering blood sugar and triglyceride levels. One specific compound, quercetin (a flavonoid abundant in hawthorn), has been shown to effectively inhibit the activity of α-glucosidase—an enzyme that breaks down complex carbohydrates into glucose in the small intestine. By slowing this process, quercetin reduces the rate at which glucose is released and absorbed into the bloodstream, helping to prevent sharp spikes in blood sugar.
4. The Global Hawthorn Extract Market: Growth and Innovation
Hawthorn’s rising popularity as a functional ingredient is reflected in its booming global market. According to industry data, the global hawthorn extract market was valued at $51.4 million in 2024—and this figure is projected to soar to $89.24 million by the end of 2030. Over the forecast period (2024–2030), the market is expected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. This growth is driven by increasing consumer demand for natural, plant-based supplements and functional foods, as well as growing awareness of hawthorn’s health benefits (from digestion to skin aging).
In the food and beverage sector, hawthorn is being transformed into an array of innovative products that cater to modern tastes. For example, hawthorn fermented wine—made by crushing fresh hawthorn berries, fermenting them, filtering and clarifying the liquid, and aging it—has gained a following for its rich, fruity aroma, smooth texture, and subtle tartness. It’s often marketed as a "health-conscious alternative" to traditional wines, appealing to consumers looking for drinks with added wellness benefits.
Beyond traditional products like jams and snacks, the market is seeing a surge in functional hawthorn-based items tailored to specific health needs. These include:
- Hawthorn functional drinks: Ready-to-drink beverages infused with hawthorn extract, often blended with other beneficial ingredients like green tea or ginger, marketed for energy, digestion, or heart health.
- Hawthorn dietary supplements: Available in powdered, capsule, or tablet form, these supplements are designed to deliver a concentrated dose of hawthorn’s active compounds—catering to consumers who want a convenient way to incorporate hawthorn into their daily routine (such as the 900mg dose used in the skin aging study).
In Western markets, where "clean label" and "natural origin" are top consumer priorities, hawthorn is increasingly being positioned as a versatile ingredient that bridges traditional wellness and modern nutrition. From organic hawthorn tea blends in health food stores to hawthorn-infused protein bars, it’s becoming easier than ever for consumers in Europe and North America to experience the benefits of this ancient fruit.