Bicarbonate bath additive and method for producing the same

Abstract

To provide a bicarbonate bath additive that allows reduction of chemical stress to sustain a parasympathetic-dominant condition, and causes capillaries to dilate to double their size so as to quickly enhance blood circulation; and its production method.SOLUTION: The bicarbonate bath additive is produced by using materials comprising a bicarbonate salt (sodium hydrogen carbonate), an organic acid (citric acid), a lubricant (sodium alkanesulfonates having 14 to 18 carbon atoms, sodium tetradecenesulfonate, sodium n-octanesulfonate), and chlorine-neutralizing compounds (L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, erythorbate), wherein a weight ratio of the organic acid (citric acid) to the bicarbonate salt (sodium hydrogen carbonate) is 1 / 8 to 2 / 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicarbonate bath additive and a method for producing the same, and more particularly to a bicarbonate bath additive that can reduce chemical stress and a method for producing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, interest in health has increased significantly, and care is taken to ensure that items that come into contact with the skin do not contain unnecessary chemicals. It is known that if unnecessary chemicals are present, these chemicals act as chemical stressors, causing a reaction in the body and resulting in various adverse physical and mental effects (known as chemical stress).

[0003] For example, tap water taken from a water source is disinfected with chlorine using sodium hypochlorite. This is done through primary chlorination at a water purification plant to disinfect the water and remove organic compounds. A secondary chlorine treatment is then added just before the water is supplied to homes to maintain residual chlorine and prevent diseases caused by pathogens.

[0004] However, the chlorine used to disinfect the water sources mentioned above has the property of destroying proteins in skin and hair, so when chlorine reacts with the proteins in skin and hair, it can cause various skin problems, as well as roughening and aging the skin and hair. Furthermore, chlorine generates trihalomethanes, which are said to be a cause of cancer.

[0005] The effects of chlorine occur even when washing hands or faces, but it is particularly necessary to remove chlorine when bathing, as people are in contact with chlorine-containing tap water for a long time. Therefore, the present inventors have invented a bicarbonate bath additive that can effectively remove chlorine from tap water (Patent Document 1 below). This bicarbonate bath additive contains a chlorine-neutralizing compound selected from L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, and erythorbate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6525945 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Nobuhiro Maruyama and Shigeji Koboshi, "No. 29 Development of Bicarbonate Ion-Citric Acid Bath Additives and Measures for Prevention of Illness," Journal of the Japanese Society of Balneology, Climatology, and Physical Medicine, Vol. 78, No. 1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The bicarbonate bath additives mentioned above can effectively remove chlorine from tap water, but they usually contain organic acids that neutralize bicarbonate and produce carbon dioxide gas, as well as lubricants that improve the powder's fluidity and compressibility. Various substances are used as materials for these organic acids and lubricants, and the degree of chemical stress varies depending on the type of substance.

[0009] All bodily reactions, including organ responses, blood flow, and hormone secretion, are unconscious responses commanded by the autonomic nervous system. Increased blood flow and hormone secretion occur under parasympathetic nervous system dominance, so even a bicarbonate bath using bicarbonate bath additives will not increase blood flow sufficiently when the sympathetic nervous system is dominant under stress. In other words, using bath additives containing a large amount of chemically stressful substances or bathing in tap water with residual chlorine will not effectively induce nitric oxide (NO) secretion in the vascular endothelium to increase blood flow.

[0010] Therefore, when taking a bicarbonate bath, it is important to bathe in a way that switches on the parasympathetic nervous system in the presence of a sufficient concentration of bicarbonate ions. This technique switches on the body's homeostatic functions, causing the capillary endothelium to secrete NO, a sphincter-relaxing hormone, which dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow, thereby warming the body and raising body temperature. By maintaining a high body temperature and a parasympathetic-dominant state, the natural immune system of lymphocytes is activated, improving immunity and increasing self-healing power, thereby improving symptoms of illness and ailments.

