BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Athletes participating in endurance events are required to sustain relatively high work rates for a prolonged period, which results in high sweat rates and energy expenditure. To delay the onset of fatigue and optimize prolonged endurance performance, athletes are recommended to compensate fluid and electrolyte losses as well as to fuel the body with energy from carbohydrates.

Carbohydrate intake has been shown to improve endurance capacity and performance and athletes are advised to consume carbohydrate at rates of 0.7 g kg ^"1 body weight per hour (30-60 g h ^"1 ) during endurance events (American College of Sports Medicine. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009, 41:709-31). An alternative contemporary recommendation suggests even higher carbohydrate intake rates of up to 90 g h ^"1 for athletes competing in intense (ultra)endurance events longer than 2 h (Jeukendrup Eur J Sport Sci 2008, .8:77-86).

High carbohydrate intakes rates are significantly positively correlated with performance, but at the same time, are linked to gastrointestinal symptoms such as higher scores of nausea and flatulence (Pfeiffer Med Sci Sports Exerc 2012, 44:344-351).

Accordingly, there is a demand for carbohydrate containing nutritional supplements that allows high carbohydrate intake without causing unwanted gastrointestinal symptoms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problem by providing nutritional supplements comprising alginate, preferably in combination with pectin, which will form hydrogels in the stomach when exposed to the low pH of the gastric juice. The formation of a hydrogel will lead to delayed release of sugars and other active ingredients in the stomach. The nutritional supplements can comprise high concentrations of sugars and complex carbohydrates without causing unwanted gastrointestinal symptoms.

The composition of the nutritional supplements according to the invention are selectively chosen to provide both a low viscosity at consumption in combination with effective gelling when exposed to the low pH of the gastric juice.

The first aspect of the present invention provides liquid nutritional supplements comprising;

a) 0.1 to 2.0 wt % alginate

b) 0.1 to 1.5 wt % pectin, and

c) 35 to 80 wt % active ingredients, where the active ingredients are selected from one or more of the ingredients consisting of sugars, complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids,

for use as sport gels or energy gels.

More specifically for providing carbohydrates for energy before, during and/or after exercise avoiding gastrointestinal symptoms, such as flatulence and nausea.

In one preferred embodiment the liquid nutritional supplement consists essentially of; a) 0.1 to 2.0 wt % alginate

b) 0.1 to 1.5 wt % pectin, and

c) 35 to 80 wt % active ingredients, where the active ingredients are selected from one or more of the ingredients consisting of sugars, complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids.

The content of active ingredients can be 35 to 80 wt , such as 40 to 80 wt , 50 to 80 wt %, or 50 to 75 wt .

The alginate content can be 0.1 to 2.0 wt , such as 0.2 to 1.0 wt , preferably 0.4 to 0.8 wt %, or 0.3 to 0.7 wt %. The alginate is preferably high-guluronate (high-G) alginate.

The pectin content can be 0.1 to 1.5 wt , such as 0.2 to 1.0 wt , preferably 0.2 % to 0.6 wt %, or 0.3 to 0.5 wt %.

The pectin is preferably high- methylated (HM) pectin. The sugar content can be 35 to 75 wt , such as 35 to 65 wt , or 50 to 65 wt , which can provide sports gels intended to be consumed in volumes from 25 ml to 100 ml.

The sugars can be selected from, but are not limited to, glucose, fructose, sucrose and isomaltulose

If present the glucose to fructose ratio can be from 10: 1 to 1: 10, such as 4: 1 to 1: 1, preferably 2: 1.

The complex carbohydrates can be selected from starch, maltodextrin, glucose syrup and fructose syrup.

The content of complex carbohydrates can be 0 to 25 wt , such as 4 to 9 wt %.

The electrolytes can be selected from chloride, phosphate and citrate salts of sodium potassium, , zinc and magnesium.

Optional the nutritional supplements can comprise vitamins, such as vitamin C.

