The subject of the invention is an isotonic beverage with chelates in the form of a liquid, semi-liquid suspension, or a solid improving water-electrolyte balance and allowing hydration of a human body, intended especially for active individuals and sportsmen, exerting strenuous physical effort.

Drinking suitable drinks by sportsmen before, during, and after a strenuous physical effort, especially during training, is an important issue since even little physical effort is accompanied with a loss of elements important for health such as potassium, sodium, calcium and chloride ions. Electrolytic balance disorders frequently lead to decreased resistance of a human body to physical effort. In order to solve problems related to the electrolytic balance of a human body it is necessary to drink suitable beverages with well-balanced content of electrolytes and osmotic pressure adjusted to the human body fluids. They can be avoided by immediate replenishment of these fluid thereby limiting the dehydration of human body.

The studies on the diet of different social groups carried out also by National Food and Nutrition Institute in Warsaw have revealed too low consumption of mineral nutrients: calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and copper while the content of sodium and phosphorus in the diet was found to be too high. This is directly related to the high processing degree of food available on the market, which is rich in refined carbohydrates and saturated unhealthy fats. Moreover, low consumption of vegetables and fruits rich in microelements aggravates nutrient deficiencies. Without doubt dietary supplements are needed not only by sportsmen. The problem in their use is low absorption of the most popular inorganic mineral nutrients. Living organisms are not able to absorb inorganic minerals in their natural form. In order to utilize an inorganic microelement, a living organism must transform it into an organic biological form, which can be easily assimilated. Therefore, in human gastrointestinal tract a process has to take place of chemical binding of inorganic mineral molecules into organic compounds which can later be absorbed and utilized. This process is called chelation and its product is called a chelate. Unfortunately, the environment of the gastrointestinal tract is not an ideal place for efficient natural chelation process to occur. There are many factors which interfere with this process, therefore it is very inefficient. First, very often there is no sufficient amount of proper organic nutrients, therefore the inorganic mineral is not absorbed. There are very many chemical compounds interfering with the natural chelation process, for example some minerals in inorganic form which mutually prevent their absorption. Moreover, minerals in inorganic form are very unstable chemically. In acidic pH of stomach and duodenum they dissociate into ions, which very often are bound into harmful compounds causing irritation of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The reaction of further segments of the gastrointestinal tract, where the actual absorption of all nutrients takes place, changes into basic (pH increases). In such an environment the inorganic minerals precipitate in the form of poorly soluble salts, which cannot be absorbed. This is often manifested as stomach pain and constipations like in the case of iron sulphate. The scientists for many years have been working on a method allowing increased efficiency of the absorption of mineral compounds from oral supplements.

A beverage for sportsmen was described in Pat. No. US 0587972A1 containing minerals of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, wherein at least a half of sodium mineral is sodium citrate, sodium chloride or their mixture, at least of a half of magnesium mineral is carbonate salt soluble in the aqueous solution of citric acid and malic acid, and at least a half of potassium mineral is potassium citrate. Moreover, this beverage optionally contains a supplement of ascorbic acid and 1 - 14wt% of fruit juice as a source of sugar. Apple and grape juices or their mixture are used as a fruit juice and pH of this beverage is

A formulation is described in Pat.No. US 1252781 for limiting dehydration and fatigue during physical exercise, for the replacement of fluids, salts and minerals lost during intensive physical activity which contains from 16 to 26 meq Na ⁺ , from 1.5 to 4.7 meq K ⁺ , from 11.9 to 19.9 meq CI ^" , from 4.1 to 10.1 meq PO ₄ ^3" and from 30 to 60 g of glucose per liter of this beverage, or containing 0.85 g of NaCl, 0.15 g of NaH ₂ P0 ₄ , 0.15 g of KH ₂ P0 ₄ , 0.10 g of KC1, 0.15 g of NaHC0 ₃ and 5 g of glucose per liter of the beverage, while a solution based on these formulas contains also absorbed C0 ₂ and shows pH below 3.0.

An isotonic fruit beverage for children is described in Pat.No. US 2000/0132034A1 containing water, electrolytes, at least 7 wt% of a source of the carbohydrate, a source of calcium, Vitamin C, showing 300 - 380 Osm/kg and pH of 3.0 - 4.5, wherein the fruit juice constitutes from 8 to 12 wt%, total carbohydrate content is 5 - 7 wt%, electrolyte content is from 60 to 250 mg/1 of sodium and about 60 to about 150 mg/1 of potassium, pH is from 3.5 to 4.2, and osmolarity is from 340 to 370 Osm/kg.

