Beverage compositions having enhanced .beta.-carotene bioavailability
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsDavid C. Heckert, Haile Mehansho, Glenn R. Hudepohl, Samuel Crosby, Jr.
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Abstract
A method for enhancing .beta.-carotene absorption in animals and humans by administering a beverage comprising: (a) from about 0.05% to about 0.3% calcium; (b) at least 0.0004% of .beta.-carotene; (c) about 0.5% to about 60% sweetener; (d) at least 0.005% flavor; and (e) the remainder being water is disclosed. The beverage can contain vitamin C, A, B, D and E. The beverage must be essentially free of iron and metals which cause vitamin degradation. Preferably the beverage contains gums or thickeners.
Claims22
A method for enchancing .beta.-carotene absorption in animals and humans by administering a beverage consisting essentially of:
- (a) from about 0.05% to 0.3% calcium;
- (b) at least 0.0004% .beta.-carotene;
- (c) about 0.5% to about 60% sweetener;
- (d) at least 0.005% flavor;
- and
- (e) the remainder being water, said beverage being substantially free of iron and other metals which degrade vitamins.
A method for enhancing the bioavailability of--.beta.carotene by administering a concentrate consisting essentially of:
- (a) from about 0.15% to about 1.0% calcium
- (b) at least 0.018% .beta.-carotene;
- (c) from 1% to about 60% sweetener;
- (d) an effective amount of flavor;
- and
- (e) the remainder being water, said concentrate being substantially free of iron and other metals which degrade vitamins.
A beverage for providing bioavailable .beta.-carotene consisting essentially of:
- (a) from about 0.05% to about 0.3% calcium;
- (b) at least 0.0004% .beta.-carotene;
- (c) from 0.5% to about 60% added sweetener;
- (d) at least 0.01% flavor;
- and
- (e) the remainder being water, said beverage being substantially free of iron and other metals which degrade vitamins.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.