Electrolyte-Enhanced Sweetener and Consumable Products Obtained

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods that utilize dietary electrolyte salts to improve the flavor of high-potency sweeteners and to enhance the synergistic effects between high-potency sweeteners and carbohydrate sweeteners. Specific dosage levels of dietary potassium and sodium have been discovered that correct the flavor deficits of existing high-potency sweeteners related to off-flavor, after-taste, thin mouth-feel, and loss of sweetness at high doses. In addition, these dosage levels of dietary electrolytes amplify the synergy between high-potency sweeteners and trace quantities of carbohydrate sweeteners. Consequently, electrolyte-enhanced sweetener compositions elicit sweetness, flavor, and mouth-feel profiles nearly indistinguishable from pure sugar. These compositions possess negligible calories and are compatible with a wide range of foods, beverages, serving, and preparation conditions and with food labels related to natural, organic, GMO free, allergen free, and gluten free.

Claims

1. A sweetener composition comprising dietary electrolyte salt, high-potency sweetener, and carbohydrate; wherein: the dry weight ratio of high-potency sweetener to dietary electrolyte salt is selected from within a range of around 1:2 to around 2:1; and the dry weight ratio of carbohydrate to dietary electrolyte salt is selected from within a range of around 2:1 to around 100:1.

2. The sweetener composition of claim 1, wherein: the dietary electrolyte salt comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of potassium-containing salt, sodium-containing salt, and chloride-containing salt; and the dry weight ratio of dietary potassium to dietary sodium is selected from within a range of around 3:1 or greater.

3. The sweetener composition of claim 1, wherein: the dietary electrolyte salt comprises potassium chloride and sodium chloride; and the dry weight ratio of potassium chloride to sodium chloride is selected from within a range of around 2:1 to around 5:1.

4. The sweetener composition of claim 1, wherein every portion that provides an amount of non-caloric sweetening equivalent to one gram of sugar also provides: from around one milligram to around four milligrams of dietary potassium; and from around one-quarter milligram to around one milligram of dietary sodium.

5. The sweetener composition of claim 1, wherein: the high-potency sweetener comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of stevia leaf extract, steviol glycoside, stevioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, dulcoside A, monk fruit (Luo Han Guo) extract, mogroside IV, mogroside V, esgoside, siamenoside, neomogroside, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, neotame, alitame, advantame, saccharin, and cyclamate.

6. The sweetener composition of claim 1, wherein: the carbohydrate comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltodextrin, cane sugar, dried cane juice, cane juice extract, brown sugar, coconut sugar, palm sugar, sugar alcohol, erythritol, mannitol, xylitol, inulin, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide, cellulose, glycerol, unrefined sweetener, honey, corn syrup, maple syrup, rice syrup, agave syrup, dried fruit, fruit juice, and fruit juice concentrate.

7. The sweetener composition of claim 1, further comprising flavoring, wherein: the dry weight ratio of flavoring to dietary electrolyte salt is within a range from around 1:1 or less.

8. A packaged sweetener product comprising the sweetener composition of claim 1, wherein the sweetener product is in the form of a solid, a liquid, a syrup, a gel, an aerosol, a powder, or granules.

9. The packaged sweetener product of claim 8, wherein the sweetener product is provided in portion-control packets, sachets, liquid drops, pressed cubes, tablets, or pellets.

10. The packaged sweetener product of claim 8, wherein every serving that provides an amount of non-caloric sweetening equivalent to two teaspoons or eight grams of sugar also provides: from around ten milligrams to around 40 milligrams of dietary potassium; and from around two milligrams to around eight milligrams of dietary sodium.

11. A packaged beverage product comprising the sweetening composition of claim 1 and further comprising at least one edible ingredient selected from the group consisting of flavoring agents, acidity control agents, beverage mixes, carbonated water, spring water, mineral water, alcohol, fruit and vegetable extracts, fruit and vegetable juices, concentrated fruit and vegetable juices, frozen fruit and vegetable juices, coffee and tea, concentrated coffee and tea, instant coffee and tea, coffee and tea creamers, dairy products, dairy product substitutes, vitamins, dietary minerals, dietary supplements, and combinations thereof.

