JP7211881B2 - Beverages containing sodium, potassium, and citric acid - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to beverages containing electrolytes and organic acids. More particularly, it relates to a beverage containing an electrolyte capable of supplying sodium ions and potassium ions and containing citric acid as an organic acid.

In the past, heat stroke frequently occurred during exercise or work in a high-temperature environment, but due to the effects of the heat island phenomenon and global warming, the occurrence of heat stroke has recently increased in daily life. According to the website of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, it is desirable to drink about 1-2 cups of water every 20-30 minutes, and to take in not only water but also salt as a countermeasure against heatstroke.

Many sports drinks have been developed as salt-containing beverages. A sports drink is usually an acidic drink with a pH of 4.0 or less containing sweeteners and fruit juices. Beverages blended with sweeteners and/or fruit juices with a pH of 4.0 or less have moderate sweetness and sourness that mask tastes caused by minerals such as saltiness, and have a good balance of aftertaste, refreshing feeling, and ease of drinking. The palatability is improved (Patent Document 1). Various methods for further improving the palatability of sodium-containing acidic beverages such as sports drinks have been proposed. For example, a beverage in which sodium-derived sliminess and bitterness are reduced by containing a specific amount of lauric acid (Patent Document 2), and by using sucralose and monk fruit extract as sweeteners, astringency caused by inorganic electrolytes, Beverage with reduced undesirable taste such as saltiness and bitterness (Patent Document 3), fruit juice equivalent to 4 to 6°Bx, and 1 or 2 selected from sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium gluconate, and sodium ascorbate There are sports drinks containing 0.005 to 0.1% by weight of sodium derived from the above sodium salts (Patent Document 4). In addition, a method for reducing the harsh taste of beverages containing polyphenols derived from Camellia sinensis using an organic acid has been reported (Patent Document 5). Furthermore, by setting the tannin concentration, sodium concentration, and chloride ion concentration to a specific ratio, a black tea beverage that satisfies palatability even when sodium is contained has been reported (Patent Document 6).

JP 2015-211652 A JP 2016-007149 A WO2010/050510 JP 2013-94125 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-239908 JP 2016-96729 A

Among beverages containing salts such as sodium, beverages such as sports drinks containing sweeteners contain sugar, which poses a problem that it is difficult for people who are conscious of health promotion to take them every day. In addition, since acidic drinks such as sports drinks have a sweet or sour taste, there is also the problem that it is difficult to drink them all at once, and they easily get tired of drinking them. However, if a beverage containing a high concentration of sodium is made with less sweetness and sourness, the salty taste caused by sodium cannot be masked by the sweetness and sourness, so the salty taste is strong and the beverage is difficult to drink. There is a problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage that contains a high concentration of sodium, is approximately neutral (pH 5.0 to 7.0), and has high drinkability.

As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors found that the salty taste of sodium-containing beverages can be reduced by adding specific amounts of citric acid and potassium to sodium-containing beverages. The present invention has been completed. The present invention relates to, but is not limited to, the following.
[1] Containing an electrolyte and an organic acid, the following (i) to (iv):
(i) sodium concentration is 20-80 mg/100 ml;
(ii) the chloride ion concentration is 30 mg/100 ml or less;
(iii) potassium concentration is 5-30 mg/100 ml;
(iv) a beverage having a citric acid concentration of 10-200 mg/100 ml, and (v) a pH of 5.0-7.0.
[2] The beverage according to [1], wherein the content ratio of citric acid to sodium is 0.2 to 4.5.
[3] The beverage according to [1] or [2], which has a sweetness of less than 3.00.

According to the present invention, as a countermeasure against heatstroke and during exercise (including light exercise), it is not strong in sweetness and sourness, and has a moderately salty taste, and can be drunk at once. It is possible to provide a beverage with high drinkability (that can be gulped down).

(sodium)
The beverage of the present invention is useful as a countermeasure against heat stroke and for replenishing water and sodium during light exercise, and contains a high concentration of sodium. Examples of the method of adding sodium to a beverage include a method of adding sodium salt to the beverage. The sodium salt may be any sodium salt that is drinkable, such as sodium chloride, disodium citrate, trisodium citrate, sodium L-ascorbate, sodium gluconate, sodium L-aspartate, sodium benzoate, Sodium bicarbonate, trisodium phosphate and the like can be used, but are not particularly limited to these. Disodium citrate, trisodium citrate, sodium L-ascorbate and sodium gluconate are preferably used. In particular, disodium citrate and trisodium citrate are preferably used because they can serve as a source of citric acid, which will be described later.

