Nutritionally Premium Cola Carbonated Soft Drink - Composition, Method of Preparation and Applications

Abstract

Disclosed are the use of nutritive and health promoting vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in formulation, preparation and applications of Nutritionally Premium Cola (NPC) carbonated soft drinks. Also disclosed are exemplary compositions, methods of preparation and applications of NPC carbonated soft drinks.

Claims

1. A composition of Nutritionally Premium Cola (NPC) free from phosphoric acid, consisting of carbonated water, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), natural cola flavor and natural sweetener.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein concentration of vitamin C is between 9 mg to 900 mg per 240 ml of NPC at the end of shelf life.

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein natural or synthetic vitamin C in form of sodium ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate, zinc ascorbate, dehydroascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, or combinations thereof.

4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Nutritionally Premium Cola also contains complementary and new natural flavors such as cherry, vanilla, lemon/lime, orange, mango, root beer, coffee, peach, mint, cinnamon, almond, kiwi-strawberry, berry mix, apple, raspberry, watermelon, pomegranate, grapes, cranberry, banana, cardamom, mandarin, caramel, cucumber, cantaloupe, pineapple, tropical, ginger and chocolate.

5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein natural sweetener is no-calorie high intensity monk fruit extract, no-calorie high intensity stevia leaf extract, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or combinations thereof.

6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein synthetic high intensity sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium and sucralose or their combinations are included in the formulation.

7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Nutritionally Premium Cola contains caramel color.

8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Nutritionally Premium Cola contains caffeine.

9. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Nutritionally Premium Cola contains soluble bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate or combinations thereof.

10. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Nutritionally Premium Cola contains Acacia gum (gum Arabic).

11. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Nutritionally Premium Cola contains potassium sorbate as preservative.

12. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Nutritionally Premium Cola contains complementary and auxiliary organic acids (such as citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid), their sodium, potassium or calcium salts or combinations thereof.

13. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Nutritionally Premium Cola contains other essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, peptides, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids and lipids, soluble fibers, probiotics or combinations thereof.

14. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Nutritionally Premium Cola contains health promoting and risk reducing extract, concentrate or isolate from fruit, root, seed, flower, leaf or bark of a plant selected from the group comprising turmeric, ginger, milk thistle, cranberry, saw palmetto, cinnamon, rhodiola, lemon balm, St. john's wort, Panax ginseng, American ginseng, echinacea, horny goat weed, soy, black cohosh, Coleus forskohlii, Ginkgo biloba, rosemary, holy basil, elderberry, ashwagandha, olive leaf, dandelion, maca, boswellia serrata, rose hips, grapeseed, grape skin, kava, licorice, green coffee, green tea, sweet orange peel, prickly pear, devils claw, nettle, hibiscus, feverfew or combination thereof.

15. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the resultant NPC is a safe, easy-to-use, economic and nutritionally desirable carbonated soft drink.

16. A method of preparing Nutritionally Premium Cola, said method comprising the steps of: A. Mixing vitamin C (ascorbic acid), natural cola flavor and natural sweetener to form a uniform, smooth syrup or premix powder. B. If preferred, optional ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, caramel color, caffeine, potassium sorbate, functional ingredients, health promoting and risk reducing ingredients are also added to the mixture. C. The resultant uniform, smooth syrup or premix powder is mixed with filtered carbonated water (or with filtered water to be carbonated later) at a predetermined ratio to obtain NPC. D. NPC is optionally filtered through a 0.65 micron to 0.2 micron filter just prior to packaging. E. NPC is packaged. F. Packaged NPC is distributed preferably at refrigerated temperature.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the uniform, smooth dry premix powder is placed in a dispensing cap.

18. Application of Nutritionally Premium Cola wherein it is used as a healthy refreshment beverage.

19. Application of Nutritionally Premium Cola according to claim 18 wherein it is used for health promotion/risk reduction applications such as healthy aging, weight management, blood sugar health, heart health (cholesterol and blood pressure reduction), joint health, immunity health, memory health and bone health.