A rehydration drink described in Pat.No. US 5397786 is a beverage for the treatment and prevention of the loss of electrolytes important for a human body in the case of dehydration. According to this invention creatine, Vitamin B, panthotenic acid and choline together with the addition of numerous salt such as MgC0 ₃ , CaC0 ₃ , and

85 magnesium aspartate as supplements containing important energetic components have a function of energy enhancers.

On the other hand the isotonic beverage, known under the trade name "Gatorade" preventing dehydration of the body during physical exercise taking place at high temperature and at high moisture in the air,

90 is composed of a mixture of carbohydrates in the form of a 6% solution and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. It contains 6 g of a protein, 52 mg of sodium, 47 mg of chlorides, 12 mg of potassium, and 5 mg of magnesium in 100 ml of this beverage.

The purpose of the invention is to develop such a qualitative and

95 quantitative composition of an isotonic beverage with highly absorptive chelated minerals, which could allow significant improvement of the electrolyte balance of the human body and that would fulfil the fundamental requirement of normal interaction with human body, i.e. having the osmotic pressure of the body fluids from 275 to 295

100 mOsm/kg. Further goal of the invention is the development of such a formula of an isotonic beverage, which will be able to be produced both in the form of a liquid and a powdered concentrate soluble in water, which will play a function of both rehydrating beverage during increased physical effort and sport activity, and which will provide very

105 effective replenishment of the lacking mineral nutrients lost during the exercise, allowing normal function of the body.

The isotonic beverage with chelates of the current invention contains more than 0.1 wt% of the mineral components in the form of the chelates of amino acid minerals, preferably bisglycinates and

110 glycinates, from 0.1 to 50 wt% of isomaltulose, up to 15 wt% of L- carnitine and/or its derivatives, 5 to 84% of carbohydrates, up to 50 wt% of bioactive substances, up to 50 wt% of flavouring substances, up to 80 wt% of polyalcohols, diluents, tableting aids, stabilizers, antioxidants and dyes and 0.013 - 25% wt% of sweeteners, while its osmolarity is

115 275 - 295 mOsm/kg and pH is 2-5. As mineral components in the form of bisglycinates, the beverage contains magnesium and/or calcium and/or potassium glycinate, and preferably contains also glycinates of zinc, iron, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, copper and/or selenium.

120 Besides, as mineral components organic and/or inorganic substances are used or as mineral components preferably used are chelates of aminoacids other than glycine, preferably L-arginine, L- methionine, L-lysine, and L-asparagine acid. In this beverage glucose and/or f uctose, sucrose or isomaltulose function as carbohydrates, 125 whereas as bioactive substances used are magnesium creatine chelate, oligopeptides, preferably glutamine peptide, proteins, preferably whey protein isolate, caffeine, salt, taurine, theanine, unsaturated fatty acids, preferably omega 3-6-9 fatty acids, astaxanthin, ubiquinone, preferably coenzyme Q10, hydroxymethyl butyrate (HMB), vegetable and fruit

130 extracts, preferably green tea extract, ginseng extract, citrus fruit extract or other active substances, preferably chemical compounds showing physiological action.

Moreover, as flavouring substances used are synthetic, synthetic- natural substances, or natural substances in the form of a liquid, powder,

135 emulsion or seasoning, preferably grapefruit juice concentrate or cherry juice concentrate, orange juice concentrate, orange flavour, pineapple flavour, apple flavour, lemon flavour, pineapple-strawberry seasoning and forest fruit flavour, preferably raspberry-blackberry flavour, whereas as stabilizers used are Gum Arabic, guar, carrageen gum,

140 cellulose gum, xanthan gum, glycerol esters and vegetable resin, and as antioxidants preferably citric acid or sodium citrate or calcium lactate or ascorbic acid or calcium ascorbate are used.

Additionally, the beverage contains dyes, preferably brilliant green and/or quinoline yellow or Allura Red, or brilliant blue, or

145 ammonia caramel, or preservatives, preferably sodium benzoate and/or potassium sorbate, as well as sweeteners such as liquid glucose and crystalline sugar or sugar powder, or aspartame and/or acesulphame K and/or cyclamic acid and its salts and/or saccharin or its salts and/or sucralose. The isotonic beverage of the current invention contains also

150 polyalcohols, preferably sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and erithritol, and diluents, preferably fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol or erithritol, as well as anti-caking agents, preferably magnesium stearate and colloidal silica and vitamins, preferably vitamin premix composed of Vitamin A, ^' C, Bi, B ₂ , B<5, Bi2, and H, panthotenic acid, Vitamin D and E, niacin, and

155 folic acid. This beverage has the form of an instant powder for dissolution in water or a liquid solution.