The concentration of sodium in the beverage of the invention is 20-80 mg/100 ml. If the sodium concentration is too low, it is insufficient to replace the water and salt lost through perspiration. The lower limit of sodium concentration is preferably 22 mg/100 ml or more, more preferably 24 mg/100 ml or more. Also, if the sodium concentration is too high, the effects of the present invention are difficult to achieve, so the sodium concentration is set to 80 mg/100 ml or less. It is preferably 70 mg/100 ml or less, more preferably 60 mg/100 ml or less. Incidentally, the sodium concentration in the beverage can be analyzed using an atomic absorption photometer. Moreover, when it mix|blended as a sodium salt, it can be calculated as content of a sodium element.

(Chloride ion)
According to studies by the present inventors, a high concentration of chloride ions (Cl ⁻ ) in a beverage enhances the salty taste of sodium, making it difficult to obtain the effects of the present invention. It is important to control the content of chloride ions in the beverage of the present invention to 30 mg/100 ml or less. The content of chloride ions in the beverage of the present invention is preferably 25 mg/100 ml or less, more preferably 20 mg/100 ml or less, particularly preferably 15 mg/100 ml or less, and even more preferably 10 mg/100 ml or less. As an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a beverage containing no chlorides such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride as the source of sodium and potassium can be mentioned. The chloride ion concentration in the beverage can be analyzed by silver nitrate titration. Moreover, when it mix|blended as a chloride, it can calculate as content of the chlorine element in a chloride.

(potassium)
The beverage of the present invention is characterized by the use of potassium along with citric acid to reduce the strong salty taste due to high concentrations of sodium. Methods for incorporating potassium into beverages include, for example, a method of adding to beverages in the form of potassium salts, a method of adding potassium hydroxide to beverages, and a method of adding highly water-dispersible potassium-rich food ingredients to beverages. A method of adding can be mentioned. As the potassium salt, any potable potassium salt can be used. For example, potassium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, potassium acetate, etc. can be used. Not limited.

In the present invention, a method of adding potassium to a beverage using a food material containing a large amount of potassium, which is excellent in water dispersibility, is preferably used because the content of chloride ions can be easily controlled. Examples of food ingredients containing a large amount of potassium with excellent water dispersibility include, but are not limited to, plant extracts such as tea extracts, kelp extracts, cacao extracts, vegetable juices or fruit juices, soy milk, and milk. can be done. Among these, plant extracts are preferred, and tea extracts are particularly preferred, since the effects of the present invention may be difficult to perceive if carbohydrates or lipids are contained. However, extracts of herbal medicines such as kudzu root, kudzu flower, carrot, turmeric, chimpi, licorice, and angelica root contain high concentrations of sodium. When used in combination with, the unpleasant odor and taste peculiar to herbal medicines are enhanced, so it is not suitable for use in the beverage of the present invention.

The content of potassium in the beverage of the present invention is 5-30 mg/100 ml. If the potassium content is less than the above range, a sufficient synergistic effect may not be obtained when combined with citric acid. On the other hand, when the potassium content is more than the above range, the bitterness and aftertaste of potassium become strong, and the salty taste of sodium is enhanced, so that the effects of the present invention may not be obtained sufficiently. The lower limit of potassium content is preferably 7 mg/100 ml or more, more preferably 9 mg/100 ml or more, and the upper limit of potassium content is preferably 25 mg/100 ml or less, more preferably 22 mg/100 ml or less. Incidentally, the potassium concentration in the beverage can be analyzed using an atomic absorption photometer. Moreover, when it mix|blended as a potassium salt, it can be calculated as content of a potassium element.

(citric acid)
As noted above, the present invention features the use of potassium along with citric acid to reduce the strong saltiness of high sodium concentrations. In the present invention, the method of adding citric acid to the beverage includes, for example, a method of adding citric acid or a salt thereof, a method of adding a citric acid-containing food raw material to the beverage, and the like. As citrates, sodium salts, potassium salts, and magnesium salts, which are chemically highly safe, are preferable. Furthermore, citric acid, which is inexpensive, readily available, and considered to be highly safe based on past dietary experience, is one of them. Sodium, trisodium citrate, monopotassium citrate, tripotassium citrate, magnesium citrate, and the like are preferable, and trisodium citrate, tripotassium citrate, and magnesium citrate are preferably used because they are particularly easy to adjust pH. preferable. Among them, trisodium citrate is preferably used because sodium can be blended at the same time. In the present invention, both anhydrides and hydrates of citric acid and its salts can be used. Citric acid-containing food raw materials include, for example, fruit juices such as lemon juice and orange juice, vinegar, and the like.