12. The packaged beverage product of claim 11, wherein the beverage product is selected from the group consisting of powdered beverage concentrates, liquid beverage concentrates, frozen beverage concentrates, carbonated beverages, fountain beverages, coffee beverages, tea beverages, dairy beverages, non-dairy beverages, mineral water beverages, frozen carbonated beverages, fruit and vegetable juices, fruit and vegetable juice-flavored drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, fortified/enhanced water drinks, soy drinks, fruit drinks, vegetable drinks, grain-based drinks, malt beverages, wine-based drinks, alcoholic beverages, fermented drinks, yogurt drinks, kefir, and combinations thereof.

13. A packaged edible product comprising the sweetening composition of claim 1, wherein the edible product is selected from the group consisting of baked goods, baking mixes, crackers, breakfast cereals, condiments, relishes, confections, hard candy, cough drops, frostings, frozen dairy desserts and mixes, fruit and water ices, gelatins, puddings, fillings, gravies and sauces, pet foods, herbs, seeds, spices, seasonings, blends, extracts, flavorings, jams and jellies, processed fruits, processed vegetables, preserved fruits, preserved vegetables, meat products, milk products, dairy products, egg products, fish products, snack foods, soft candy, soups and soup mixes, sweet sauces, toppings, and syrups, baby food, baby formula, frozen dinners, grain mixtures, nut products, poultry, reconstituted fruits and vegetables, ready to eat meals, salad dressings, sweet sauce, and combinations thereof.

14. A packaged chewing gum product comprising the sweetening composition of claim 1 and further comprising at least one edible ingredient selected from the group consisting of flavor agents, color agents, and gum bases.

15. A packaged oral care product comprising the sweetening composition of claim 1 and further comprising at least one oral care agent selected from the group consisting of fluoridation agents, antiseptic, disinfectant, flavor agents, color agents, scrubbing agent, whitening agent, and combinations thereof.

16. A method to prepare a sweetener composition comprising the adding together of ingredients comprising dietary electrolyte salt, high-potency sweetener, and carbohydrate, wherein: dietary electrolyte salt comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of potassium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium-containing salt, sodium-containing salt, and chloride-containing salt; high-potency sweetener comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of stevia extract, steviol glycoside, stevioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, dulcoside A, monk fruit (Luo Han Guo) extract, mogroside IV, mogroside V, esgoside, siamenoside, neomogroside, monatin, thaumatin, monellin, brazzein, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, neotame, alitame, advantame, saccharin, and cyclamate; carbohydrate comprises one or more members selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltodextrin, cane sugar, dried cane juice, cane juice extract, brown sugar, coconut sugar, palm sugar, sugar alcohol, erythritol, mannitol, xylitol, inulin, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide, cellulose, glycerol, unrefined sweetener, honey, corn syrup, maple syrup, rice syrup, agave syrup, dried fruit, fruit juice, and fruit juice concentrate; the dry weight ratio of high-potency sweetener to dietary electrolyte salt is selected from within a range of around 1:2 to around 2:1; and the dry weight ratio of carbohydrate to dietary electrolyte salt is selected from within a range around 2:1 to around 100:1.

17. A method to prepare a beverage comprising the method of claim 16, further comprising the adding together of at least one edible ingredient selected from the group consisting of flavor agents, color agents, acidity control agents, beverage mixes, carbonated water, spring water, mineral water, alcohol, fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable extracts, fruit and vegetable juices, concentrated fruit and vegetable juices, frozen fruit and vegetable juices, coffee and tea, concentrated coffee and tea, instant coffee and tea, coffee and tea creamers, dairy products, dairy product substitutes, and combinations thereof.

18. A method to prepare an edible composition comprising the method of claim 16, further comprising the adding together of at least one edible ingredient selected from the group consisting of flavor agents, color agents, acidity control agents, water, fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable extracts, fruit and vegetable juices, concentrated fruit and vegetable juices, frozen fruit and vegetable juices, dairy products, dairy product substitutes, grains, beans, legumes, pulses, nuts, seeds, meats, leavening agents, preservatives, and combinations thereof.

19. A method to prepare a chewing gum composition comprising the method of claim 16, further comprising the adding together of at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of flavor agents, color agents, gum bases, and combinations thereof.

20. A method to prepare an oral care composition comprising the method of claim 16, further comprising the adding together of at least one oral care agent selected from the group consisting of fluoridation agents, antiseptic, disinfectant, flavor agents, color agents, scrubbing agent, whitening agent, and combinations thereof.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0253] The present invention is further illustrated by the following example compositions and methods, which are not to be construed in any way as to be imposing limitations on the invention. On the contrary, the following examples should allow those skilled in the art to derive other embodiments from modifications and combinations of these examples without departing from the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the appended claims.

