A method of treating or preventing dehydration in an individual having impaired swallowing such as dysphagia can include administering to the individual having the dysphagia an effective amount of a composition containing a salivating agent and a cooling agent in a weight ratio of 1:0.06 to 1:0.2. Optionally the composition includes a tingling agent. The composition can be a powder that is reconstituted before administration, for example at the point of consumption. A thickening or thin cohesive agent can be included in the powder and/or can be included in a liquid in which the powder is reconstituted. The composition can be a beverage containing the salivating agent and the cooling agent in a total amount of at least 3.0 wt. % of the beverage, for example at least 6.0 wt. % of the beverage. The composition can be a ready-to-drink beverage or a frozen dessert on a stick.

A method of producing a thickened carbonated beverage packed in a container, comprising: mixing an aqueous solution containing a first thickening agent and having a temperature of 0 to 35° C. with a second thickening agent insoluble in water in a temperature range of 0 to 35° C. but soluble in water at a temperature of 60° C. or more to obtain a stock liquid with the second thickening agent dispersed in the solution; dissolving carbon dioxide gas in the stock liquid to obtain a carbonated aqueous solution; filling a container with the carbonated aqueous solution and sealing the container to obtain the carbonated aqueous solution packed in the container; and heating the carbonated aqueous solution packed in the container such that the carbonated aqueous solution has a temperature of 60° C. or more to dissolve the second thickening agent in the solution.

A method of producing a thickened carbonated beverage packed in a container, comprising: mixing an aqueous solution containing a first thickening agent and having a temperature of 0 to 35° C. with a second thickening agent insoluble in water in a temperature range of 0 to 35° C. but soluble in water at a temperature of 60° C. or more to obtain a stock liquid with the second thickening agent dispersed in the solution; dissolving carbon dioxide gas in the stock liquid to obtain a carbonated aqueous solution; filling a container with the carbonated aqueous solution and sealing the container to obtain the carbonated aqueous solution packed in the container; and heating the carbonated aqueous solution packed in the container such that the carbonated aqueous solution has a temperature of 60° C. or more to dissolve the second thickening agent in the solution.

The invention relates to a method for producing a beverage in portions, wherein a beverage concentrate portion is mixed with a water portion, said water portion being mixed with carbon dioxide prior to being mixed with the beverage concentrate. The invention additionally relates to a device for producing a beverage in portions, wherein a beverage concentrate portion is mixed with a water portion, said water portion being mixed with carbon dioxide in a static mixer prior to being mixed with the beverage concentrate.

The invention relates to a method for producing a beverage in portions, wherein a beverage concentrate portion is mixed with a water portion, said water portion being mixed with carbon dioxide prior to being mixed with the beverage concentrate. The invention additionally relates to a device for producing a beverage in portions, wherein a beverage concentrate portion is mixed with a water portion, said water portion being mixed with carbon dioxide in a static mixer prior to being mixed with the beverage concentrate.

A beverage carbonator includes a carbonation chamber having a carbonation source inlet, a fluid inlet, a gas outlet, and a carbonation source carrier. The carbonation source carrier is positioned to receive carbonation source deposited into the carbonation chamber through the carbonation source inlet. The carbonation source carrier and fluid inlet arranged to isolate carbonation source carried on the carbonation source carrier from liquid collected in the carbonation chamber through the fluid inlet until a predetermined volume of liquid is admitted into the carbonation chamber.

A beverage carbonator includes a carbonation chamber having a carbonation source inlet, a fluid inlet, a gas outlet, and a carbonation source carrier. The carbonation source carrier is positioned to receive carbonation source deposited into the carbonation chamber through the carbonation source inlet. The carbonation source carrier and fluid inlet arranged to isolate carbonation source carried on the carbonation source carrier from liquid collected in the carbonation chamber through the fluid inlet until a predetermined volume of liquid is admitted into the carbonation chamber.

A carbonated beverage maker includes a water reservoir, a carbon dioxide creation chamber, and a carbonation chamber. The water reservoir holds ice water and has a first impeller and a shroud surrounding the first impeller. The carbon dioxide creation chamber contains chemical elements and receives warm water. The chemical elements react with each other to create carbon dioxide when the warm water is introduced to the carbon dioxide creation chamber. The carbonation chamber is connected to the water reservoir and the carbon dioxide creation chamber. The carbonation chamber has a second impeller that includes a stem portion and blades. The stem portion and the blades define conduits therein. The blades create a low pressure region in a lower portion of the carbonation chamber such that carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide creation chamber flows through the conduits to the low pressure region.

A carbonated beverage maker includes a water reservoir, a carbon dioxide creation chamber, and a carbonation chamber. The water reservoir holds ice water and has a first impeller and a shroud surrounding the first impeller. The carbon dioxide creation chamber contains chemical elements and receives warm water. The chemical elements react with each other to create carbon dioxide when the warm water is introduced to the carbon dioxide creation chamber. The carbonation chamber is connected to the water reservoir and the carbon dioxide creation chamber. The carbonation chamber has a second impeller that includes a stem portion and blades. The stem portion and the blades define conduits therein. The blades create a low pressure region in a lower portion of the carbonation chamber such that carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide creation chamber flows through the conduits to the low pressure region.

A sparkling beverage having effervescence retainability; and a method for improving effervescence retainability of a sparkling beverage. The sparkling beverage has a content of Reb. B of 6-45 ppm and a content of Reb. M of 600 ppm or less.