WO2013136349A1

WO2013136349A1 - Digestion adjuvant compound

Info

Publication number: WO2013136349A1
Application number: PCT/IT2012/000074
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gabriele MORSIANI
Original assignee: BIFFI-HELPS Srl
Current assignee: BIFFI-HELPS Srl
Priority date: 2012-03-14
Filing date: 2012-03-14
Publication date: 2013-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-14

Description

DIGESTION ADJUVANT COMPOUND

The present invention relates to a compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion, particularly of alcoholic substances, making it possible to restore the sobriety and lucidity of the individual.

Digestion is one of the phases of the nutrition of living organisms and consists of a reduction of complex molecules to simpler molecules.

Sometimes this process can be hindered and slowed considerably, depending on the different types of food and substances ingested.

In particular, alcoholic beverages are among the substances that are difficult to digest for the body because they contain ethanol in different concentrations.

This substance, after being ingested, is in fact absorbed rapidly by the stomach and small intestine, entering circulation in the human body in a very short time.

Approximately 90% of ingested ethanol is metabolized directly by the body, while a small part is eliminated in urine, sweat and exhaled air.

The presence of ethanol in the body causes numerous side effects, such as dehydration, headaches, dry mouth and lethargy.

Many compositions and formulations, particularly of the pharmaceutical type, are known which facilitate digestion.

However, such compounds do not have significant effects on the reduction of ethanol in blood and therefore of the side effects caused by taking alcoholic substances.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by proposing a compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion and suitable to reduce rapidly the side effects of the ingestion of alcoholic beverages.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to propose a compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion which is suitable to accelerate the reduction of the level of ethanol in the body. Another object of the present invention is to propose a compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion which enables to restore the sobriety and lucidity of the individual.

Another object of the invention is to propose a compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion which essentially contains natural substances.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion which has a low cost, is relatively simple to provide in practice and is safe in application.

This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a compound, characterized in that it comprises mainly, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.0%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, where the remainder of the compound, where needed, is optionally constituted by at least one excipient.

This aim and these objects are also achieved by a food product, characterized in that it comprises, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, and wherein the remainder of the product is constituted by at least one excipient chosen preferably among flours, sugars, eggs, milk, dairy products and milk derivatives, powdered milk, chocolate, oils, peppermint, aromas.

Conveniently, this aim and these objects are furthermore achieved by a soluble food supplement, characterized in that it comprises, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, and where the remainder of the supplement is constituted by at least one excipient chosen preferably among sugars and aromas.

Likewise, this aim and these objects are also achieved by a beverage, characterized in that it comprises, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, and where the remainder of the beverage is constituted by at least one excipient chosen preferably among water, sugars and aromas.

The compound according to the invention comprises mainly (in the sense that other active ingredients that perform synergistic or complementary actions with respect to the action defined hereafter may also be present), each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.0%, a raising agent and at least one acid, wherein the remainder of the compound, where necessary, is optionally constituted by at least one excipient.

One of the main functions of a raising agent is indeed to facilitate the increase in volume of any mix, before or after any heating thereof.

Said acid can be chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid.

The raising agent comprised in the compound according to the invention can be a bicarbonate.

In particular, the bicarbonate can be chosen preferably among sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, hydrogen carbonates.

Sodium bicarbonate is a sodium salt of carbonic acid which retains a hydrogen ion of the corresponding acid.

In nature it can be present in dissolved form in surface and underground water or more rarely as a mineral in deposits of the evaporitic type.

At ambient temperature it has the appearance of a white crystalline powder, while when heated above 50 °C it tends to break down into sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide. Moreover, when dissolved in water it produces a slightly basic solution.

When exposed to acid substances it breaks down, releasing gaseous carbon dioxide and water: this phenomenon is utilized in so-called chemical or "instant" raising agents and in preparations for carbonating table water.

The capacity to react with acids causes sodium bicarbonate to be used in pharmaceutical preparations as an antacid and against heartburn.

Ammonium bicarbonate (or ammonium hydrogen carbonate) is an acid salt of ammonia and carbonic acid.

At ambient temperature it has the appearance of a colorless solid which at temperatures above 35 °C breaks down, producing ammonia fumes.

From a practical point of view, it should be stressed that it is generally used as a raising agent or as an acidity regulator.

In the compound according to the invention, the raising agent can be present in a percentage value comprised between 40% and 98%, preferably between 70% and 90%.

Moreover, in the compound according to the invention the at least one acid can be present in a percentage value comprised between 1.5% and 50%, preferably between 2% and 25%.

In particular, citric acid can be present in a percentage value comprised between 0.5% and 15%, preferably between 1% and 10%.

This acid, defined more appropriately as 3 -carboxy-3 -hydroxy- 1 ,5- pentanedioic acid, is one of the most widespread acids in plants and in particular is a metabolic product of all aerobic plants.

It can have the appearance of a solid, colorless, water-soluble substance and can be present in almost all fruit, particularly in lemons and oranges, but also in woods, mushrooms, tobacco, wine and even in milk.

In the pharmacological field it can be used as an anticoagulant in the preservation of extracted blood and as a preservative in pharmaceutical preparations (medicines).

In the food industry it is used generally as an acidifier and to correct the pH of basic colors.

It is also used generally as an additive in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, confectionery products and, together with sodium bicarbonate, in effervescent preparations.

Tartaric acid instead can be present in a percentage value comprised between 1% and 40%, preferably between 2% and 15%.

Tartaric acid is an organic acid that is naturally present in many plants and particularly in grapes, and is abundant both in its free form and in combination with salts of potassium, calcium and magnesium.

From a practical point of view, it is necessary to stress that it can be used in the preparation of medicines, particularly mixed with sodium bicarbonate, for preparing effervescent digestives.

