Systems and methods provide sugar alcohol to heat stressed ruminants to improve performance. During periods of high temperature or humidity, heat stressed ruminants may exhibit decreased dry matter intake, and in response, an effective amount of sugar alcohol such as sorbitol may be provided in the ruminant diet to cause performance to increase, which may include increased milk yield, improved feed efficiency or both compared to heat stressed dairy cattle without sugar alcohol in the diet.

A reduced sugar presweetened ready to eat breakfast cereal is prepared by coating dried cereal base pieces or food pieces with a reduced-sugar composition comprising maltotriose, maltotetrose in full or partial substitution for sucrose, and a high potency sweetener. The reduced-sugar coating can have a sucrose content of less than 70%, yet provides taste, texture, appearance, and bowl life that mimics presweetened R-T-E cereals having a coating with more sucrose.

A reduced sugar presweetened ready to eat breakfast cereal is prepared by coating dried cereal base pieces or food pieces with a reduced-sugar composition comprising maltotriose, maltotetrose in full or partial substitution for sucrose, and a high potency sweetener. The reduced-sugar coating can have a sucrose content of less than 70%, yet provides taste, texture, appearance, and bowl life that mimics presweetened R-T-E cereals having a coating with more sucrose.

The present invention relates to a hepato-protective beverage composition comprising a potable liquid, a primary hepato-protective agent comprising 18-Glycyrrhizin or 18-Glycyrrhizin or a combination thereof, and a complimentary hepato-protective agent comprising sugar or sugar alcohol or a combination thereof. The combination of effective amounts of the primary and complimentary hepato-protective agents provides hepato-protection and reduced toxicity caused by consumption of alcoholic beverages. The present invention also provides a beverage additive comprising these hepato-protective agents designed to be mixed with a potable liquid, providing the same beneficial results.

The present invention relates to a hepato-protective beverage composition comprising a potable liquid, a primary hepato-protective agent comprising 18-Glycyrrhizin or 18-Glycyrrhizin or a combination thereof, and a complimentary hepato-protective agent comprising sugar or sugar alcohol or a combination thereof. The combination of effective amounts of the primary and complimentary hepato-protective agents provides hepato-protection and reduced toxicity caused by consumption of alcoholic beverages. The present invention also provides a beverage additive comprising these hepato-protective agents designed to be mixed with a potable liquid, providing the same beneficial results.

The present invention relates to a sugar replacement composition, which is based on a novel and innovative combination of ingredients such that the sugar replacement composition gives rise to one or more advantageous use characteristics of comparable or superior to those of sucrose, including excellent taste, sweetness of sucrose, superior structural properties, e.g. in cake, sorbet and ice cream, improved crunchiness of biscuits, excellent organoleptic properties, low calorie content (in certain embodiments 100 kcal/100 g or less), permits reduction of fat content of certain foods such as chocolate, as well as significant health benefits, including low glycemic index, low cariogenicity, and prebiotic properties supporting growth of advantageous intestinal bacteria, beneficial effects or lowering blood sugar and slowing down the emptying of the stomach. The sugar replacement compositions of the present invention comprise polydextrose, and at least one polyol, wherein the content of the at least one polyol is from 20 weight % to 70 weight %, wherein at least one of the polyol components is erythritol, wherein the content of erythritol is from 20 weight % to 60 weight %, and wherein all weight % indications are based on the total of the sugar replacement composition being 100 weight %.

The present invention relates to a sugar replacement composition, which is based on a novel and innovative combination of ingredients such that the sugar replacement composition gives rise to one or more advantageous use characteristics of comparable or superior to those of sucrose, including excellent taste, sweetness of sucrose, superior structural properties, e.g. in cake, sorbet and ice cream, improved crunchiness of biscuits, excellent organoleptic properties, low calorie content (in certain embodiments 100 kcal/100 g or less), permits reduction of fat content of certain foods such as chocolate, as well as significant health benefits, including low glycemic index, low cariogenicity, and prebiotic properties supporting growth of advantageous intestinal bacteria, beneficial effects or lowering blood sugar and slowing down the emptying of the stomach. The sugar replacement compositions of the present invention comprise polydextrose, and at least one polyol, wherein the content of the at least one polyol is from 20 weight % to 70 weight %, wherein at least one of the polyol components is erythritol, wherein the content of erythritol is from 20 weight % to 60 weight %, and wherein all weight % indications are based on the total of the sugar replacement composition being 100 weight %.

Provided are probiotic compositions that have enhanced stability under various storage conditions. The stability of the probiotic compositions is enhanced through the addition of various agents and excipients. Examples of agents and excipients that may be used to enhance the stability of probiotic compositions include prebiotics, such as the sugar alcohols mannitol, sorbitol, and lactitol, and/or phytonutrients such as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). The probiotic compositions may be formulated into oral dosage forms such as tablets, caplets, and capsules, or manufactured as a chewing gum or as a powder formulation that may be dissolved in a liquid such as water, milk, juice, or yogurt.

Provided are probiotic compositions that have enhanced stability under various storage conditions. The stability of the probiotic compositions is enhanced through the addition of various agents and excipients. Examples of agents and excipients that may be used to enhance the stability of probiotic compositions include prebiotics, such as the sugar alcohols mannitol, sorbitol, and lactitol, and/or phytonutrients such as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs). The probiotic compositions may be formulated into oral dosage forms such as tablets, caplets, and capsules, or manufactured as a chewing gum or as a powder formulation that may be dissolved in a liquid such as water, milk, juice, or yogurt.

A method is provided for making a molten, deposited confectionery product, such as a chewing gum product. In an embodiment of the method for making a chewing gum product, one or more sugar alcohols are blended and melted before adding gum base and other ingredients. The process allows depositing at cooler temperatures than previously believed possible, which simplifies safe processing and protects product quality. In cases where the product is deposited in molds which are part of the packaging, the lower depositing temperatures allow greater flexibility in packaging materials and processes than when the sugar alcohols and other ingredients such as gum base are melted together. A product of the method also is provided.