Optionally the nutritional supplements can comprise flavouring, such as citrus or vanilla aromas

In one preferred embodiment the liquid nutritional supplement comprises,

a) 0.3 to 0.7 wt % alginate, ,

b) 0.3 to 0.5 wt % pectin, and

c) 50 to 75 wt % active ingredients, consisting of 0 to 35 wt % fructose, 0 to 35 wt % glucose, 0 to 70 wt % sucrose, 0 to 35 wt % maltodextrin, and 0 to 1 wt % sodium chloride.

The second aspect of the present invention provides liquid nutritional supplements comprising;

a) 0.1 to 2.0 wt % alginate

b) 0.1 to 1.5 wt % pectin, and

c) 35 to 80 wt % active ingredients, where the active ingredients are selected from one or more of the ingredients consisting of sugars, complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids.

In one preferred embodiment the liquid nutritional supplement consists essentially of; a) 0.1 to 2.0 wt % alginate

b) 0.1 to 1.5 wt % pectin, and

c) 35 to 80 wt % active ingredients, where the active ingredients are selected from one or more of the ingredients consisting of sugars, complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids.

The content of active ingredients can be 35 to 80 wt , such as 40 to 80 wt , 50 to 80 wt %, or 50 to 75 wt .

The alginate content can be 0.1 to 2.0 wt , such as 0.2 to 1.0 wt , preferably 0.4 to 0.8 wt %, or 0.3 to 0.7 wt %.

The alginate is preferably high-guluronate (high-G) alginate.

The pectin content can be 0.1 to 1.5 wt , such as 0.2 to 1.0 wt , preferably 0.2 % to 0.6 wt %, or 0.3 to 0.5 wt %.

The pectin is preferably high- methylated (HM) pectin.

The sugar content can be 50 to 75 wt , such as 60 to 70 wt , which can provide sports gels intended to be consumed in volumes from 25 ml to 100 ml.

The sugars can be selected from, but are not limited to, glucose, fructose, sucrose and isomaltulose.

If present the glucose to fructose ratio can be from 10: 1 to 1: 10, such as 4: 1 to 1: 1, preferably 2: 1.

The complex carbohydrates can be selected from starch, maltodextrin, glucose syrup and fructose syrup. The content of complex carbohydrates can be 0 to 25 wt , such as 4 to 9 wt %.

The electrolytes can be selected from chloride, phosphate and citrate salts of sodium potassium, zinc and magnesium.

Optional the nutritional supplements can comprise vitamins, such as vitamin C.

Optionally the nutritional supplements can comprise flavouring, such as citrus or vanilla aromas. In one preferred embodiment the liquid nutritional supplement consists essentially of, a) 0.3 to 0.7 wt % alginate,

b) 0.3 to 0.5 wt % pectin, and

c) 50 to 75 wt % active ingredients, consisting of 0 to 35 wt % fructose, 0 to 35 wt % glucose, 0 to 70 wt % sucrose, 0 to 35 wt % maltodextrin, and 0 to 1 wt % sodium chloride.

The third aspect of the present invention provides liquid nutritional supplements comprising;

a) 0.1 to 3.5 wt % alginate, and

b) 50 to 80 wt % active ingredients, where the active ingredients are selected from one or more of the ingredients consisting of sugars, complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids,

for use as sport gels or energy gels. More specifically for providing carbohydrates for energy before, during and/or after exercise avoiding gastrointestinal symptoms, such as flatulence and nausea.

In one preferred embodiment the liquid nutritional supplement consists essentially of; a) 0.1 to 3.5 wt % alginate, and

b) 35 to 80 wt % active ingredients, where the active ingredients are selected from one or more of the ingredients consisting of sugars, complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids.

The content of active ingredients can be 35 to 80 wt %, such as 40 to 80 wt %, 50 to 80 wt %, or 50 to 75 wt %.

The alginate content can be 0.1 to 3.5 wt %, such as 0.3 to 3.5 wt %, 0.3 to 2.0 wt %, or 0.5 to 2.0 wt %, preferably 0.5 to 1.0 wt %, 0.5 to 0.7 wt %, or 0.3 to 0.6 wt %.