The beverage of the present invention contains citric acid at a concentration of 10-200 mg/100 ml. If the citric acid content is less than the above range, a sufficient effect of improving the salty taste of sodium cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if the citric acid content is more than the above range, the acidity peculiar to citric acid becomes strong, which may affect the flavor of the beverage. Citric acid concentration in beverages can be analyzed using HPLC. The lower limit of the citric acid content is preferably 15 mg/100 ml or more. The upper limit of the citric acid content is preferably 150 mg/100 ml or less, more preferably 100 mg/100 ml or less. The citric acid concentration in the beverage can be analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using ion exclusion chromatography as a separation mode. Further, when blended as citric acid and/or citrate, the concentration can be calculated as converted to citric acid.

Also, the ratio of the content of citric acid to sodium (citric acid/sodium) is preferably 0.2 to 4.5, more preferably 0.3 to 4.0, and 0.4 to 3.2 is more preferable. Within this range, the acidity due to citric acid is less likely to be perceived, and the salty taste of sodium can be effectively reduced.
(drink)
The beverage of the present invention provides a new heat stroke countermeasure beverage that is substantially neutral to diversifying consumer tastes. The “substantially neutral” beverage as used herein is specifically a neutral beverage having a pH (20° C.) of 5.0 to 7.0. If the pH is less than 5.0, the salty taste of sodium can be masked by the sour taste, so the problem of the present invention is difficult to develop. Moreover, when the pH exceeds 7.0, even if a predetermined amount of citric acid of the present invention is used, a sufficient effect for improving the salty taste of sodium cannot be obtained. Dissolved carbon dioxide in the beverage becomes carbonate ions (CO ₃ ²⁻ ), which may cause spillage when the bottle is opened when the beverage is a packaged beverage. The pH adjustment of the beverage can be appropriately performed using a pH adjuster such as sodium hydrogen carbonate or sodium hydroxide. Beverage pH can be easily measured using a commercially available pH meter.

The present invention solves the problem that is notably manifested in low-sweetness beverages that are preferably not blended with sweeteners. As an example of a preferred embodiment of the beverage of the present invention, a "low-sweetness beverage", i.e., a sweetness index of less than 3.00 (preferably less than 2.00, more preferably less than 1.00, and further preferably less than 0.50). The degree of sweetness is an index representing the intensity of relative sweetness when the sweetness of a sucrose solution is set to 1. The sweetness of the beverage is calculated by converting the content of each sweetening component into the equivalent amount of sucrose based on the relative ratio of the sweetness of the sweetening component to the sweetness of sucrose 1, then It is obtained by totaling the sucrose sweetness conversion amount of the sweetening components (including sweetening components derived from fruit juices, extracts, etc.). Table 1 shows the relative sweetness ratio of various representative sweetening ingredients to the sweetness of sucrose. For sweetening ingredients not listed in Table 1, the sweetness presented by the manufacturer who manufactures or sells the sweetening ingredient can be used, or the sweetness can be determined by sensory evaluation.

In the beverages of the present invention, sweetening ingredients can be used to adjust the sweetness of the beverage. As the sweetening component, for example, the sweetening components listed in Table 1 can be used, but other sweetening components may be used, and fruit juice containing sugars such as fructose may be used. A beverage with a sweetness of 0, that is, a beverage containing no sweetening component is an example of the most preferred embodiment of the beverage of the present invention.

Another preferred embodiment is a beverage having a Brix of less than 4.0 as an index of soluble solids such as sugars. Beverages with a low Brix of less than 4.0 do not contain masking agents such as sweeteners such as saccharides, and are usually beverages in which the salty taste of sodium is perceived remarkably. You can control the salty taste. The Brix of the beverage of the present invention is more preferably less than 3.0, more preferably less than 2.0, even more preferably less than 1.0, and particularly preferably less than 0.8. Brix value is a value obtained by converting the refractive index measured at 20 ° C. into mass / mass percent of sucrose solution based on the conversion table of ICUMSA (International Commission for the Analysis of Sugar). It can be measured using a refractometer or the like. The unit is "°Bx", "%" or "degree".

Furthermore, another preferred embodiment is a beverage containing less than 0.5 g/100 ml of protein and lipid. Proteins and lipids may enhance the salty taste of sodium, making it difficult to obtain the effects of the present invention. Here, the protein is the value measured by the nitrogen quantitative conversion method, and the lipid is the value measured by the acid decomposition method using diethyl ether.

