Health drink and method of manufacture and / or use thereof

Abstract

A health drink is provided including shilajit and at least one flavouring or flavour masking agent that masks the taste of the shilajit. The carrier agent in which the shilajit is dissolved may be the

Description

This invention relates to a health drink and to a method of manufacture and / or use thereof. Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a health drink for consumption by a human subject, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the drink could be provided for use by animals. It will be also appreciated that the drink could be considered a therapeutic composition suitable for oral consumption by humans and / or animals. The consumption of health drinks and supplements are well known and are widely used to promote health and well being in the people who consume them. An example of a known health supplement is shilajit. It is found primarily in rocks of the Himalayas formed over centuries from decaying plant matter, and is typically consumed in purified form, either as a solid or as a Equid dissolved in water. The benefits of shilajit are thought to include improvements in cognitive health, increases in testosterone levels, increases in mitochondrial function to improve energy levels, anti-ageing properties, reduce the effects of high altitude, increase iron levels tn the blood, improve fertility and unprove heart health. However, shilajit is known to taste like burnt rubber to a human consumer and so despite the health benefits, this is off putting to many potential users of the supplement and so there is relatively low regular uptake of this supplement by human consumers. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a health drink that overcomes the abovementioned problems. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing and / or using a health drink that overcomes the abovementioned problems. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a therapeutic composition suitable for oral consumption and / or a method of manufacturing and / or using a therapeutic composition suitable for oral consumption that overcomes the abovementioned problems. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a health drink according to claim 1. Thus, the present invention provides a health drink that contains shilajit that is palatable and pleasant tasting, thereby improving the regular consumption of the health drink and providing the health benefits of the shilajit to the consumer. Preferably the shilajit is used in a pharmaceutically or therapeutically acceptable amount in the health drink. In one embodiment the shilajit is used in an amount of 0.2-1.Og + / -0.1g per 250ml of drink. In one example the shilajit is used m an amount of 0.()8° 0-().4° ■> + / -0.01% w / v in the drink. In one embodiment the shilajit is used in an amount of 0.6-0.8g + / -0.1g per 250ml of drink. In one example the shilajit is used in an amount of 0.24%-0.32% + / -0.01% w / v in the drink. In one embodiment the shilajit is used in an amount of about 0.3-0.5g + / -0.1g per 250ml of drink. In one example the shilajit is used in an amount of 0.12%-0.2% + / -0.01% w / v in the drink. In one embodiment the at least one carrier agent includes water, purified water, distilled water. In one embodiment the at least one carrier agent includes or consists of dairy milk, non-dairy milk and / or an aqueous liquid or solution (i.e. other than just water. 03 05 24 Thus, in one example, the health drink could consist just of shilajit and dairy and / or non-dairy milk. In one example, the health drink could include shilajit, water and the at least one flavouring agent or flavour masking agent. In one embodiment the at least one carrier agent is used in an amount sufficient to dissolve, substantially dissolve or completely dissolve the shilajit therein (i.e. to form a solution). In one embodiment the at least one carrier agent is used in an amount of 5 245ml + / -5ml in the drink, and further preferably is used in an amount of 50-100ml + / -5ml. In one embodiment the at least one carrier agent is used in an amount of 2%-99% w / v in the drink, and further preferably 20%-40% + / -5% w / v In one example, the at least one carrier agent is, includes or is in the form of water, purified water, distilled water, the dairy milk the non-dairy milk and / or an aqueous Equid or solution and is used in an amount of about 70-90ml + / -5ml per 250ml of the drink. Further preferably the water, purified water, distilled water, the dairy milk, the non-dairy milk and / or an aqueous liquid or solution is used in an amount of 75ml + / -5ml per 250ml of the drink. In one example, the at least one carrier agent is in the form of water, purified water, distilled water, the dairy milk, the non-dairy milk and / or an aqueous Equid or solution and is used in an amount of about 28%-36% w / v, and further preferably 30% w / v. In