Sorbic acid, in the present invention, can be present in a percentage value comprised between 1% and 40%, preferably between 2% and 15%.

Sorbic acid is. a carboxylic acid which has the appearance, at ambient temperature, of a white solid that has a faint odor.

This is a natural organic compound, used extensively as a preservative in the food industry because it is absolutely harmless.

It has mainly antifungal properties, which make it commonly used in food products such as cheeses (to control the growth of molds and yeasts on the crust), yogurts, fruit juices, sauces, alcoholic and non-alcoholic aromatized beverages, bakery products, and the like.

Ascorbic acid, according to the teachings of the present invention, can be present in a percentage value comprised between 1% and 40%, preferably between 2% and 15%.

Ascorbic or L-ascorbic acid (or vitamin C) is a water-soluble compound, similar to glucose, is an antioxidant and performs several functions in the body. Generally it can be in the form of odorless and tasteless crystals.

One of its main functions is to maintain the activity of collagen, a protein which is required for the forming of the connective tissue of skin, ligaments and bones.

Another important property thereof is the antioxidant one, which thus makes it particularly adapted to be used as an additive in foods.

According to an applied solution that is particularly interesting in practice, the invention is provided as a food product, which comprises, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, and wherein the rest of the product is constituted by at least one excipient.

The excipient can be chosen preferably among flours, sugars, eggs, milk, dairy products and milk derivatives, powdered milk, chocolate, oils, peppermint, aromas.

In particular, it is possible to provide a product of the type of a chocolate by mixing, at a predefined temperature, the substances cited above with the chocolate.

Once the process has been performed, one proceeds by performing the known methods for providing confectionery products.

Moreover, a soluble food supplement is provided which comprises, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, and where the remainder of the compound can be constituted by at least one excipient chosen preferably among sugars and aromas.

The food supplement can be in a form chosen preferably among granular, in capsules, tablets and the like.

A beverage is also provided which comprises, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, and where the remainder of the beverage can be constituted by at least one excipient chosen preferably among water, sugars and aromas.

Repeated tests have been performed to analyze the effects of the compound (taken individually or embodied in one of the cited embodiments: food product, supplement and beverage).

Some of the results obtained are given hereinafter.

Initially, the subject undergoing the test, a male, took two doses of a high-alcohol substance and then ingested the compound according to the invention.

A breathalyzer test was then conducted and a blood sample was taken simultaneously at three different successive time intervals (after 2 minutes, after 10 minutes and after 20 minutes).

Analysis of the collected data thus enabled to highlight an appreciable and quick drop in the blood alcohol concentration (an almost tenfold reduction of its value) and the restoration of sobriety and lucidity conditions of the subject.

The same test was then performed on a female subject with different physical and body characteristics.

In this case also, albeit with different local values, following the administration of the compound a rapid decrease of the concentration of ethanol in the blood (a reduction in the value thereof by a few times) and the restoration of the conditions of sobriety and lucidity of the subject were observed.

Moreover, it has been found that the response times and the reduction in blood alcohol concentration can vary from one subject to another, being in practice proportional to the physical characteristics of the subjects and to the quantity of alcohol taken.

In particular, it has been found that the effects of the compound according to the invention are substantially more evident in healthy subjects and not in subjects affected by disorders of various kinds, particularly alcoholism.

Advantageously, the compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion is suitable to reduce rapidly and exponentially the side effects of the ingestion of alcoholic beverages.

Positively, the compound according to the invention is suitable to accelerate the reduction in the level of ethanol in the body.

Conveniently, the compound according to the invention makes it possible to restore the sobriety and lucidity of the individual.

Conveniently, the compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion essentially contains natural substances.

In practice it has been found that the compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion, according to the invention, fully achieves the intended aim, since it is suitable to reduce rapidly and exponentially the side effects of the ingestion of alcoholic beverages.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Claims

1. A compound adapted to facilitate and accelerate digestion, characterized in that it comprises, mainly and in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, where the remainder of the compound, where needed, is optionally constituted by at least one excipient.

2. The compound according to claim 1, characterized in that said raising agent is a bicarbonate.

3. The compound according to claim 2, characterized in that said bicarbonate is preferably chosen among sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, hydrogen carbonate.

4. The compound according to claim 1, characterized in that said raising agent^, is present in a percentage value comprised between 40% and 98%, preferably between 70% and 90%.

5. The compound according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one acid is present in a percentage value comprised between 1.5% and 50%, preferably between 2% and 25%.

6. The compound according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the citric acid is present in a percentage value comprised between 0.5% and 15%, preferably between 1% and 10%.

7. The compound according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tartaric acid is present in a percentage value comprised between 1% and 40%, preferably between 2% and 15%.

8. The compound according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sorbic acid is present in a percentage value comprised between 1% and 40%), preferably between 2% and 15%.

9. The compound according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ascorbic acid is present in a percentage value comprised between 1% and 40%>, preferably between 2% and 15%.

10. A food product, characterized in that it comprises, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, and wherein the remainder of the product is constituted by at least one excipient chosen preferably among flours, sugars, eggs, milk, dairy products and milk derivatives, powdered milk, chocolate, oils, peppermint, aromas.

1 1. A soluble food supplement, characterized in that it comprises, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1 % to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, and wherein the remainder of the supplement is constituted by at least one excipient chosen preferably among sugars and aromas.

12. A beverage, characterized in that it comprises, each in proportions which can vary from approximately 0.1% to approximately 99.9%, a raising agent and at least one acid chosen preferably among citric acid, tartaric acid, sorbic acid and ascorbic acid, and wherein the remainder of the beverage is constituted by at least one excipient chosen preferably among water, sugars and aromas.