[0254] 1. A method to prepare an electrolyte-enhanced sweetener composition comprising the adding together of dietary electrolyte salt, high-potency sweetener, and carbohydrate.

[0255] 2. The method of example 1, wherein the dietary electrolyte salt is selected from salts in common dietary use that provide dietary potassium, dietary sodium, and dietary chloride. Potassium chloride and sodium chloride are commonly selected though other dietary salts containing dietary potassium, sodium, and chloride can be selected.

[0256] 3. The method of example 1, wherein the high-potency sweetener is selected from herbal extract sweeteners and artificial sweeteners in common use to enhance the perception of potent sweetness in foods and beverages sweetened by the sweetener composition.

[0257] 4. The method of example 1, wherein the dry weight ratio of high-potency sweetener to dietary electrolyte salt is selected to elicit an optimum balance of sweetness potency and flavor thickness based on the following considerations: [0258] (a) When the dry weight ratio of high-potency sweetener to dietary electrolyte salt significantly under-represents dietary electrolyte salt, the sweetener composition will taste thinner and more artificial compared to natural sugar. [0259] (b) When the dry weight ratio of high-potency sweetener to dietary electrolyte salt significantly over-represents dietary electrolyte salt, the sweetener composition will taste thicker like natural sugar but will also taste more salty, sour, bitter, chalky, or soapy. Such flavor profiles are commonly associated with electrolyte-rich mineral waters and sports drinks.

[0260] 5. The method of example 4, wherein the high-potency sweetener is selected from high purity rebaudioside A extracts (>95% purity) from stevia leaf, high purity mogroside V extracts (>80% purity) from monk fruit, or high potency artificial sweeteners (>200 more potent than sugar). Under these circumstances, the weight ratio of high-potency sweetener to dietary electrolyte salt is selected from values around 1:2.

[0261] 6. The method of example 4, wherein the high-potency sweetener is selected from moderate purity steviol glycoside extracts (>75% purity) from stevia leaf, moderate purity mogroside extracts (>50% purity) from monk fruit, or moderate potency artificial sweeteners (50 to 200 more potent than sugar). Under these circumstances, the weight ratio of high-potency sweetener to dietary electrolyte salt is selected from values around 1:1.

[0262] 7. The method of example 4, wherein the high-potency sweetener is selected from partially purified steviol glycoside extracts (>50% purity) from stevia leaf, partially purified mogroside extracts (>20% purity) from monk fruit, or marginal potency artificial sweeteners (10 to 50 more potent than sugar). Under these circumstances, the weight ratio of high-potency sweetener to dietary electrolyte salt is selected from values around 2:1.

[0263] 8. The method of example 1, wherein the carbohydrate is selected to comprise low-potency sweeteners in common use such as sugars, sugar alcohols, and syrups to enhance the intensity of sweetness in foods and beverages sweetened by the sweetener composition.

[0264] 9. The method of example 8, wherein the carbohydrate is selected to elicit a desired flavor profile in the sweetener. Unrefined cane sugar is selected to provide a flavor profile with molasses flavor notes. Coconut sugar provides caramel flavor notes. Maple sugar provides maple flavor notes.

[0265] 10. The method of example 8, wherein the carbohydrate further comprises added flavorings to elicit a desired flavor profile in the sweetener above and beyond the flavors provided by the carbohydrate in isolation. Flavoring extracts of cane juice, coconut water, and maple sap provide molasses, caramel, and maple flavor notes to the flavor profile of the sweetener.

[0266] 11. The method of example 1, wherein the dry weight ratio of carbohydrate to dietary electrolyte is selected to elicit an optimum balance between sweetness intensity and flavor thickness that most closely reproduces the flavor of natural sugar. [0267] (a) When the dry weight ratio of carbohydrate to dietary electrolyte salt significantly under-represents dietary electrolyte salt, the sweetener composition will taste thinner and more artificial compared to natural sugar. [0268] (b) When the dry weight ratio of carbohydrate to dietary electrolyte salt significantly over-represents dietary electrolyte salt, the sweetener composition will taste thicker like natural sugar but will also taste more salty, sour, bitter, chalky, or soapy. Such flavor profiles are commonly associated with electrolyte-rich mineral waters and sports drinks.