[0011] Here, using the tablets of Patent Document 1 makes it possible to more effectively remove residual chlorine from tap water than other commercially available bicarbonate bath additives, but in order to reduce chemical stress, maintain a state of parasympathetic dominance, and expand capillaries to double their size to instantly increase blood flow, it is necessary to appropriately select the materials that make up the bicarbonate bath additive and to appropriately set the weight ratio of those materials.

[0012] The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its main purpose is to provide a bicarbonate bath additive and a method for manufacturing the same that can reduce chemical stress, maintain a state of parasympathetic dominance, and expand capillaries to double size, thereby instantly increasing blood flow. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a bicarbonate bath additive comprising a tablet compressed from a material containing bicarbonate, an organic acid, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound, wherein the bicarbonate is sodium hydrogen carbonate, the organic acid is citric acid, the lubricant is at least one selected from sodium alkanesulfonate having 14 to 18 carbon atoms, sodium tetradecenesulfonate, and sodium normal-octanesulfonate, the chlorine-neutralizing compound is at least one selected from L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, and erythorbate, and the weight ratio of the organic acid to the bicarbonate is 1 / 8 to 2 / 7.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a bicarbonate bath additive comprising a tablet containing a bicarbonate, an organic acid, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound, wherein the bicarbonate is sodium hydrogen carbonate, the organic acid is citric acid, the lubricant is at least one selected from sodium alkanesulfonate having 14 to 18 carbon atoms, sodium tetradecenesulfonate, and sodium n-octanesulfonate, and the chlorine-neutralizing compound is at least one selected from L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, and erythorbate, the weight ratio of the organic acid to the bicarbonate being 1 / 8 to 2 / 7, a granulated product of the bicarbonate is prepared, the granulated product is mixed with a mixture containing the organic acid, the lubricant, and the chlorine-neutralizing compound, and the mixture is then compressed to produce the tablet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The bicarbonate bath additive and its manufacturing method of the present invention can reduce chemical stress, maintain a state of parasympathetic dominance, and double the size of capillaries, thereby instantly increasing blood flow.

[0016] This is because the bicarbonate bath salts are manufactured using ingredients containing bicarbonate (sodium hydrogen carbonate), organic acid (citric acid), lubricants (sodium alkanesulfonate having 14 to 18 carbon atoms, sodium tetradecene sulfonate, sodium normal octanesulfonate), and chlorine neutralizing compounds (L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, erythorbate), with a weight ratio of organic acid (citric acid) to bicarbonate (sodium hydrogen carbonate) of 1 / 8 to 2 / 7. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mechanism of increased blood flow due to transdermal absorption of bicarbonate ions. [Figure 2] This is a graph showing the relationship between the type of organic acid in a bicarbonate bath additive in one embodiment of the present invention and the amount of blood flow when bathing in water containing the bicarbonate bath additive. [Figure 3] This is a graph showing the relationship between the weight ratio of organic acid (citric acid) to sodium bicarbonate in a bicarbonate bath additive according to one embodiment of the present invention and the amount of blood flow when bathing in water containing the bicarbonate bath additive. [Figure 4] This is a graph showing the relationship between the weight ratio of lubricant (sodium tetradecene sulfonate) to a bicarbonate bath additive in one embodiment of the present invention and the blood flow rate when bathing in water containing the bicarbonate bath additive. [Figure 5] This figure shows the relationship between the composition ratio of lubricants (sodium tetradecene sulfonate and sodium octanesulfonate) in a bicarbonate bath additive according to one embodiment of the present invention and the blood flow rate when bathing in water containing the bicarbonate bath additive. [Figure 6] This is a graph showing the relationship between the weight ratio of a chlorine neutralizing compound (sodium L-ascorbate) to a bicarbonate bath additive in one embodiment of the present invention and the blood flow rate when bathing in water containing the bicarbonate bath additive. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between tablet hardness of a bicarbonate bath additive according to one embodiment of the present invention and blood flow when bathing in water containing the bicarbonate bath additive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Various lifestyle-related diseases are caused by a cold body. Coldness is the result of a prolonged stressful state in which the sympathetic nervous system is dominant. When the body warms up, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, improving the balance of the autonomic nervous system. This improves digestive symptoms, allergies such as atopic dermatitis, and mental disorders, and also enhances the body's self-healing and immune systems, leading to recovery from illness and ailments. A known method for improving coldness is a bicarbonate bath. In a bicarbonate bath, carbon dioxide is generated by the neutralization reaction of bicarbonate salts (sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate) that make up bicarbonate bath additives with organic acids. This produces NO in the vascular endothelium through transdermal absorption of bicarbonate ions, which promotes blood flow and raises body temperature.