The alginate is preferably high-guluronate (high-G) alginate.

The sugar content can be 50% to 75 wt %, such as 60 to 70 wt %, which can provide sports gels intended to be consumed in volumes from 25 ml to 100 ml

The sugars can be selected from, but are not limited to, glucose, fructose, sucrose and isomaltulose.

If present the glucose to fructose ratio can be from 10: 1 to 1: 10, such as 4: 1 to 1: 1, preferably 2: 1.

The complex carbohydrates can be selected from starch, maltodextrin, glucose syrup and fructose syrup.

The content of complex carbohydrates can be 0 to 25 wt %, such as 4 to 9 wt %. The electrolytes can be selected from chloride, phosphate and citrate salts of sodium potassium, , zinc and magnesium.

Optional the nutritional supplements can comprise vitamins, such as vitamin C.

Optionally the nutritional supplements can comprise a flavouring, such as citrus or vanilla aromas.

The fourth aspect of the present invention provides liquid nutritional supplements comprising;

a) 0.1 to 3.5 wt % alginate, and

b) 35 to 80 wt % active ingredients, where the active ingredients are selected from one or more of the ingredients consisting of sugars, complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids.

In one preferred embodiment the liquid nutritional supplement consists essentially of; a) 0.1 to 3.5 wt % alginate, and

b) 35 to 80 wt % active ingredients, where the active ingredients are selected from one or more of the ingredients consisting of sugars, complex carbohydrates, electrolytes, and amino acids.

The content of active ingredients can be 35 to 80 wt %, such as 40 to 80 wt %, 50 to 80 wt %, or 50 to 75 wt %.

The alginate content can be 0.1 to 3.5 wt %, such as 0.3 to 3.5 wt %, 0.3 to 2.0 wt %, or 0.5 to 2.0 wt %, preferably 0.5 to 1.0 wt %, 0.5 to 0.7 wt %, or 0.3 to 0.6 wt %.

The alginate is preferably high-guluronate (high-G) alginate.

The sugar content can be 50% to 75 wt %, such as 60 to 70 wt %, which can provide sports gels intended to be consumed in volumes from 25 ml to 100 ml

The sugars can be selected from, but are not limited to, glucose, fructose, sucrose and isomaltulose. If present the glucose to fructose ratio can be from 10: 1 to 1: 10, such as 4: 1 to 1: 1, preferably 2: 1.

The complex carbohydrates can be selected from starch, maltodextrin, glucose syrup and fructose syrup. The content of complex carbohydrates can be 0 to 25 wt %, such as 4 to 9 wt %.

The electrolytes can be selected from chloride, phosphate and citrate salts of sodium potassium, , zinc and magnesium.

Optional the nutritional supplements can comprise vitamins, such as vitamin C.

Optionally the nutritional supplements can comprise a flavouring, such as citrus or vanilla aromas.

The liquid nutritional supplements according to the invention can be in the form of sports gels intended to be consumed in volumes from 25 ml to 100 ml. Another aspect of the present invention provides use of a nutritional supplement according to the invention as sports drinks, energy drinks, beverages or food products.

Another aspect of the present invention provides use of a nutritional supplement according to the invention in the manufacture of sports drinks, energy drinks, beverages or food products.

LEGEND TO THE FIGURE

Figure 1. Release of carbohydrates from a formulation after gelling in simulated gastric fluid (SGF). BRIX concentrations measured in SGX at different time point after 0.5-21 min given as percentage of BRIX concentrations measured after- 24 h. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Upon digestion the liquid nutritional supplements comprising pectin and alginate will form a gel in the stomach when exposed to the low pH of gastric juice. The gel formation will lead to slow release of sugars in the stomach (Figures 1), avoiding unwanted

gastrointestinal symptoms.

Pectin

Pectin, also known as pectic polysaccharides, is rich in galacturonic acid. Several distinct polysaccharides have been identified and characterised within the pectic group.