one embodiment the at least one carrier agent includes or consists of a dairy product or dairy Equid, such as for example milk, or a non-dairy Equid. Preferably the dairy milk includes or consists of skimmed milk, semi-skimmed milk, full fat milk, Ultra High Temperature (UHT) processed milk, pasteurised milk, unpasteurised milk and / or the Eke. 03 05 24 In one embodiment the non-dairy milk includes or consists of a plant-based milk, oat milk, almond milk, nut milk, rice milk, pea milk, soy milk, cashew milk, macadamia milk, quinoa milk, coconut milk and / or the like. Preferably the non-dairy milk is used in a manner equivalent to the use of dun milk, such as for example for volume, colour, texture, consistency and / or the Eke. In one embodiment the drink and / or the at least one carrier agent includes a mixture of a dairy milk and a non-dairy milk. For example, the drink can include a mixture of dairy milk and nut milk. In one embodiment the dairy7 milk and / or non-dairy milk is included in an amount of about 150-250ml + / -10ml per 250ml of the drink, and preferably about 200ml + / - 10ml per 250ml of the drink. In one example the dairy milk and / or non-dairy milk is included in an amount of about 60%-99% + / -5%w / v, and preferably about 80% + / -5%w / v. In one embodiment one or more nuts, ground nuts or nut products are included in the drink. In one embodiment the one or more nuts or nut products are included in the drink in the form of a nut milk. Preferably the water, purified water, distilled water and / or an aqueous Equid used in the drink is the Equid used, at least in part, to make the nut milk used in the drink Thus, preferably there is an amount of about 70-90ml + / -5ml of nut milk per 250ml of the drink. Further preferably the nut milk is used in an amount of 75ml + / -5ml per 250ml of the drink. In one example, the nut milk is used in an amount of 28-36% w / v, and further preferably 30% w / v. Preferably the one or more nuts or nut products are ground, and further optionally sieved or filtered, prior to including in the drink or being added to a liquid or the water for inclusion in the drink. Preferably the one or more nuts or nut products include any or any combination of cashew nuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachio nuts and / or the like. In one embodiment the at least one flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent also includes a natural flavouring agent or flavour masking agent, any or any combination of a plant based flavouring, liquorice, agaric acid, beta-asarone, honey, cormarin, hypericin, quassine, pulegone, thujone, aloin, hydrocyanic acid, santonin, lemon, lemongrass, lime juice, fruit juice, strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, banana, raspberry, methyl eugenol, dates and / or the like. However, other natural and / or synthetic flavouring agents of the above, other flavouring agents or combination of flavouring agents could be used if required. Preferably the at least one flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent has known health and / or therapeutic benefits of its / their own. For example, anise seed is known to have anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, fennel seed is known to improve digestive health, regulate blood pressure, improves the appearance of skin and / or the like. For example, dates are high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and provide fiber. In one embodiment the at least one flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent is used in an amount of l-10g + / -0.5g per 250ml of drink, and further preferably 1-3g + / -0.5g per 250ml of drink. In one example, the at least one flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent is used in an amount of 0.4%-4% + / -0.2% w / v, and further preferably 0.4%-1.2% + / -0.2% w / v. In one embodiment the at least one flavouring agent or flavour masking agent consists of fennel and / or fennel seeds. 03 05 24 In one embodiment the fennel and / or fennel seeds is used in an amount of 0.3-2.0g + / -0.1g per 250ml of drink, and further preferably 1 -5g per 250ml of drink. In one example the fennel and / or fennel seeds is used in an amount of 0.12%-0.8O / o + / -0.04% w / v, and further preferably 0.6% + / -0.04% w / v. In one embodiment the at least one flavouring agent or flavour masking agent consists of star aniseed, anise seeds and / or aniseed. In one embodiment the star aniseed, anise seeds and / or aniseed is used in an amount of 0.3-2.0g + / - 0.1g per 250 ml of drink, and further preferably 1.5g + / -0.1g per 250 ml of drink. In one example the star aniseed, anise seeds and / or aniseed is used in an amount of 0.12%-0.8% + / -0.04% w / v, and further preferably 0.6% + / -0.04% w / v. In one embodiment the drink further includes at least one sweetener or sweetening agent. Preferably the at least one sweetener or sweetening agent is a natural sweetener