[0019] This section explains the transdermal absorption of bicarbonate ions. Generally, carbon dioxide dissolved in water exists as dissolved inorganic carbon, but this dissolved inorganic carbon exists in three forms due to bicarbonate equilibrium, and it is said that this form changes depending on the pH of the solution. It is known that the abundance ratio of the three types of dissolved inorganic carbon varies depending on the pH: in the weakly acidic pH range or below, the proportion of bicarbonate ions is low and carbonic acid is high; in the neutral to weakly alkaline range, the proportion of bicarbonate ions is highest; and in the alkaline range, the bicarbonate ions are low and carbonate ions are high.

[0020] Furthermore, carbon dioxide is said to migrate from the skin surface to the capillaries via an accessory organ pathway that passes through the pores and sweat glands of the skin. However, since the pH range of blood coincides with the pH range in which the bicarbonate ion abundance ratio is highest, the inventors of the present application focused on the possibility that much of the carbon dioxide that migrates from the skin into the blood may exert physiological activity as bicarbonate ions and have beneficial effects on the living body, and investigated the effects of bicarbonate ions on the living body (see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0021] In vivo studies showed a significant increase in blood flow in mice compared to the control group, and a trend toward increased blood bicarbonate ion levels and NO production via phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in peripheral blood vessels was observed. Furthermore, in vitro studies using human umbilical artery endothelial cells showed that the presence of neutral bicarbonate ion water promoted the phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and increased NO production, and the reactive oxygen species scavenging activity of neutral bicarbonate ion water was significantly higher than that of the control. Additionally, a double-blind, randomized controlled study conducted on middle-aged men and women with subjective symptoms of sensitivity to cold showed that bathing in neutral bicarbonate ion water increased body temperature and improved sensitivity to cold and sleep quality.

[0022] These findings demonstrate that bicarbonate ions, when absorbed transdermally, act directly on the vascular endothelium, phosphorylating endothelial nitric oxide synthase and promoting blood flow by increasing NO production, suggesting their usefulness in improving various clinical symptoms in the cardiovascular field associated with poor circulation.

[0023] In order to efficiently absorb bicarbonate ions through the skin, it is important to maintain a state of parasympathetic dominance. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have invented a bicarbonate bath additive containing a chlorine-neutralizing compound selected from L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, and erythorbate in order to effectively remove chlorine contained in tap water, which is one of the causes of chemical stress (Patent Document 1).

[0024] This bicarbonate bath additive causes a vigorous and efficient neutralization reaction, continuously releasing the smallest possible carbon dioxide bubbles for a certain period of time, dissolving most of the generated carbon dioxide in the bathwater without escaping into the air. Furthermore, by designing the pH to be neutral immediately after dissolution, the bicarbonate ions in the bathwater become highly concentrated. Furthermore, by maintaining a neutral pH, carbon dioxide that comes into contact with the skin easily becomes bicarbonate ions, which, combined with the naturally occurring bicarbonate ions, increase the bicarbonate ion concentration, thereby increasing the absorption of bicarbonate ions from the skin into the blood vessels. Furthermore, the inclusion of a chlorine-neutralizing compound effectively removes residual chlorine from tap water.

[0025] A bicarbonate bath using such bicarbonate bath additives can increase blood flow and raise body temperature, but in order to sufficiently increase the bicarbonate ion concentration in the water and maintain that state for a long time, as well as effectively remove residual chlorine in tap water, expand capillaries to double their size, and rapidly increase blood flow (especially to more than five times the level required to raise body temperature and improve body chills), it is important to sufficiently reduce chemical stress.To achieve this, it is necessary to appropriately select the ingredients that make up the bicarbonate bath additives, as well as to appropriately set the weight ratio of those ingredients, and if necessary, to appropriately set the hardness of the tablets.

