FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[1] This disclosure relates to a beverage containing amla, and more specifically, to a fortified beverage containing amla, vitamins, and electrolytes.

BACKGROUND

[2] Beverages may be fortified with electrolytes, vitamins or other beneficial compounds, to provide additional nutrition or nourishment beyond the beverage itself. These additives may enhance athletic performance, aid in recovery following exercise, promote overall health, or may provide other benefits.

[3] However, there are a number of obstacles to delivering these benefits In a healthy manner. For example, heavily fortified beverages may be high in calories, mating them unattractive to individuals looting to lose weight or otherwise health-conscious consumers.

Further, the digestive system may not be able to effectively absorb all, or even most, of the additives in a fortified beverage, which diminishes the benefits of providing these additives.

[4] In addition, the inclusion of additives may impair taste, and consumers are not likely to drink a poor-tasting beverage. The taste of beverages may be improved by artificial flavoring, but artificial flavoring often contains synthetic chemical or high amounts of sugar.

Further, heavily sweetened beverages may be high in calories, making them less likely to appeal to health-conscious consumers.

SUMMARY

[5] Therefore, it is an object of this disclosure to describe a fortified beverage that delivers health benefits and promotes both digestive absorption and taste. [6] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fortified beverage comprising: amia; organic juice; organic flavoring; one or more electrolytes; one or more vitamins; a plant- based sweetener; and filtered water, wherein the one or more electrolytes include magnesium, and wherein the one or more vitamins include potassium.

[7] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide that the amia is in the form of amia extract.

[8] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide that the plant-based sweetener is rebaudioside A.

[9] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide that the one or more electrolytes further include sodium, potassium, and chloride.

[10] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide that the magnesium and potassium are present in an approximately 2:1 potassium:magnesium ratio by weight.

[11] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide that the magnesium is ionic magnesium obtained in dehydrated form.

[12] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of manufacturing a fortified beverage, comprising the steps of: charging a vessel with filtered water and wanning the filtered water to a temperature greater than room temperature; and adding one or more electrolyte powders, one or more mineral powders, amia, and sulfate to the vessel, wherein the one or more mineral powders includes magnesium and wherein the one or more electrolyte powders include at least one vitamin.

[13] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide that the one or more electrolyte powders includes sodium, potassium, and chloride.

[14] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide that the magnesium and potassium are present in an approximately 2:1 potassium:magnesium ratio by weight. [15] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide adding a plant-based sweetener to the vessel.

[16] Embodiments of the present disdosure further provide that the magnesium is ionic magnesium obtained in dehydrated form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[17] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a beverage fortified with amla, electrolytes, and vitamins that may provide health benefits to the consumer.

[18] Phyl!anthus emblica is a deciduous fruit-bearing tree of the family phyllanthaceae. The fruit of phyi!anthus emblica, known as amla or Indian gooseberry, may be consumed in berry form, juice form, or as an extract Amla may contain, Inter alia, water, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds (including gallic add), polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, omega-3 fatty acids, and omega-6 fatty adds. In addition, amla may contain significant amounts of vitamin C and vitamin E, and may have antioxidant properties. Amla may be free of saturated fat, cholesterol, and bans fat Amla may provide approximately 50 calories per

100 g sample.

[19] In an embodiment, amla may comprise the general composition detailed in Table 1, based on an exemplary 100 gram sample.

[20] Amla may be a source of vitamins and minerals. As previously noted, amla may contain vitamin C and vitamin E, and in addition, amla may contain quantities of vitamin A, vitamin B6, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, ca!dum, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, and chloride.

[21] Table 2 lists the vitamins and minerals that may be present in an exemplary embodiment of a 100 g sample of amla.

[22] Amla may also contain quantities of other compounds, including ellagitannins, b- sitosterol, stigmasterol, carotenoids, b-carotene, and fiavonoids such as kaempferol and quercetin.

[23] The presence of these components may allow amla to provide numerous health benefits. These benefits may include, without limitation, free radical reduction, improved immune system function, improved appetite, lower cholesterol levels, improved respiratory health, improved regulation of blood glucose levels, improve liver function, improve skin appearance, lower blood pressure and reduce tensions within blood vessels, and increased metabolism. In addition, amia may be beneficial in treating temporary illnesses such as a cough and the common cold.

[24] A fortified beverage according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include amla. Embodiments of the fortified beverage described herein may include one or more of amia and amla juice, which may be juice made from amla. In an embodiment, amla can be added to the fortified beverage as an extract The foregoing components and compositions are exemplary of amla, and it is understood that the term "amla" as used herein refers to the fruit of phyllanthus emblica, whether in berry, juice, or extract form. It is further understood that embodiments of amla in extract form can contain a subset of the components of amla described above, can contain all of the components of amla described above, and can include additional components.

[25] In an embodiment, the fortified beverage may include vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, minerals such as magnesium and chloride, and electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride. The inclusion of these vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes in the fortified beverage may provide additional health benefits or may enhance or increase the benefits provided by amla.

[26] As a natural product, the exact composition of amla may vary from sample to sample.