The basic advantage of the isotonic beverage of the current invention is its versatile action depending on the formula applied, namely the beverage containing L-carnitine, Sinetrol, HMB, and green

160 extract tea as basic components enhances weight loss, while that containing Q10 (ubiquinone), grape extract, L-carnitine, and astaxanthin enhances heart beat. Furthermore, the isotonic beverage containing green tea extract, grape extract, bisglycinates of zinc, manganese and copper as basic components of the formula may function as

165 antioxidative beverage, that containing extracts of aloe and selenium glycinate enhances immunity, that containing magnesium creatine chelate, taurine and ginseng extract as basic components is an energy drink, while that containing hyaluronic acid and glucosamine sulphate as basic components reinforces joints in humans.

170 Besides, the application of mineral amino acid chelates being combination of two amino acids with a mineral molecule, characterized by high chemical stability, results in increased resistance to acidic and basic environment of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby preventing dissociation into ions analogically to inorganic forms of minerals, which

175 in turn results in their high bioavailability and absorption. Moreover, they are resistant to the action of antinutritional components and do not inhibit the action of the vitamins contained. Application in the beverage of the current invention different forms of amino acid chelates allows faster and more effective replacement of lost electrolytes, increased

180 rehydration and regular nutrition of muscles under great physical effort.

On the other hand, the application of isomaltulose and mineral amino acid chelates allowed development of an unknown before innovative isotonic beverage which enhances rehydration of human body and regular nutrition of muscles under physical effort.

185 The subject of the invention was shown in embodiments of its formulas for liquid and powder forms which do not limit its application and in the examples of the liquid form based on the instant powder isotonic beverage, and direct liquid form of this beverage.

The examples of the formulas of the liquid form and instant

190 powder isotonic beverage (in g/1000 ml of the liquid or suspension) are shown in Tables 1 - 7.

Table 1

Formula components for Embodiments of the formula composition the liquid and powder (in g/1000 ml of liquid or suspension) form of the isotonic I II Ill beverage

glucose 10.639 13.5 10 fructose 10.639 13.5 10 crystalline sugar (sucrose) 8.149 10.5 10 maltodextrins - 15 10 salt 0.379 0.38 0.38 sodium citrate 1.397 1.398 1.398 potassium glycinate 1 1 1 calcium bisglycinate 0.27 - - magnesium bisglycinate 0.278 0.278 0.278

L-carnitine tartrate 0.318 0.296 0.296 isomaltulose - - 12.5 glutamine peptide 2.945 - - grapefruit juice concentrate 11.589 - - masking flavour 0.192 - -

210 grapefruit flavour 0.603 - - blue flavour seasoning - 0.64 0.64 forest fruit flavour - 0.36 0.36 malic acid 3.6 3.6 3.6 potassium sorbate 0.25 0.25 0.25 sodium benzoate 0.075 0.075 0.075

215 acesulphame K 0.134 - - mixture of sweeteners

containing aspartame,

acesulphame K, sodium

sucrate, sodium cyclamate 0.07

220 thickener (Gum Arabic) - - - quinoline yellow (El 04) 0.003 - - brilliant blue (E133) - 0.003 - brilliant green (El 42) 0.003 - - water 947.54 939.153 939.223

Total: 1000 1000 1000

225

Table 2

Formula components for the Embodiments of the formula composition (in liquid and powder form of g/1000 ml of liquid or suspension)

the isotonic beverage IV V VI

230 glucose 13.5 13.5 13.0 fructose 13.5 10 14.3 crystalline sugar (sucrose) 10.5 10.5 11.2 maltodextrins 14.82 14 16 salt 0.38 0.38 0.38 sodium citrate 1.398 1.398 2.091

235 potassium glycinate 1 1 1 magnesium bisglycinate 0.278 - - dipotassium hydrogen

phosphate 0.26 magnesium hydroxycarbonate - - 0.2

240 ascorbic acid 0.12

L-carnitine tartrate 0.296 0.296 0.296 isomaltulose - 3.5 - hyaluronic acid 0.01 - - glucosamine sulphate 2KC1 0.154 - - magnesium bisglycinate 0.00625 - -

245 magnesium creatine chelate - 1 - taurine - 1 3.869 caffeine - - 0.21 glucuronolactone - - 2.519 pineapple-strawberry

