Food

Abstract

A food product which incorporates polyunsaturated fatty acids and an encapsulated pro-oxidant, said food product having a water activity of 0.75 or less. The pro-oxidants may be metal salts such as copper, manganese, iron and / or zinc salts. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil. The present invention is directed especially to nutrition products, such as nutrition bars and soups, sweet powders and other food products, with a water activity (aw) of 0.75 or less, as well as to processes for preparing such products, wherein the products incorporate omega-3 and / or omega-6 and / or other polyunsaturated fatty acids in combination with encapsulated pro-oxidants, such as salts of copper, iron, manganese and zinc. The formulations according to the invention can be expected to have a very good shelf life, yet include polyunsaturated fatty acids which generally have a tendency to oxidize, together with normally pro-oxidant compounds in encapsulated form. Previously, it would have been expected that where pro-oxidants and omega-3 or other unsaturated fatty acids are combined in the same formulation, the fatty acids would oxidize and the shelf life of the food product would be unacceptable.

Description

field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to foods for controlling or maintaining body weight. Background of the invention

[0002] Weight loss is increasingly the focus of modern preventive medicine. Being overweight is frequently cited in reports of a surge in type 2 diabetes cases. Moreover, obesity is frequently brought up in discussions of other modern diseases such as heart disease.

[0003] Over the years, there has been intense debate over which of the nutrients, fat or carbohydrates, to prioritize to minimize to promote weight loss. In recent years, many consumers have focused on those advocating reduced carbohydrates and higher intakes of unsaturated fats and / or proteins.

[0004] An increasingly popular form of nutrient intake for those seeking to reduce body weight is the nutrition bar. Nutritional bars provide a convenient meal replacement or serve as a vehicle for a snack to supplement a meal. Although consumers express a preference for snack...