In the beverage of the present invention, if the amount of polyphenols in the beverage is large, the acrid taste caused by the polyphenols becomes strong, making it difficult to perceive the effects of the present invention. The polyphenol content in the beverage is preferably 65 mg/100 mg or less, more preferably 60 mg/100 mg or less, even more preferably 50 mg/100 mg or less, and particularly preferably 45 mg/100 mg or less. . Here, polyphenol means a component having a plurality of phenolic hydroxyl groups in the molecule, and refers to the value analyzed by the Folin-Ciocalteu method.

In addition, the beverage of the present invention may contain various additives in the same manner as in ordinary beverages, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to experimental examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, in this specification, unless otherwise stated, numerical ranges are described as including their endpoints. In this example, the amount of each component in the beverage was measured by the following method.

[Measurement of sodium and potassium]
2 to 5 g of the sample was placed in an extraction container, 200 mL of a 1% hydrochloric acid solution was added, and shake extraction was performed at room temperature for 30 minutes. The extract was transferred to a centrifugal tube and centrifuged, and the supernatant was used as a test solution for measurement. The measurement wavelength of the atomic absorption photometer is set to sodium: 589 nm, potassium: 766.5 nm, and the absorbance of the test solution for measurement is detected, and the concentration of the test solution is obtained based on the calibration curve based on the standard substance concentration prepared in advance. rice field.

[Measurement of chloride ion]
After adding 1 g of 0.01 mol / L hydrochloric acid to 5 g of the sample, it was diluted to 50 g with ion-exchanged water to make a test solution for measurement, and the mol specified in the "water supply test method" (2011 edition Japan Water Works Association) It was analyzed by a method based on the silver nitrate titration method according to the method. Quantification of chloride ions in the test solution for measurement was calculated from the difference from the blank measurement to which only hydrochloric acid was added.

[Measurement of citric acid]
The sample was diluted with pure water, filtered through a membrane filter, and subjected to HPLC analysis. Analysis conditions were as follows:
・Column: Shodex RSpak KC-811 (8.0mmI.D.×300mm)
・Mobile phase: 10mmol/L phosphoric acid ・Flow rate: 0.5mL/min
・Detection wavelength: UV (210 nm)
・Column temperature: 40℃ Sample injection volume: 40μL
・Injection volume: 20 μL.

[Measurement of protein]
Based on "1 Protein (1) Nitrogen Quantitative Conversion Method" described in "3rd Revised Fast Nutrition Labeling Standards" (supervised by the New Development Food Health Research Institute, Chuo Hoki Publishing Co., Ltd.), the nitrogen/protein conversion factor is set to 6.25. It was measured.

[Measurement of lipid]
The amount of lipid was determined by the acidolysis method. After weighing 1 g of a sample and adding hydrochloric acid to decompose it, diethyl ether and petroleum ether were added and mixed with stirring. The ether mixture layer was taken out and washed with water. After distilling off the solvent and drying, the weight was measured to determine the amount of lipid.

[Measurement of polyphenol]
Absorbance at a wavelength of 725 nm was measured using a foreign reagent and an absorptiometer (UV-1600 (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation)), and the amount of polyphenol was calculated from the measured value.

[Measurement of pH]
The pH was measured using a pH meter (F21, manufactured by HORIBA) after the temperature of the sample was adjusted to 20°C.

Experiment 1: Evaluation of citric acid (1)
Various sodium salts shown in Table 2 were dissolved in 1 L of pure water (pH 7.0) to prepare sodium-containing beverages (sodium content: 35 mg/100 ml). Sensory evaluation was carried out on these samples (10° C.) by a panel of five skilled people. In the sensory evaluation, whether or not a salty taste or rough taste remained after drinking was evaluated for "bad aftertaste (aftertaste disgust)", and the scale was 5 points: considerable, 4 points: yes, and 3 points. : Slightly present, 2 points: Slightly present, 1 point: Absent, five grades were set. In addition, after each of the 5 panelists conducted the evaluation on the bad aftertaste, all the panel members discussed and decided the evaluation. ○), and 2.0 points or less were evaluated as preferable (⊚).

Table 2 shows the results. It was suggested that the use of sodium organic acid tends to leave less aftertaste, especially that gluconic acid, citric acid and ascorbic acid are less likely to leave aftertaste.