[0269] 12. The method of example 11, wherein: the carbohydrate is cane sugar and cane sugar extract; the weight ratio of carbohydrate to dietary electrolyte salt is selected from values around five to one; and the target sweetener is a tabletop granular sweetener.

[0270] 13. The method of example 11, wherein: the carbohydrate is brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple sugar, cane sugar, cane sugar extract, and xanthan gum; the weight ratio of carbohydrate to dietary electrolyte salt is selected from values around fifty to one; and the target sweetener is a tabletop syrup.

[0271] 14. A finely ground electrolyte-enhanced tabletop sweetener composition comprises cane sugar, dried cane juice, stevia leaf extract, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride. A one-eighth teaspoon serving of the composition provides the same sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar containing 32 calories yet contains less than one calorie and provides about 16 milligrams of dietary potassium (0% daily value) and about 3 milligrams of dietary sodium (0% daily value). The composition reproduces the flavor of natural sugar while reducing the added sugar and calories by 97%.

[0272] 15. An electrolyte-enhanced tabletop syrup composition comprises water, brown sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, cane sugar, dried cane juice, xanthan gum, vanilla extract, stevia leaf extract, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and potassium sorbate. A one-quarter cup serving of the electrolyte-enhanced tabletop syrup composition provides the same sweetness and flavor as a one-quarter cup serving of regular tabletop syrup yet contains about 12 grams of added sugar instead of 60 grams of added sugar and about 48 calories instead of 240 calories, representing an 80% reduction in added sugar and calories. Each serving contains sufficiently reduced sugar and calorie content that it qualifies for a Reduced sugar as well as a Naturally Sweetened marketing claim on the label. Each serving also contains an additional 105 milligrams or 3% daily value of dietary potassium and 20 milligrams or 0% daily value of dietary sodium arising from the electrolyte-enhanced sweetener.

[0273] 16. An electrolyte-enhanced, sweetened beverage composition that tastes nearly indistinguishable from a sugar-sweetened beverage yet contains 97% less added sugar. Each 12-fluid-ounce or 355-milliliter serving contains about 1 additional gram of sugar and 4 additional calories arising from the electrolyte-enhanced sweetener while an equivalent serving of a sugar-sweetened beverage contains about 36 additional grams of sugar and 140 additional calories. Each serving contains sufficiently reduced sugar and calorie content that it qualifies for a Calorie Free, Reduced sugar, as well as a Naturally Sweetened marketing claim on the label. Each serving also contains an additional 85 milligrams or 2% daily value of dietary potassium and 15 milligrams or 0% daily value of dietary sodium arising from the electrolyte-enhanced sweetener.

[0274] 17. An electrolyte-enhanced, sweetened yogurt composition that tastes nearly indistinguishable from a sugar-sweetened yogurt composition yet contains 97% less added sugar. Each 8-fluid-ounce or 240-milliliter serving contains less than one additional gram of sugar and about 3 additional calories arising from the electrolyte-enhanced sweetener while an equivalent serving of a sugar-sweetened yogurt contains about 25 additional grams of sugar and 100 additional calories. Each serving contains sufficiently reduced sugar and calorie content that it qualifies for a Reduced sugar as well as a Naturally Sweetened marketing claim on the label. Each serving also contains an additional 60 milligrams or 1% daily value of dietary potassium and 10 milligrams or 0% daily value of dietary sodium arising from the electrolyte-enhanced sweetener.

[0275] 18. An electrolyte-enhanced, sweetened, fruit-flavored, powdered beverage composition that mixes into water and tastes nearly indistinguishable from a sugar-sweetened powdered beverage composition mixed with water yet contains 97% less added sugar. The powdered beverage composition comprises cane sugar, cane sugar extract, inulin, stevia leaf extract, citric acid, vitamin C, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, natural flavors, and natural colors. Each three-gram serving will flavor 10-fluid-ounces or 300 milliliters of water. Each three-gram serving contains less than one additional gram of sugar and about 3 additional calories arising from the electrolyte-enhanced sweetener while an equivalent serving of a sugar-sweetened powdered beverage composition contains about 25 additional grams of sugar and 100 additional calories. Each serving contains sufficiently reduced sugar and calorie content that it qualifies for a Reduced sugar as well as a Naturally Sweetened marketing claim on the label. Each serving also contains an additional 115 milligrams or 3% daily value of dietary potassium and 20 milligrams or 0% daily value of dietary sodium arising from the electrolyte-enhanced sweetener.

[0276] While the invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.