250 seasoning 16.741 blue flavour seasoning 0.64 0.64 - forest fruit flavour 0.36 0.36 - citric acid - - 3.396 malic acid 3.6 3.6 - potassium sorbate 0.25 0.25 0.3 sodium benzoate 0.075 0.075 0.075 mixture of sweeteners

(aspartame, acesulphame K,

sodium sucrate, sodium

cyclamate) 0.05 brilliant green (E142) - - 1.5 water 939.24 938.5 912.523

Total: 1000 1000 1000

Table 3

265 Formula components for the liquid and Embodiments of the formula powder form of the isotonic beverage composition (in g/1000 ml of liquid or suspension)

VII VIII IX

glucose 13.5 15.498 10 fructose 13.5 9.551 10

270 crystalline sugar (sucrose) 10.5 - 10 maltodextrins 15 19.679 10 sugar powder - 38.717 - salt 0.38 1.182 0.38 sodium citrate 1.398 0.314 1.398 potassium glycinate 1 2.7 1

275 calcium bisglycinate - 0.55 - magnesium bisglycinate 0.278 0.4 - magnesium hydroxycarbonate - - 0.1984 vitamin premix - 0.246 -

L-carnitine tartrate 0.296 0.42 0.296 isomaltulose - 0.7 7.5 magnesium bisglycinate 0.03 - -

280 magnesium creatine chelate - 0.2 - glutamine peptide - 3.152 - copper bisglycinate 0.02 - - selenium glycinate 0.01 - 0.01 grape rind extract - - 0.1

285 green tea extract - - 0.25 forest flavour - - 0.3 blue flavour seasoning 0.64 - - forest fruit flavour 0.36 - - grapefruit flavour - 0.936 - orange flavour - 0.844 -

290 malic acid 3.6 4.033 3.6 potassium sorbate 0.25 - 0.25 sodium benzoate 0.075 - 0.075 magnesium stearate - 0.308 - sucralose - 0.0209 -

295 acesulphame K - 0.0449 - sorbitol - 0.1 -

Table 4

Formula components for the Embodiments of the formula composition (in liquid and powder form of g/1000 ml of liquid or suspension)

the isotonic beverage X XI XII glucose (meritose) 11.5 13 19.878 fructose 11.5 13 19.878 crystalline sugar 8 10 - maltodextrins 11.5 14 22.2878 sugar powder - - 14.457 salt 0.38 0.38 0.572 sodium citrate 1.398 1.398 2.1022 potassium glycinate 1 1 1.5059 magnesium bisglycinate 0.278 0.278 - magnesium

hydroxycarbonate - - 0.301

L-carnitine tartrate 0.296 0.42 0.4457 isomaltulose 4.5 - 11.294 manganese bisglycinate 0.03 - - copper bisglycinate 0.02 - - selenium glycinate 0.01 0.01 0.15059 grape rind extract - - 0.1506 green tea extract 0.3 - 0.379 patented mixture of citrus

fruit extracts and guarana

(Sinetrol) 0.5

aloe extract - 0.5 - vitamin B6 0.0024 0.0024 -

Niacin 0.018 0.018 - calcium panthotenate 0.006 0.006 - aloe flavour - 0.015 - aloe extract flavour - 1 - grapefruit flavour 0.3 - 0.7228 malic acid 3.2 2.6 5.4213 potassium sorbate 0.25 0.25 - sodium benzoate 0.075 0.075 -

Starsweet mixture of

sweeteners (aspartame, 0.13 0.062 0.15059 acesulphame K, sodium

340 sucrate, sodium cyclamate)

thickener (Gum Arabic) - - 0.3012

Allura Red (E129) - - 0.0043 brilliant green (El 42) - - 0.003 water 936.196 943 -

Total: 1000 1000 100

345

Table 5

Formula components for the Embodiments of the formula composition (in liquid and powder form of g/1000 ml of liquid or suspension)

the isotonic beverage XIII XIV XV

Glucose (meritose) 20.9426 28.1139 23.504

350 fructose 20.9426 21.498 20.645 maltodextrins 20.9426 23.153 22.233 sugar powder 16.1097 15.876 15.246 salt 0.612 0.628 0.603 sodium citrate 2.2489 2.308 2.217

355 potassium glycinate 1.611 1.653 1.588 magnesium bisglycinate 0.4446 0.456 0.438

L-carnitine tartrate 0.4768 0.486 0.470 isomaltulose 7.249 - 11.9108 selenium glycinate - 0.0165 -

360 Green tea extract 0.6444 - -

Patented mixture of citrus

fruit extracts and guarana

(Sinetrol) 1.611

aloe extract - 0.826 -

Vitamin B6 0.0038 0.00396 -

365 niacin 0.0289 0.0297 - calcium panthotenate 0.00966 0.0099 - sweetness enhancing flavour - - 0.318 lemon flavour 0.7732 - 0.826 apple flavour - 0.4625 -

370 malic acid 5.155 4.299 - brilliant blue (E133) - - 0.019

Total: 100 100 100

Table 6.