It is understood that the description of amla compositions herein, including the amla composition of Table 1, the amla vitamins and minerals of Table 2, and the list of other compounds described above, are exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

It is further understood that the properties and benefits of amla, and the properties and benefits of fortified beverages according to the present disclosure, may be achieved with amla having a different composition, different vitamins and minerals, different other compounds, and different amounts thereof. Additional description of the composition of amla according to embodiments of the present disclosure is contained in the appendix.

[27] For example, the fortified beverage may include vitamin A, which may be in the form of retlnyl palmitate. Vitamin A may, without limitation, promote bone, eye, and skin health, immune system function and tissues repair, may reduce cholesterol, and may act as an antioxidant agent. The vitamin A retinyl palmitate added to the fortified beverage may complement the vitamin A present in amla to provide enhanced benefits.

[28] The fortified beverage may also include vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid.

Vitamin C may, without limitation, improve heart health, reduce cholesterol, help maintain bones, blood vessels, and skin, may act as an antioxidant agent, may shorten the duration of a common cold, and may prevent scurvy.

[29] The fortified beverage may also include vitamin E, which may be in the form of dl- alpha tocopheryl acetate. Vitamin E may, without limitation, improve skin and hair health, repair damaged skin, improve vision, improve endocrine and nervous system function, act as an antioxidant agent, may reduce harmful side effects of medical treatments or drugs.

[30] In an embodiment, the fortified beverage may achieve additional health benefits through the use of minerals. For example, amla contains calcium that may, without limitation, support bone and dental health, prevent arthritis, osteoporosis, and certain cancers, maintain healthy body weight, protect heart musdes and nerves, help regulate blood pressure, and promotes the movement of nutrients across cell membranes.

[31] The fortified beverage may also include magnesium. In an embodiment, the magnesium may be naturally sourced, and not in the form of magnesium citrate. Magnesium may, without limitation, support bone health, heart health, and kidney function, and support carbohydrate and glucose metabolism. Magnesium may also improve calcium absorption, and accordingly may enhance the benefits of the calcium contained in amla.

[32] Magnesium may also act as an electrolyte, supporting the electrical conduction of impulses with the body. In addition, magnesium may improve the balancing and handling of stress hormones, reduce the secretion of stress hormones, inhibit the uptake of stress hormones by the brain, support neurotransmissions, and support adenosine triphosphate production. Magnesium may also support muscle flexibility, and function (e.g., contraction and expansion), and insufficient magnesium levels in the body may create a buildup of lactic add, increasing the likelihood of musde pain and tightness. Insufficient magnesium may also contribute to poor sleep, cause headaches, prevent muscle relaxation and contribute to undesirable musde twitching. Magnesium levels may be reduced by the consumption of diuretics (e.g., alcohol and caffeine), refined sugars, and the use of allergy medications, antibiotics and birth control. The magnesium delivered by the fortified beverage can improve magnesium levels in the body and supplement lost magnesium, redudng the negative effects assodated with low magnesium levels and promoting the beneficial effects of magnesium.

[33] In an embodiment, the magnesium used in the fortified beverage may be in ionic form, and may not be delivered in salt form (e.g., as magnesium citrate), in an embodiment, minerals may be obtained in dehydrated form from natural sites, induding the Great Salt Lake in the U.S. state of Utah. Minerals, including without limitation magnesium and chloride, obtained in this manner may be in a more natural ionic state, and may offer the benefit of increased bioavailability, induding improved digestive absorption.

[34] The fortified beverage may also include electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and chloride, In addition to magnesium. As electrolytes, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride may facilitate electrical conduction In the body, and promote digestive absorption.

In an embodiment, sodium may facilitate muscle and nerve function. In the proper amounts, sodium may also maintain normal blood pressure. Potassium may also facilitate musde and nerve function, support kidney and heart function, and may help maintain normal blood pressure and may counteract the blood pressure-increasing effect of excessive sodium.

Chloride may help maintain a normal balance of fluids in the body, may facilitate the movement into and out of cells, and may support digestion. In addition, since chloride ions are negatively charged and sodium, potassium, and magnesium ions are positively charged, the fortified beverage may contain chloride in an amount larger than the amount of sodium, potassium, or magnesium.

[35] Sodium, potassium, and magnesium are positive ion electrolytes and chloride is a negative ion electrolyte, and in combination these electrolytes may supporting electrical impulse conduction and facilitate the absorption of other components of the fortified beverage. In an embodiment, the magnesium present in the fortified beverage may facilitate the intracellular transport of the sodium and potassium electrolytes. For example, the magnesium and potassium electrolytes may be present in approximately 2:1 potassium: magnesium ratio by weight which may promote the benefits of each electrolyte.

[36] In an embodiment, sodium and chloride may be provided to the fortified beverage in the form of sea salt, and potassium may be provided as tripotassium titrate. In another embodiment, the potassium may be provided in the form of potassium citrate. The magnesium may be provided in the form of a mineral powder mix, and the mineral powder mix may further include additional amounts of sodium, potassium, and chloride. For example, the mineral powders can be obtained in the form of trace minerals and electrolytes harvested from the Great Salt Late in the U.S. state of Utah, or as other naturally occurring trace minerals and magnesium.