20. Application of Nutritionally Premium Cola according to claim 18 wherein it is used for energy, sport, relaxation, antioxidant, and probiotic and prebiotic.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0099] Historical Perspective: since John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886 and Caleb Bradham created Pepsi-Cola in 1898, the cola flavor has been the signature flavor among carbonated soft drinks. While the cola flavor is enormously popular, consumers always demanded healthier cola carbonated soft drinks. Gradual and incremental improvements have naturally occurred over the time. However, the first breakthrough in formulation of cola carbonated soft drinks occurred when so-called diet versions of colas were introduced to the market in 1960s in response to consumer demand and government concern over obesity and diabetes type 2. These diet colas initially used no-calorie artificial high-intensity sweeteners (e.g., saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium and sucralose). Consumers demanded healthier sweeteners and, as a result, colas using no-calorie natural high-intensity sweeteners (e.g., stevia leaf extract and monk fruit extract) were introduced to market within the last decade. The present invention is the second breakthrough in formulation of cola carbonated soft drinks in response to consumer demand for healthier colas. This invention brings a paradigm shift in the nutritional value, and image of carbonated soft drinks from negative to positive.

[0100] The present invention represents a new composition, method of preparation and applications, above and beyond the prior art, of producing Nutritionally Premium Cola (NPC) using the nutritive and health promoting vitamin C (ascorbic acid) as the organic acid of choice in the formulation. The present invention meets four basic criteria for its purpose (safety, ease-of-use, economic, and nutritionally desirable) and therefore is useful: [0101] 1) Safety: this method avoids phosphoric acid with numerous health risks including risks to bones, kidney and teeth. Instead, it uses vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which is considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Safety of use of vitamin C during the past several decades have been proven beyond any shadow of doubt. [0102] 2) Ease-of-Use: vitamin C (and its salts such as sodium ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate) is currently used as dietary supplement. Vitamin C (natural and synthetic) is among the most widely taken dietary supplements and is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, drink mix packets, capsules, and as crystalline powder. This shows that there is a great ease-of-use for vitamin C. In fact, using vitamin C as an acid in cola carbonated soft drinks was found to be very easy when prototypes of NPC were developed. [0103] 3) Economic: vitamin C is relatively inexpensive due to its mass production. For example, the average wholesale price of vitamin C is about $10.00/kg. This means that 90 mg (100% RDA) of vitamin C would cost about $0.001. This shows use of vitamin C is economic. This cost could be even lower for global syrup manufacturers. Also, assuming NPC will be sold at a premium price, vitamin C cost would be truly negligible. [0104] 4) Nutritionally Desirable: vitamin C is more than nutritionally desirable! It is an essential nutrient. We must receive it from food or supplements to avoid health problems. That is the reason it is in the World Health Organization (WHO) list of essential medicines. The recommendation of Linus Pauling Institute (world's leading scientific entity on vitamin C) shows the status of vitamin C in our daily nutrition: Because of the very high benefit-to-risk ratio of vitamin C supplementation, and to ensure tissue and body saturation of vitamin C in almost all healthy people, the Linus Pauling Institute recommends a vitamin C intake of at least 400 mg daily for adult men and women . . . . To make sure you meet the Institute's recommendation, supplemental vitamin C in two separate 250-mg doses taken in the morning and evening is recommended. This is 5.5 times of RDA for vitamin C. Fortunately, the tolerable upper intake level (maximum daily intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects) of vitamin C is 2,000 mg/day for adults (male and female).

[0105] As far as acidity of carbonated soft drinks is concerned, we may consider the following values: high acid (pH<4.0), medium acid (pH 4.0-5.0), low acid (pH 5.0-7.0).

[0106] Since pH of carbonated water (without any other ingredient) is about 3.8 to 4.0. carbonated water is considered a high/medium acid drink. If preferred, acidity of NPC carbonated soft drink can be easily adjusted to desirable level by addition of sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate or combination thereof.

[0107] NPCs should be prepared in processing plants that meet FDA's Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). Furthermore, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) aim is to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus of federal regulators from responding to contamination to preventing it. FSMA includes soft drinks in its regulated products. Processors are required to have Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan or Hazard Analysis and Risk-based Preventive Controls (HARPC) plan in place. While facilities vary, in general, filtration is recommended at the following stages of beverage processing (Donaldson Filtration Solutions www.donaldson.com): [0108] 1) Incoming source water: Pre-filtration of municipal or spring water to remove sediment, particulates and larger microorganisms through a 25 micron filter; produces industrial water suitable for equipment and container cleaning. [0109] 2) Intermediate processing: Depth filtration through a 10 micron filter to remove smaller particulates and impurities shed during resin or carbon activation steps; specially to preserve integrity of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. [0110] 3) Initial bacterial reduction: Sterile-grade filtration through a 5 micron to 1 micron filter to remove majority of microorganisms potentially present in the water or in containers. [0111] 4) Final sterile filtration: Critical filtering through a 0.2 micron filter just prior to packaging; using a sterile-grade membrane filter to capture last surviving microorganisms. [0112] 5) In storage: Tank vent filters on stored product in holding tanks; to prevent the ingression of airborne contaminants while equalizing tank pressure as volume changes.