[0026] Therefore, in the present application, the ingredients of the bicarbonate bath additive are bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate), organic acid (citric acid), lubricant (sodium alkanesulfonate having 14 to 18 carbon atoms, sodium tetradecenesulfonate, sodium n-octanesulfonate), and chlorine-neutralizing compounds (L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, erythorbate). Based on the experimental results described below, the weight ratio of the organic acid to the bicarbonate is set to 1 / 8 to 2 / 7. Furthermore, the lubricant is sodium tetradecenesulfonate and / or sodium n-octanesulfonate, and the weight ratio of the lubricant to the tablet is set to 1 / 1000 to 1 / 100. The chlorine-neutralizing compound is sodium L-ascorbate, and the weight ratio of the chlorine-neutralizing compound to the tablet is set to 1 / 1500 to 1 / 30. Furthermore, the tablet hardness is set to 20 kgf or more, if necessary.

[0027] By using these materials, weight ratios, and setting the tablet hardness as needed, chemical stress can be sufficiently reduced and a parasympathetic nervous system dominant state can be maintained, causing nitric oxide (NO) to be secreted into the vascular endothelium, which doubles the size of the capillaries and instantly increases blood flow by more than five times. [Example]

[0028] To further explain the above-described embodiment of the present invention, bicarbonate bath additives and a method for producing the same according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mechanism of increased blood flow due to transdermal absorption of bicarbonate ions. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the types of organic acids in bicarbonate bath additives and the blood flow rate when bathing in a bath containing the bicarbonate bath additives. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the weight ratio of organic acids to sodium bicarbonate in the bicarbonate bath additives and the blood flow rate when bathing in a bath containing the bicarbonate bath additives. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the weight ratio of lubricant to the bicarbonate bath additives and the blood flow rate when bathing in a bath containing the bicarbonate bath additives. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the lubricant composition ratio in the bicarbonate bath additives and the blood flow rate when bathing in a bath containing the bicarbonate bath additives. Figure 6 shows the relationship between the weight ratio of chlorine neutralizing compound to bicarbonate bath additives and the blood flow rate when bathing in water with the bicarbonate bath additives dissolved in it, and Figure 7 shows the relationship between the tablet hardness of the bicarbonate bath additives and the blood flow rate when bathing in water with the bicarbonate bath additives dissolved in it.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the human vascular structure. The dermis / subcutaneous adipose tissue 2 is located inside the epidermis 1, and the blood vessels 5 are located inside the dermis / subcutaneous adipose tissue 2. The blood vessels 5 are composed of a vascular wall 6 with smooth muscle 7 and endothelial cells 8 located inside the vascular wall 6. The interior of the vascular endothelial cells 8 is the intravascular space 9. When a person bathes in hot water containing dissolved bicarbonate ions, as shown in Figure 1, the bicarbonate ions penetrate into the intravascular space 9 via sweat pores 4 and other organs. They phosphorylate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) present in the vascular endothelial cells 8 (P-eNOS), which then reacts with L-arginine (L-Al) to generate nitric oxide (NO). The generated NO is converted by guanylate cyclase (sGC) to cyclic guainosine monophosphate (cGMP) via guanosine triphosphate (GTP). The cGMP then relaxes the smooth muscle 7 in the vascular wall 6, resulting in dilation of the blood vessels 5 and increased blood flow.

[0030] Therefore, by using bicarbonate bath additives made from materials that can sufficiently reduce chemical stress, a parasympathetic nervous system dominance is maintained, and the effect of bicarbonate ions increases the secretion of nitric oxide into the vascular endothelium, dramatically promoting blood flow. Below, we will explain bicarbonate bath additives that provide the effects of bicarbonate ions.

[0031] The bicarbonate bath additive of this example is a mixture of bicarbonate, an organic acid, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound, which is then compressed and molded. If necessary, a water-soluble polymer or other material (hereinafter referred to as a granulation promoter) may be added to improve tablet formability and solubility in hot and cold water.