Formula components for the Embodiments of the formula composition (in

375 liquid and powder form of g/1000 ml of liquid or suspension)

the isotonic beverage XVI XVII XVIII glucose 13.5 13.5 13.5 fructose 13.5 13.5 13.5 crystalline sugar (sucrose) 10.5 10.5 10.5

380 maltodextrins 15 15 15 salt 0.38 0.38 0.38 sodium citrate 1.398 1.398 1.398 potassium glycinate 1 1 1 magnesium bisglycinate 0.278 - - iron bisglycinate 0.07 - -

385 magnesium bisglycinate - 0.025 0.025 zinc methionate - 0.0375 zinc arginate - 0.15 - calcium ascorbate 0.15 - -

Vitamin B6 - 0.004 0.004

L-carnitine tartrate - 0.296 0.296

390 Omega 3 0.2 - -

Q10 coenzyme 0.03 - - astaxanthin 0.133 - - blue flavour seasoning 0.64 0.64 0.64 forest fruit flavour - 0.36 0.36

395 pineapple flavour 0.36 - - malic acid 3.6 3.6 3.6 potassium sorbate 0.25 0.25 0.25 sodium benzoate 0.075 0.075 0.075 glycerol and vegetable resin

esters 0.01 - -

400 Gum arabic 0.01 - - carrageen gum 0.01 - - cellulose gum 0.01 - - xanthane gum 0.01 - -

Starsweet mixture of

405 sweeteners (aspartame,

acesulphame K, sodium

sucrate, sodium cyclamate) - 0.07 0.07 water 938.886 939.252 939.364

Total: 1000 1000 1000

410

Table 7

Formula components for the Embodiments of the formula composition (in liquid and powder form of g/1000 ml of liquid or suspension)

the isotonic beverage XIX XX XXI

415 glucose 13.5 13.5 13.5 fructose 13.5 13.5 13.5 crystalline sugar (sucrose) 10.5 10.5 . 10.5 maltodextrins 15 15 15 salt 0.38 0.38 0.38 sodium citrate 1.398 1.398 1.398 potassium glycinate - - 1 magnesium bisglycinate - 0.556 0.278 zinc bislysinate - 0.0375 - magnesium asparaginate 0.025 - - zinc asparaginate 0.0375 - -

Total: 1000 1000 1000

450 Embodiment XXII.

The components of the isotonic beverage are dosed according to one of the formulas given in Embodiments XIII - XX into a bin of suitable volume.

The next stage is mixing of the raw materials placed in the bin using 455 properly programmed mixer in order to obtain homogeneous mixture.

Intermediate product after thorough mixing and release after organoleptic tests by Quality Control is transferred for packing, and depending on the needs it is packed into HDPE containers of different volume or into multilayer foil sachets.

4 0 The product obtained this way in the instant form is intended for dissolving in water in a suitable proportion and after thorough mixing it is ready for use. Osmolarity of this drink, depending on the formula composition is 275 - 295 mOsm, and pH is 2-5.

Embodiment XXII.

The initial stage of the production of the isotonic beverage, according to one of selected formulas given in Embodiments XIII - XX is dosing the components according to the approved formula, then these components are dissolved using a system of high volume mixers using technological

470 water and water obtained using reverse osmosis.

The beverage obtained this way, after confirming compliance of physicochemical parameters, including required osmolarity of 275 - 295 mOsm, and acidity of pH=2-5, is released for the next stage of the manufacture by Quality Control.

475 Moreover, depending on the type of packaging, the beverage undergoes tunnel or flow pasteurization in order to ensure microbiological stability of the finished product, whereas the beverage is going to be poured into PET bottles and undergoes flow pasteurization at 110-115°C for 120 s, and then is cooled with an ice water down to 7 - 9°C and is passed for

480 bottling.

Closed containers are labelled with the production batch number and the expiry date, and then labelled with sleeve-type labels.

The beverage is then poured into aluminum tins and after closing undergoes tunnel pasteurization at the temperature of 80 - 82 °C for 7 - 485 9 min, and then labeled analogically as in the case of PET containers.

The final stage of the manufacture process is, for both types of containers, packing into collective packages in multi-packs of 6, 12 or 24 containers and preparing for distribution.