[0113] Depending on their applications in market, Nutritionally Premium Colas may be divided into four categories:

Category 1) Healthy Refreshment NPCs (original cola flavor)
Category 2) Healthy Refreshment NPCs (with complementary and new flavors)

Category 3) Functional NPCs

Category 4) Health Promoting and Risk Reducing NPCs

[0114] In the most preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to composition, method of preparation and applications of Nutritionally Premium Colas (NPCs) made with vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

[0115] We target to have from 10% RDA (90 mg0.1=9 mg or good source) up to 1000% RDA (90 mg10=900 mg) vitamin C in 240 ml of NPC at the end of the shelf life. The amount of vitamin C in NPC that reaches the hands of consumer depends on several factors including other ingredients in NPC, pH of NPC, processing temperature and time, residual oxygen in headspace, oxygen and light barrier properties of package, distribution temperature and time, and targeted shelf life of 3 to 6 months. To minimize loss of vitamin C, the following precautions should be taken to the extent possible:

a) Preparation of syrup (or premix powder) is done at a refrigerated temperature
b) Using filtered water, carbonation is done at refrigerated temperature.
c) NPC is optionally filtered through a 0.65 micron to 0.2 micron filter at refrigerated temperature.
d) Packaging of NPC is done at refrigerated temperature. Any washing of packages should be done with cold water.
e) Distribution and storage of NPC are optionally done at refrigerated temperature.

[0116] Despite all the above efforts, for any specific NPC product we need to include a reasonable overage to guarantee presence of the desirable amount of vitamin C in NPC at the end of the shelf life. If the amount of vitamin C causes too much tartness (sourness) and low pH, proper amount of sodium bicarbonate (or potassium bicarbonate or their combination) can be added to the formulation at the start of syrup preparation. This will convert ascorbic acid to sodium or potassium ascorbate and correct both undesirable tartness and low pH. In other words, vitamin C becomes buffered vitamin C. If no loss of vitamin C in solution, and therefore no need for overage, is desirable, the premix powder should be placed in a dispensing cap, where the premix powder is mechanically introduced into the carbonated water at the time of consumption.

[0117] In specific embodiments, the Nutritionally Premium Colas contains vitamin C in form of natural or synthetic ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate, dehydroascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, or combination thereof.

[0118] In another specific embodiment, natural liquid or solid cola flavor can be used. If needed, complementary and new natural flavors (such as cherry, vanilla, lemon/lime, orange, mango, root beer, coffee, peach, mint, cinnamon, almond, kiwi-strawberry, berry mix, apple, raspberry, watermelon, pomegranate, grapes, cranberry, banana, cardamom, mandarin, caramel, cucumber, cantaloupe, pineapple, tropical, ginger and chocolate) can also be added to natural cola flavor.

[0119] In another specific embodiment, no-calorie, natural high-intensity sweeteners (e.g., stevia leaf extract and monk fruit extract), calorific natural sweeteners (e.g., sugar and high-fructose corn syrup), and their combination may be used as sweetener.

[0120] In further specific embodiments, no-calorie, artificial high-intensity sweeteners (e.g., saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium and sucralose) or their combination can be used as sweetener.

[0121] In further specific embodiments, optional ingredients such as caramel color, caffeine, Acacia gum (gum Arabic), potassium sorbate or their combination are included in the formulation of syrup or premix powder.

[0122] In further specific embodiments, complementary and auxiliary organic acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid or their combination are included in the formulation of syrup or premix powder.

[0123] In further specific embodiments, complementary and auxiliary sodium, potassium or calcium salt of organic acids (citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid) or combination thereof are included in the formulation of syrup or premix powder.

[0124] In further specific embodiments, other essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, peptides, amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids and lipids, soluble fibers, probiotics or their combination are included in the formulation of syrup or premix powder.

[0125] In further specific embodiments, functional ingredients are included in the Nutritionally Premium Cola for the following applications: energy, sport, relaxation, antioxidant, probiotic and prebiotic.