[37] In an embodiment, filtered water and organic juice may comprise the liquid base of the fortified beverage. The filtered water may be produced by reverse osmosis, although other filtration or purification methods may be employed, and the organic lemon juke may be produced from concentrate or received in unconcentrated form. The organic juice may provide a flavor component, which may be the predominant flavor of the fortified beverage.

In an embodiment, the organic juice may be organic apple, grapefruit, lemon, lime, cherry, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, cranberry, grape, watermelon, wintermelon, mango, kiwifruit, melon, honeydew, orange, pineapple, papaya, otai, pomegranate, prune, pear, carrot, beet, celery, cucumber, passionfruit, guava, spinach, dandelion, spinach, kale, dam, parsley, tomato, turnip, sugarcane, watercress, wheatgrass juice, or other juice from biological sources, or a combination thereof, to provide different flavoring for the beverage.

The fortified beverage may further include additional organic flavoring, including flavoring based on one or more of the juices listed above, which may be complementary to the organic juice, or the organic flavoring may take the place of the organic juice as the predominant flavor of the fortified beverage.

[38] In an embodiment, the fortified beverage may include a plant-based sweetener or another natural sweetener. For example, the fortified beverage may include organic rebaudioside A, a steviol glycoside. Rebaudioside A may act as a sweetener, and may balance the other ingredients and improve the overall taste of the fortified beverage. In an embodiment, rebaudioside A may have the benefit of reducing the impact of the fortified beverage on digestive and intestinal health, including intestinal absorption.

[39] A vehide for delivering the benefits described herein is a fortified beverage, which may include amla. Other components of the fortified beverage described herein may provide complementary benefits, which may improve the overall beneficial effect of the fortified beverage. [40] The amount of each component present in the fortified beverage, and the amount of each component relative to the other components, may influence the taste, texture, absorption, and efficacy of each ingredient, as well as the overall benefit conveyed by the fortified beverage. Table 3 lists the amount of certain components may be present in a 473 ml (16 fluid ounce) sample of the fortified beverage. As noted in Table 3, the sample of the fortified beverage in Table 3 contains amla in extract form.

[41] It is understood that the components and values in Table 3 are exemplary and approximate, and fortified beverages of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the values of Table 3 can be varied by +/- 20% of the values listed, and in another embodiment the values of Table 3 can be varied by +/- 20% of the recommended daily allowance. It is further understood that the values of Table 3 may be scaled to different volumes.

[42] A 473 ml sample as in the foregoing embodiment may indude 2 grams of total carbohydrates. In an embodiment, all of the carbohydrate content may be total sugars attributable to the organic rebaudioside A. In an embodiment, the 473 ml sample may provide 10 calories. Additional description of certain components that may be present In a sample of the fortified beverage according to embodiments of the present disclosure is contained in the appendix.

[43] As an example, a certain amount of a standardized amla extract was collected and analyzed. In this example, the amla appeared as a free flowing powder with occasional lumps, having a cream to light yellow color, a characteristic odor, and an astringent taste. Table 4 lists measured values for amla properties pursuant to this example. It is understood that the properties and values in Table 4 are exemplary and approximate, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[44] Embodiments of methods of making a fortified beverage according to the present disdosure may now be described.

[45] In an embodiment, the ingredients described above may be provided. It is understood that the amount of each ingredient may be varied in relation to the desired volume of the fortified beverage to be made.

[46] A vessel may be charged with filtered water and the filtered water may be warmed to a temperature greater than room temperature. The following components may be added to the vessel: one or more electrolyte and vitamin powders comprising one or more of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride; one or more mineral powders comprising at least magnesium; and amla. The electrolyte and vitamin powders may indude sea salt and may further indude vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

[47] In an embodiment, each ingredient of the fortified beverage may be organically sourced, and the fortified beverage may qualify for one or more organic certifications. In an embodiment, organic certifications may be qualified for facilities, ingredients, and formula.

For example, all manufacturing facilities associated with the fortified beverage may be qualified to receive one or more organic certifications or organic compliant certifications. As another example, all ingredients of the fortified beverage may be qualified to receive one or more organic certifications or organic compliant certifications. In addition, the entire formula of the fortified beverage may be qualified to receive one or more organic certifications or organic compliant certifications. Consumption of the fortified beverage according to example embodiments may provide many health benefits, including hydration, increased energy, replenishment of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, and the various health benefits of the components described herein. In addition, the fortified beverage may improve absorption of fluids by the digestive system, enhancing its positive effects. The fortified beverage may be used as a sports drink, either to improve endurance and athletic performance or to promote muscle recovery, or as a nutritional component of a balanced diet.

[48] Embodiments of the fortified beverage may be consumed by humans, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It is understood that the fortified beverage may be consumed by domestic animals and livestock as well as humans, and it is further understood that the term "body" as used herein may refer to a human body or an animal body.

[49] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as may be apparent. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, may be apparent from the foregoing representative descriptions. Such modifications and variations are Intended to fall within the scope of the appended representative claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended representative claims, along with the foil scope of equivalents to which such representative claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.