Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Product with added vitamin or derivative thereof for...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-18
2003-02-04
Pratt, Helen (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Product with added vitamin or derivative thereof for...
C426S074000, C426S590000, C426S591000, C426S656000, C426S658000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06514544
ABSTRACT:
This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/AT99/00282 filed Nov. 19, 1999, which claims priority to Austrian Application No. A 1934/98 filed Nov. 19, 1998.
The invention relates to a fructose-containing refreshing drink composition for increasing the alcohol degradation capacity of the body.
The invention further relates to a refreshing drink, a syrup as well as a dry substance for increasing the alcohol degradation capacity of the body.
The resorption of alcohol (ethanol) is effected both from the stomach and from the intestines. As a rule, the resorption is completed within approximately one hour, in the sober state, however, somewhat earlier, and it may be somewhat delayed in case the stomach/intestines is (are) very full. Based on the oil/water distribution quotient of 0.04, the alcohol is rapidly distributed within the body fluid. Because of this rapid concentration equalization, the alcohol level in blood is considered to be representative of the concentration of the alcohol in the central nervous system (CNS), the essential site of effect.
Approximately 2-3% of the reabsorbed alcohol are excreted via the lungs, approximately 1-2% via the kidneys. The main amount, however, is metabolized in the liver. When this occurs, ethyl alcohol is oxidized by alcohol-dehydrogenase (ADH) to acetaldehyde. The enzyme ADH carries zinc as catalytic center and is NADH-dependent. Besides this, however, small portions of the alcohol are also oxidized to acetaldehyde and acetic acid, respectively, via the P450-dependent enzyme system of the monooxygenases. Slight amounts (0.5%) are directly glucuronated, traces are coupled to sulfuric acid and excreted with the urine. The acetaldehyde formed by ADH is further oxidized to acetic acid by the enzyme aldehyde-dehydrogenase. The acetic acid thus incurred is partly used in the intermediary metabolism via activation of coenzyme A, yet the major portion of the acetic acid is cleaved in the tricarboxylic acid cylcle into CO
2
and H
2
O. One gram of ethanol yields 7.1 kcal (approximately 30 kJ) and thus may also serve as partial energy source.
A refreshing drink for lowering the alcohol level in blood has been described in EP 0 205 634 A or in DE-C1 4 431 178, and it contains water, fructose, ascorbic acid and flavoring agents and/or citric acid and/or quinine. The alcohol degradation-accelerating activity of fructose has long been known, the addition of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) acts degradation-promoting.
Furthermore, a beverage for accelerating the degradation of alcohol within the body is known from the article “Alko-Killer”, p. 44 of the periodical “PRAXIS”, No. 8-9/98. In addition to fructose and vitamin C, this beverage contains the coenzymes AND+/NADH (nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide). AND+/NADH are coenzymes to which the hydrogen is transferred which forms during the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde by the alcohol-dehydrogenase. Alcohol-dehydrogenase is an enzyme which metabolizes in the liver 90% of the ethanol consumed. By the addition of the coenzymes AND+/NADH to the beverage, the content of these coenzymes rises in the body by consuming the beverage, and thus also the alcohol degradation rate increases. What is disadvantageous in this connection is that AND+ is decomposed, even at 4° C., and NADH is decomposed in acidic and aqueous solutions to form dehydrogenase inhibitors, which, however, interferes with the alcohol degradation in the liver. So, if this drink is stored for an extended period of time (even at 4° C. in the refrigerator), it loses its activity or may even have an opposite effect.
WO 87 01285 A discloses a therapeutical composition for the treatment of acute and/or chronic symptoms occurring in connection with excessive alcohol consumption. This composition comprises an analgesic as well as nicotin amide and/or AND. The composition optionally may also comprise fructose, water-soluble vitamins, an antazide, an electrolyte substitue, such as potassium, sodium, magnesium or calcium, trace metals, such as zinc ions, an antihistaminic component, alkaloids, caffeine and further additives, such as flavoring agents and sweeteners. For the effect of the composition it is of particular importance that the nicotinic amide and the AND, respectively, be added to at least 7% by weight of the analgesics. Analgesics are pain killers, the more potent ones being potentially addictive for patients, and the weaker analgesics causing side reactions, such as reducing the production of the mucosa of the stomach and of the intestines. The ingestion of a composition having relatively strong side effects is not suitable for treating symptoms of an excessive alcohol consumption, and in persons who frequently take this composition it may cause damage to their health.
CN 1 090 146 A discloses a health drink which, i.a., comprises water-soluble vitamin B, fructose, trace elements, vitamin A, vitamin C, amino acids and counteracts the residual toxicity of alcohol.
In KR 9 500 456 B1 a beverage against the effects of alcohol has been described, this beverage i.a. comprising 1-10% of fructose and 0.05-0.5% of vitamin B2 as well as a filtrate of a fermentation with lactiacid-producing bacteria. Fermentation is performed under special conditions (30-40° C., pH 9-9.5, 50-100 h). The production of this beverage is comparatively complex, which as a rule will also affect the price of the beverage.
JP 61162159 A discloses a beverage for accelerating the reduction of alcohol in blood, the beverage comprising fructose, vitamin c and quinine or quinine derivatives.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refreshing drink composition which markedly accelerates the alcohol degradation rate within the body—also as compared to fructose (vitamin C) mixtures, without, however, adding enzymes or NADH+/AND, respectively, so that thus the useful life of the product will not be restricted. Furthermore, the composition shall not comprise any substances that cause side effects damaging health by a frequent consumption thereof. A further object of the present invention is to provide a refreshing drink, a syrup and a dry substance having these properties.
The refreshing drink composition of the initially defined kind is characterized in that it comprises one or more components of the vitamin B complex as well as taurine in addition to fructose. Surprisingly, in this manner the rate of the alcohol degradation within the body can very effectively be increased, preferably by at least 45% (cf. the examples). The fructose added may be provided in any form known, and it may also be phosphorylated. The composition according to the invention has a high stability and thus is storable over an extended period of time.
As the vitamin B complex, all water-soluble vitamins with the exception of vitamin C are defined. In many cases, they are components of coenzymes (cf. below) which are active in redox reactions and thus directly and indirectly promote the reaction of the alcohol dehydrogenase. Particularly the activation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle by the vitamins of the B complex is an essential characteristic of the present invention, because it has been found that by the activation of the citrate cycle also the alcohol degradation rate can decisively be increased.
Taurine is the name of 2-aminoethane sulfonic acid, and it occurs in nearly all mammal species. Taurine plays an important role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS) and influences transportation procedures of divalent metal ions, e.g. as calcium, magnesium and zinc modulator. Taurine moreover acts as inhibiting neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. Relatively high concentrations of taurine are found in the CNS, in the retina and in the heart. It has been shown that taurine deficits may be involved in epilepsy, mongolism, diminished visual acuity and cardiac dysrhythmias. The taurine excretion is controlled by the kidneys, a taurine deficiency possibly leading to an abnormal development of the brain.
Surprisingly, it could also be show
Fuchs Norbert
Wallner Reinhard
JHS-Privatstiftung
Pratt Helen
LandOfFree
Beverage for increasing the body's capacity to break... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Beverage for increasing the body's capacity to break..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Beverage for increasing the body's capacity to break... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3135995