[0126] In further specific embodiments, extract, concentrate or isolate from fruit, root, seed, flower, leaf or bark of a plant selected from the group comprising turmeric, ginger, milk thistle, cranberry, saw palmetto, cinnamon, rhodiola, lemon balm, St. john's wort, Panax ginseng, American ginseng, echinacea, horny goat weed, soy, black cohosh, Coleus forskohlii, Ginkgo biloba, rosemary, holy basil, elderberry, ashwagandha, olive leaf, dandelion, maca, boswellia serrata, rose hips, grapeseed, grape skin, kava, licorice, green coffee, green tea, sweet orange peel, prickly pear, devils claw, nettle, hibiscus, feverfew or combination thereof is added for health promotion/risk reduction (healthy aging, weight management, blood sugar health, heart health (cholesterol and bp reduction), joint health, immunity health, memory health and bone health).

[0127] In further specific embodiments, Nutritionally Premium Cola (NPC) is prepared in a processing plant with HACCP plan or HARPC plan in place with a method comprising the following steps: [0128] A. Mixing vitamin C (ascorbic acid), natural cola flavor and natural sweetener to form a uniform, smooth syrup or premix powder. Minimal water can also be added, if needed. [0129] B. If preferred, optional ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, caramel color, caffeine, potassium sorbate, functional ingredients are also added to the mixture. [0130] C. The resultant uniform, smooth syrup or premix powder is mixed with pre-filtered carbonated water (or with water to be carbonated later), at a predetermined ratio. [0131] D. If needed, the resultant NPC is optionally filtered through a 0.65 micron to 0.2 micron filter just prior to packaging. [0132] E. NPC is packaged. [0133] F. Packaged NPC is distributed preferably at refrigerated temperature. It will be stored and preferably offered in the refrigerated section of supermarkets.

[0134] In further specific embodiments, mixing vitamin C (ascorbic acid), natural dry cola flavor and natural sweetener to form a uniform, smooth premix powder is placed in a dispensing cap.

[0135] In further specific embodiments, Nutritionally Premium Cola is a safe, easy-to-use, economic and nutritionally desirable carbonated soft drink.

[0136] In further specific embodiments, the uniform, smooth premix can be packaged as effervescent tablet or effervescent powder.

[0137] Accordingly, it is the principal objective of the present invention to use nutritive and health promoting vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to formulate and produce Nutritionally Primum Cola (NPC). The present invention fulfills the aforesaid objective and provides further related advantages.

[0138] The following examples are included herein as exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Example 1 (NPCNo Calorie, Cola Flavor)

[0139] In a clean wide-mouth mixer, 1.5 grams vitamin C and water were mixed to almost a clear solution. Then, pre-weighed sodium bicarbonate was slowly added until all foam was generated and dissipated resulting in a clear solution without any foam. This optional step is to adjust the final pH of the cola to be less acidic. As the next step, pre-weighed monk fruit extract and natural liquid cola flavor were added to the mixture. Then, caramel color and caffeine were added to the above solution and gently mixed until a uniform, smooth black syrup was obtained which was immediately refrigerated. The yield was 10 grams syrup. As the next step, 10 grams syrup was added to 1 liter (1,000 grams) commercially available carbonated water and mixed (mixing ratio; 1 syrup:100 carbonated water) to obtain the NPCNo Calorie, Cola Flavor. In this example, ingredients except vitamin C, natural cola flavor and natural sweetener are optionally included in the formulation. As this prototype was prepared for immediate consumption, filtration was not carried out. Taste test was conducted by 2 experienced food science and nutrition experts with good results. pH of NPC was found to be 4.4. Nutrition Facts table and list of ingredients were subsequently prepared.

Example 2 (NPCNo Calorie, Cherry Cola Flavor)

[0140] In a clean wide-mouth mixer, 1.5 grams vitamin C and water were mixed to almost a clear solution. Then, pre-weighed sodium bicarbonate was slowly added until all foam was generated and dissipated resulting in a clear solution without any foam. This optional step is to adjust the final pH of the cola to be less acidic. As the next step, pre-weighed stevia leaf extract and natural liquid cola flavor and natural liquid cherry flavor were added to the mixture. Then, caramel color and caffeine were added to the above solution and gently mixed until a uniform, smooth black syrup was obtained which was immediately refrigerated. The yield was 10 grams syrup. As the next step, 10 grams syrup was added to 1 liter (1,000 grams) commercially available carbonated water and mixed (mixing ratio; 1 syrup:100 carbonated water) to obtain the NPCNo Calorie, Cherry Cola Flavor. In this example, ingredients except vitamin C, natural liquid cola and cherry flavors and natural sweetener are optionally included in the formulation. As this prototype was prepared for immediate consumption, filtration was not carried out. Taste test was conducted by 2 experienced food science and nutrition experts with good results. pH of NPC was found to be 4.4. Nutrition Facts table and list of ingredients were subsequently prepared.