Homogalacturonans are linear chains of a-(l-4)-linked D-galacturonic acid.

Rhamnogalacturonan I pectins (RG-I) contain a backbone of the repeating disaccharide: — »4)-a-D-galacturonic acid-(l,2)-a-L-rhamnose-(l— ». From many of the rhamnose residues, sidechains of various neutral sugars branch off. The neutral sugars are mainly D- galactose, L-arabinose and D-xylose, with the types and proportions of neutral sugars varying with the origin of pectin. Another structural type of pectin is rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), which is a less frequent, complex, highly branched polysaccharide.

Rhamnogalacturonan II can be classified within the group of substituted galacturonans since the rhamnogalacturonan II backbone is made exclusively of D-galacturonic acid units.

Isolated pectin has a molecular weight of typically 60-150,000 g/mol, varying with origin and extraction conditions.

The carboxyl group of the homogalacturonan is, in nature, highly esterified with methyl groups (typically -70%). The proportion between methylated and non-methylated carboxyl groups, or the degree of methylation (DM) depends among other aspects on maturity of the plant. Once the homogalacturonan is extracted from the plant, the DM is routinely varied, either increased via dispersion in methanol under acid conditions or decreased via acid, alkali or enzymic treatment. The ratio of esterified to non-esterified galacturonic acid determines the gelation behavior of pectin. Pectin with a high degree of methyl esters

(>50%) are denoted high methoxy pectin (HM pectin) or high ester pectin (HE pectin) and those with low methoxy content (<50%) as low methoxy pectin (LM pectin) or low ester pectin (LE pectin). The non-esterified galacturonic acid units can be either free acids (carboxyl groups) or salts with sodium, potassium, or calcium. The salts of partially esterified pectins are called pectinates, if the degree of esterification is below 5 percent the salts are called pectates, the insoluble acid form, pectic acid. All forms of pectin, including HM-pectin , LM-pectin, and amidated LM-pectin, can be used according to the invention. The preferred pectin is HM- pectin.

Alginates

Alginate, also called algin or alginic acid, is an anionic polysaccharide distributed widely in the cell walls of brown algae. Alginate acid is a linear copolymer with homopolymeric blocks of (l-4)-linked β-D-mannuronate (M) and its C-5 epimer a-L-guluronate (G) residues, respectively, covalently linked together in different sequences or blocks. The monomers can appear in homopolymeric blocks of consecutive G-residues (G-blocks), consecutive M-residues (M-blocks) or alternating M and G-residues (MG-blocks). All forms of alginate, including high-G alginate and high-M alginate, can be used according to the invention. The preferred alginate is high-G alginate. The counter ion can e.g. be sodium (sodium-alginate), potassium (potassium-alginate), ammonium (ammonium alginate) or other suitable cations, or mixtures thereof. Sugars

Sugars that can be used according to invention, but not limited to, are monosaccharides like glucose, fructose, galactose, disaccharides like lactose, maltose, sucrose, lactulose, trehalose, cellobiose.

Complex carbohydrates

Complex carbohydrates that can be used according to the invention, but not limited to, are components of starch like amy lose and amylopectin, maltodextrin, glucose syrup and fructose syrup. EXAMPLES

Material and Methods

Maltodextrin (35 g), fructose (25 g), sodium alginate (0.105 g), Pectin (0.07 g), and NaCl (1.1 g) were mixed with water (total weight 100 g) in a closed vial by magnetic stirring for 2 h. Release tests were carried out by pouring 15 ml of a mixture into 40 ml of simulated gastric fluid (SGF) in a 60-ml cylindrical container (inner diameter 26 mm, length 120 mm) which was slowly rotated (16 rpm). Samples (0.20 ml) of the SGF were taken at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 min and after 24 h. Optical density and corresponding BRIX-concentration was measured by an AT AGO PAL-3 refracto meter.

Results

The formulation formed a gel in contact with SGF. Carbohydrates were slowly released from the gel (Figure 1). BRIX concentrations measured after 21 min were 65% of BRIX concentration measured after 24 h (Figure 1).