or sweetening agent, such as for example, honey or dates. However, other sweeteners could be used as required, such as for example, any or any combination of acesulfame K, aspartame, saccharin, sorbitol, sucralose, stevia, xylitol, glucose, sugar, sugar cane and / or the like. In one embodiment the at least one sweetener or sweetening agent is used in an amount of 4-10g + / -lg per 250 ml of drink, preferably 6-8g + / -lg per 250ml pf drink, and further preferably 7g + / -1g per 250ml of drink. In one example the at least one sweetener or sweetening agent is used in an amount of 1.6%-4% + / -0.4% w / v, preferably 2.4%-3.2% + / -0.4% w / v, and further preferably 2.8% + / -0.4% w / v. In one embodiment the drink includes an amount of one or more fresh and / or dried fruits, such as for example, dates, apricots, raisins, sultanas, figs, prunes, peaches 03 05 24 and / or the like. The fresh or dried fruit can be used to provide flavour as a flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent, provide texture, fibre, as a natural sweetener or sweetening agent or and / or the like. In one embodiment any solid components of the drink, such as for example the fruit, dried fruit, dates, seeds and / or stones in the fruit added into the drink during the manufacturing process are removed from the final drink product at or towards the end of the manufacturing process. For example, the drink can be sieved and / or filtered during manufacture. In one embodiment the dried fruit, fresh fruit and / or dates are added during the manufacturing process of the health drink. Preferably the dried fruit, fresh fruit and / or dried dates are allowed to soak in the liquid drink for a pre-determined period of time to allow flavour and / or sweetness from the same to pass into the drink prior to removal of the fruit or dates at or towards the end of the manufacturing process. For example, the pre-determined time could be 30 minutes + / -5 minutes. In one embodiment the amount of fresh and / or dried fruit is used in an amount of 8-20g + / -1g per 250 ml of drink, and further preferably in an amount of 12-13g+ / -1g per 250 ml of drink. In one example the amount of fresh and / or dried fruit is used in an amount of 3.2%-8% + / - 0.4% w / v, and further preferably in an amount of 4.8%- 5.2% + / -0.4% w / v. In one embodiment the drink includes no preservatives or preservative agents. In one embodiment the drink includes at least one preservative agent. For example, the at least one preservative agent could include sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and / or the like. In one embodiment the drink includes at least one additive. For example, the drink can include one or more vitamins and / or minerals and / or the like. In one embodiment the drink includes one or more anti-oxidants, such as for example, ascorbic acid, hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tertbutylhydroxy quinone (TBHQ), propyl gallate (PG) and / or the like. In one embodiment the drink includes one or more colouring agents. Preferably the one or more colouring agents are natural colouring agents, such as for example, one or more plant based colouring agents. Preferably the one or more colouring agents include any or any combination of curcumin, riboflavins, cochineal, chlorophylls, caramels, carotenoids, beetroot red, betanin, anthocyanins, vegetable carbon, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, iron hydroxide and / or the like. In one embodiment the drink is white or substantially white tn colour and further preferably has the appearance of a milk drink. In one example, one or more texturizing agents are included in the drink, such as for example a starch-based agent, one or more emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, bulking agents and / or the like. Preferably the drink is stored in a container, such as for example a glass bottle, plastic bottle and / or the like. In one embodiment the health drink consists entirely of natural products, agents and / or components, such as for example, plant-based products, natural minerals and / or the Eke. In one embodiment the health dunk includes shilajit, water, at least one dairy milk and / or non-dairy milk, at least one flavouring agent or flavour masking agent, and at least one sweetening agent. In one embodiment the health drink includes or consists of shilajit, water, a dairy milk and / or non-dairy milk, star aniseed, dried dates, fennel seeds and honey. Preferably the non-dairy milk is nut milk. In one embodiment the health drink includes or consists of 0.625g shilajit, 75ml water, 200ml dairy and / or non-dairy milk, 1.5g star aniseed, 0.3g dried dates, 1.5g fennel seeds and 7g of honey. In one embodiment the health drink includes or consists of 0.2-0.3% w / v shilajit, 25-30% v / v water, 70-74% v / v dairy and / or non-dairy milk, 0.5-0.6% w / v star aniseed, 0.1-0.2% w / v dried dates, 0.5-0.6% w / v fennel seeds and 2.5-2.6% w / v of honey. Preferably the non-dairy milk comprises 3.75g cashews, 3.75g walnuts, 2.5g pistachios and 2.5g almonds per 250ml drink and / or 1.3-1.4% cashews w / v, 1.3-14% w / v walnuts, 0.9-1.0% pistachios w / v and 0.9-1.0% w / v almonds. Preferably reference to health drink and therapeutic composition can be used interchangeably in this document. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a health drink according to claim 24. Preferably the shilajit is dissolved or substantially dissolved in the at least one carrier agent at about 100°C, although it could be dissolved at room temperature (i.e. 21 degrees Celsius) or in hike warm water (for example 35-42 degrees Celsius). For example, the shilajit can be dissolved m boiling water. Preferably the method includes mixing a dairy milk and non-dairy milk together, and further preferably includes heating the same. Preferably the dairy and non-dairy milk is heated to a temperature or about 80-90°C, and further preferably about 84°C. Preferably the non-dairy milk is formed by grinding one or more nuts or nut products and mixing the same with water. Preferably once the one or more ground nuts or nut products are mixed with water, the mixture is sieved, filtered and / or the like at least once to remove pulp and / or solid matter. For example, the mixture could be sieved using a sieve or cheese cloth. Preferably the nut mixture is sieved and / or filtered such that all or substantially all of the pulp and / or solid matter is removed from the liquid. The remaining liquid forms the non-dairy milk or nut milk for inclusion in the drink. Preferably any or any combination of the star aniseed, dried fruit or the fennel seeds are allowed to soak in the liquid of the drink, such as for example in the milk, for a pre-determined period of time sufficient to soften the same and form a softened, soaked flavoured mixture. For example, the pre-determined period of time could be 30 minutes in one example. Preferably the softened, soaked flavoured mixture is then sieved and / or filtered such that all or substantially all of the pulp and / or solid matter is removed from the flavoured mixture. Preferably the flavoured mixture is then added to the shilajit. Preferably honey is added to the mixture with the shilajit. Preferably the composition or drink has a shelflife of approximately 3 weeks without the use of preservatives if kept refrigerated, such as for example at approximately 5°C. Preferably one or more preservative agents can be added to the drink or composition to increase the shelf life of the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of using a health drink. Preferably the method includes a human or animal consuming the health drink via an oral route. 03 05 24 A detailed embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Example 1. Example 1 To make up a batch of 40 x 250ml bottle batch: 8L UHT semi-skimmed milk; 3L water; 150g cashew nuts; 100g almonds; 150g walnuts; 100g pistachios; 60g star aniseed; 143g dried dates; 60g fennel seeds; 20 tablespoons (283.5g) of honey; 25g shilaj it. There is some evaporation of the liquid during the cooking process. Methodology 1. Pour the UHT semi-skimmed milk into a metal reservoir and add the star aniseed, dned dates and fennel seeds and leave the same to soak until soft, which in one example is approximately 30 minutes. 2. Place all the whole nuts in a separate reservoir, grind the nuts and add the water and blend together to form a nut mixture. Strain the nut mixture using a fine sieve or cheese cloth until all or substantially all of the pulp / solid matter has been removed, thereby leaving a liquid nut milk. 3. Mix the nut milk with the UHT milk and heat the milk mixtures at a temperature where the milk is heated but does not congeal, typically at about 84°C m one example. 4. Add the shilajit and 25Ck300ml of boiling water in a separate reservoir until the shilajit starts to melt and form a concentrate solution of shilajit. 5. Add the concentrate solution of shilajit to the milk mixtures and continue to heat to about 84°C. 6. Add the honey to the heating liquid until fully dissolved to form the finished drink. 7. Pour the finished drink into glass bottles for consumption. The resulting health drink is formed entirely from natural products and has health benefits associated with the shilajit and also the other natural components contained in the drink, such as the aniseed, fennel seeds, nuts, honey and dates. It will be appreciated that the health drink can also be provided as a therapeutic composition in liquid form suitable for oral consumption. It will also be appreciated that additional and / or alternative ingredients can be provided to increase the shelf life of the product, to provide different flavours of the product, to change the viscosity of the product, to change the colour and / or texture of the product and / or the like. 03 05 24