Example 3 (NPCNo Calorie, Cola FlavorCaffeine Free)

[0141] In a clean wide-mouth mixer, 1.5 grams vitamin C and water were mixed to almost a clear solution. Then, pre-weighed sodium bicarbonate was slowly added until all foam was generated and dissipated resulting in a clear solution without any foam. This optional step is to adjust the final pH of the cola to be less acidic. As the next step, pre-weighed monk fruit extract, stevia leaf extract and natural liquid cola flavor were added to the mixture. Then, caramel color was added to the above solution and gently mixed until a uniform, smooth black syrup was obtained which was immediately refrigerated. The yield was 10 grams syrup. As the next step, 10 grams syrup was added to 1 liter (1,000 grams) commercially available carbonated water and mixed (mixing ratio; 1 syrup:100 carbonated water) to obtain the NPCNo Calorie Cola FlavorCaffeine Free. In this example, ingredients except vitamin C, natural cola flavor and natural sweetener are optionally included in the syrup. As this prototype was prepared for immediate consumption, filtration was not carried out. Taste test was conducted by 2 experienced food science and nutrition experts with good results. pH of NPC was found to be 4.4. Nutrition Facts table and list of ingredients were subsequently prepared.

Example 4 (NPCLow Calorie, Cola Flavor)

[0142] In a clean wide-mouth mixer, add pre-weighed sugar, 1.5 grams vitamin C, caramel color, acacia gum (gum Arabic), sodium bicarbonate (optional to adjust the final pH of the cola to be less acidic), natural dry cola flavor, stevia leaf extract and caffeine. Then, gently mix to a uniform, smooth beige powder. The yield was 45 grams premix. As the next step, 45 grams premix was added to 1 liter (1,000 grams) commercially available carbonated water and mixed (mixing ratio; 4.5 premix:100 carbonated water) to obtain the NPCLow Calorie, Cola Flavor. In this example, ingredients except vitamin C, natural cola flavor and natural sweetener are optionally included in the premix or syrup. As this prototype was prepared for immediate consumption, filtration was not carried out. Taste test was conducted by 2 experienced food science and nutrition experts with good results. pH of the NPC was found to be 4.3. Nutrition Facts table and list of ingredients were subsequently prepared.

[0143] Alternatively, pure water can be added to the premix to obtain 100 grams syrup and then add this syrup to carbonated water (mixing ratio; 10 syrup:100 carbonated water). It should be noted that premixes could be easily shipped without or with added sugar to bottlers who can add pre-weighed sugar (if not previously added) and water to convert premix into syrup. Premixes can also be directly used in new generation of fountain beverage dispenser where fountain dilutes a pre-determined quantity of premix (also called post-mix or beverage base) with carbonated water when dispensed.

Example 5 (NPCNo Calorie, CurcuminCola Flavor)

[0144] In a clean wide-mouth mixer, 1.5 grams vitamin C and pre-weighed dry natural cola flavor, monk fruit extract, sodium bicarbonate (optional step is to adjust the final pH of the cola to be less acidic), gum acacia (gum Arabic), curcumin, stevia leaf extract and caramel color were mixed until a uniform yellowish powder was obtained. The yield was 3.5 grams. As the next step, 3.5 grams powder was added to 1 liter (1,000 grams) commercially available carbonated water and mixed (mixing ratio; 0.35 powder:100 carbonated water) to obtain the NPCNo Calorie Curcumin Cola Flavor. In this example, ingredients except vitamin C, natural cola flavor natural sweetener and curcumin are optionally included in the powder. As this prototype was prepared for immediate consumption, filtration was not carried out. Taste test was conducted by 2 experienced food science and nutrition experts with good results. pH of the NPC was found to be 4.3. Nutrition Facts table and list of ingredients were subsequently prepared.

[0145] Although this invention has certain preferred embodiments, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and all such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.