Experiment 2: Evaluation of citric acid (2)
Sodium-containing beverages with different chloride ion concentrations and citric acid concentrations were prepared by dissolving the sodium salts of the formulations shown in Table 3 in 1 L of pure water. The pH at 20°C was within the range of 5.0 to 7.0 for all samples, and the sweetness was less than 3.00. Sensory evaluation was carried out on these samples (10° C.) by a panel of five skilled people. For the sensory evaluation, the sample 2-1 was used as a control drink, and whether or not the “salty taste” felt in the control drink was reduced was an evaluation item. Degree, +: effective (less salty than the control drink), ++: very effective (extremely less salty than the control drink), four levels were set. In addition, after each of the 5 panelists evaluated the strength of the salty taste, the evaluation was decided through discussion among the entire panel. Table 3 shows the results. It was suggested that salty taste can be reduced by adding citric acid to a beverage containing a high concentration of sodium.

Experiment 3: Evaluation of citric acid and potassium (1)
Sodium-containing beverages (sodium content: about 40 mg/100 ml) with different citric acid and potassium concentrations were prepared by dissolving the sodium salts and potassium salts of the formulations shown in Table 4 in 1 L of pure water. The pH at 20°C was within the range of 5.0 to 7.0 for all samples, and the sweetness was less than 3.00. These samples (10° C.) were sensory evaluated by a panel of five skilled people. The sensory evaluation is about "salty taste" and "sour taste" at the time of drinking and after-drinking salty, sour and miscellaneous tastes, that is, "bad aftertaste (aftertaste aversion)", 4 points: strongly felt, 3 points: slightly A four-point scale was set: feel, 2 points: almost do not feel, 1 point: do not feel. In addition, after five panelists implemented evaluation individually, it discussed and decided by all the panelists. As a comprehensive evaluation, when any evaluation was 2 points or less, it was evaluated as pass (○), and among them, those with 1 point or less in two or more items were evaluated as particularly preferable (⊚). In addition, when both the salty taste and the bad aftertaste (aftertaste disgust) were 3 points or more, they were evaluated as "x", and when none of the above was applicable, they were evaluated as "triangle".

Table 4 shows the results. Even if a beverage containing no citric acid (Sample 3-1) contains potassium, the strong salty taste does not change (Sample 3-3). It was found to be even less salty than the potassium-free beverage (Sample 3-2). The potassium concentration showing synergy with this citric acid was about 5 to 30 mg/100 ml.

Experiment 4: Evaluation of citric acid and potassium (2)
The beverage of Sample 3-3 of Experiment 3 was mixed with citric acid having the formulation shown in Table 5, and an appropriate small amount of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added dropwise as a pH adjuster to adjust the pH to 6.5 to 7.0, and citric acid was added. Sodium-containing beverages with different concentrations (sodium content: 40 mg/100 ml) were prepared (Samples 4-1 to 4-9). Also, the amounts of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid were adjusted as shown in Tables 5 and 6, and various beverages were prepared in the same manner (Samples 4-10 to 4-20). All samples had a sweetness of less than 3.00. Sensory evaluation was performed in the same manner as in Experiment 3 for these samples (10° C.).

Tables 5 and 6 show the results. When the citric acid content in the beverage was 10 mg/100 ml or more, the beverage was almost free from the salty taste of sodium and the aversive aftertaste. When the citric acid content was 220 mg/100 ml, it had the effect of reducing the salty taste, but the aftertaste became rough, and when the citric acid content was 400 mg/100 ml, the sour taste became strong. From this, it was found that the effective amount of citric acid to reduce the salty taste of sodium is 10-200 mg/100 ml.

Experiment 5: Effect of Sodium Concentration Sodium-containing beverages were prepared in the same manner as in Experiment 4, except that the formulations shown in Tables 7 and 8 were used, and sensory evaluation was performed. All samples had a sweetness of less than 3.00. For the sensory evaluation, a drink containing no citric acid and potassium was used as a control, and a relative evaluation was made for drinks containing approximately the same amount of sodium (evaluation criteria were the same as in Experiment 2). The results are shown in Tables 7 and 8. By containing specific amounts of citric acid and potassium in each drink with a sodium content of about 58 mg / 100 ml (samples 5-1 to 5-6) and 24 mg / 100 ml (samples 5-7 to 5-12), The salty taste of sodium could be effectively reduced.

Claims (3)

Containing an electrolyte and an organic acid, the following (i) to (v):
(i) sodium concentration is 20-80 mg/100 ml;
(ii) the chloride ion concentration is 10 mg/100 ml or less;
(iii) potassium concentration is 5-30 mg/100 ml;
(iv) the citric acid concentration is 10-200 mg/100 ml, the content ratio of citric acid to sodium is 0.2-4.5 , and (v) the pH is 5.0-7.0. Beverage that satisfies you. 2. The beverage of claim 1 , having a sweetness of less than 3.00. 3. The beverage according to claim 1 or 2, which does not contain a sweetener.