Claims

1. A health drink, said health drink including shilajit and at least one carrier agent in which the shilajit is dissolved or substantially dissolved, wherein the health drink and / or the at least one carrier agent includes a dairy milk and / or a non-dairy milk, and the health drink further includes at least one flavouring agent or flavour masking agent in an amount sufficient to mask or substantially mask the taste of the shilajit; and wherein the at least one flavouring agent or flavour masking agent is star aniseed, anise seeds, aniseed, fennel and / or fennel seeds.

2. A health drink according to claim 1, wherein the shilajit is used in an amount of 0.2-1,0g + / -0.1g per 250ml of drink; or the shilajit is used in an amount of 0.08%-0.4% + / -0.01% w / v.

3. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one carrier agent includes water, purified water or distilled water.

4. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one carrier agents includes or consists of an aqueous Equid or solution other than just water.

5. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one carrier agent is used in an amount sufficient to dissolve, substantially dissolve or completely dissolve the shilajit therein.wherein the dairy milk includes orconsists of skimmed milk, semi-skimmed milk, full fat milk; Ultra High Temperature (UHT) processed milk, pasteurised milk and / or unpasteurised milk.

6. A health drink according to claim 1,7. A health drink according to claim 1, wherein the non-dairy milk includes or consists of plant-based milk, oat milk, almond milk, nut milk, rice milk, pea milk, soy milk, cashew milk, macadamia milk, quinoa milk and / or coconut milk.

8. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more nuts, nut products or ground nuts are included in the drink.

9. A health drink according to claim 8, wherein the one or more nuts, nut products or ground nuts include any or any combination of cashew nuts, almonds, walnuts, or pistachio nuts.

10. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the nut milk is used in an amount of 28-36% w / v in the drink.

11. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent also includes a natural flavouring agent or flavour masking agent, a synthetic flavouring agent or flavour masking agent, a plant based flavouring, liquorice, agaric acid, betaasarone, honey, cormarin, hypericin, quassine, pulegone, thujone, aloin, hydrocyanic acid, santonin, lemon, lemongrass, lime juice, fruit juice, strawberry, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, banana, methyl eugenol, and / or dates.

12. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent has known health and / or therapeutic benefits of its own.

13. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent is used in an amount of 1-03 05 2410g+ / -0.5g per 250ml of drink; and / or is used in an amount of 0.4-4% + / -0.2% w / v.

14. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent includes or consists of fennel or fennel seeds and is used in an amount of 0.3-2.0g + / -0.1g per 250ml or drink and / or 0.12-0.8% + / -0.04% w / v.

15. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one flavouring agent and / or flavour masking agent includes or consists of star aniseed, aniseed or anise seeds and is used in an amount of 0.3-2.0g + / -0.1g per 250ml or drink and / or 0.12-0.8% + / -0.04% w / v.

16. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the drink further includes at least one sweetener or sweetening agent.

17. A health drink according to claim 16, wherein the at least one sweetener or sweetening agent includes any or any combination of a natural sweetener or natural sweetening agent, acesulfame K, aspartame, saccharin, sorbitol, sucralose, stevia, xylitol, glucose, sugar and / or sugar cane.

18. A health drink according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the at least one sweetener or sweetening agent is used in an amount of 4-10g + / -1g per 250ml of drink; and / or 1.6-4% + / -0.4% w / v.

19. A health drink according to any preceding claim, wherein the drink includes an amount of one or more fresh and / or dried fruits, dates, apricots, raisins, sultanas, figs, prunes and / or peaches.

20. A health drink according to claim 19, wherein the fresh and / or dried fruit are used in an amount of 8-20g + / -lg per 250ml of drink; and / or 3.2-8% + / -0.4% w / v.

21. A health drink according to any preceding claim, including any or any combination of one or more preservatives, additives, anti-oxidants, colouring agents, texturizing agents.

22. A health drink according to claim 1, including shilajit, water, dairy milk and / or non-dairy milk, at least one flavouring agent or flavour masking agent, and at least one sweetening agent.

23. A health drink according to claim 1, including 0.2-0.3% w / v shilajit, 0.5-0.6% w / v aniseed, 0.1-0.2% w / v dried dates, 0.5-0.6% w / v fennel seeds, 2.5-2.6% w / v honey, 27-30% v / v of water and 70-74% v / v of milk and / or non-dairy milk.

24. A method of manufacturing a health drink, said method including taking an amount of shilajit and dissolving or substantially dissolving the same in at least one carrier agent, the method further including mixing at least one flavouring agent or flavour masking agent into the drink in an amount sufficient to mask the taste of the shilajit; wherein the drink and / or the at least one carrier agent includes a dairy milk and / or a non-dairy milk, and wherein the at least one flavouring agent or flavour masking agent is star aniseed, anise seeds, aniseed, fennel and / or fennel seeds25. The method of claim 24, wherein any solid components of the drink and / or fruit added into the drink are sieved and / or filtered and removed to produce the finished drink.