[0032] Sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, etc. can be used as the bicarbonate, with sodium bicarbonate being particularly preferred. This sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate or baking soda) acts as a foaming agent. When dissolved in hot water with an organic acid, it generates carbon dioxide through a neutralization reaction, dissociates into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions depending on the pH of the water, and dissolves in the water. These bicarbonate ions exhibit the ability to clean mineral sebum stains in pores, which are the source of odor. The bicarbonate content in bicarbonate bath additives is specified in relation to other ingredients. If the content is less than the specified amount, the pH upon dissolution in hot water will not reach the specified value, and the amount of bicarbonate ions dissolved in hot water will be significantly reduced. On the other hand, if the content exceeds the specified amount, the foaming of carbon dioxide gas will be significantly reduced.

[0033] The organic acid neutralizes bicarbonate and generates carbon dioxide effervescence, providing skin cleansing and softening effects when dissolved in hot water. While citric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and the like can be used as the organic acid, citric acid, which is a naturally occurring component with minimal chemical stress and excellent reactivity with bicarbonate, is particularly preferred. When citric acid is used, the neutralization reaction occurs more effectively than when other organic acids are used. The organic acid content is determined in relation to the other components, as described above. If the content is less than the specified amount, the amount of carbon dioxide effervescence during tablet dissolution decreases, resulting in a reduced amount of dissolved bicarbonate ions. On the other hand, if the content exceeds the specified amount, the amount of carbon dioxide effervescence increases, but the bubble diameter increases, making it difficult to neutralize the gas and resulting in a reduced amount of dissolved bicarbonate ions.

[0034] The lubricant is a substance that improves the fluidity and compressibility of powders. Examples of suitable lubricants include sodium alkanesulfonate having 14 to 18 carbon atoms, sodium tetradecenesulfonate, and sodium n-octanesulfonate. However, it is particularly preferable to use sodium tetradecenesulfonate and / or sodium octanesulfonate, which are subject to minimal chemical stress. The lubricant content is determined in relation to the other ingredients, as described above. If the lubricant content is less than the specified amount, the tablet hardness cannot be sufficiently increased, resulting in a rapid effervescence of carbon dioxide gas and a reduced amount of dissolved bicarbonate ions. On the other hand, if the lubricant content exceeds the specified amount, the tablet hardness becomes too high, suppressing the effervescence of carbon dioxide gas and reducing the amount of dissolved bicarbonate ions.

[0035] Furthermore, the chlorine-neutralizing compound may be L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, erythorbate, or the like, with L-ascorbate, which is a naturally occurring component that poses minimal chemical stress, being particularly preferred. Known L-ascorbic acid compounds can be used without any particular limitations. Examples of salts include sodium and calcium salts, with sodium salt (sodium L-ascorbate) being particularly preferred. L-ascorbic acid, widely known as vitamin C, can remove chlorine from tap water via the reactions shown in Reaction Schemes 1 and 2 below when added to tap water. Furthermore, reducing agents such as sodium thiosulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite, and tea catechin can also neutralize and detoxify chlorine through similar reactions.

[0036] [Reaction 1] C6H8O6 + NaClO → C6H6O6 + H2O + NaCl (Vitamin C reduces and removes sodium hypochlorite, which is added for primary sterilization)

[0037] [Reaction 2] C6H8O6 + Cl2 → C6H6O6 + 2HCl (reaction in which vitamin C removes chlorine added to maintain chlorine)

[0038] When ascorbic acid dissolves in tap water via reactions 1 and 2, it removes chlorine from the water. This prevents the skin problems caused by residual chlorine, such as oxidation, aging, and dandruff. Additionally, ascorbic acid itself exerts its beneficial effects, including increased skin firmness, prevention of fine wrinkles, skin whitening, and anti-aging. As shown in Reaction 2, a small amount of hydrochloric acid is generated during chlorine removal. However, the buffering effect of bicarbonate ions and organic acids buffers the pH of the dissolved water, preventing the pH of shower water or bath water from becoming acidic, maintaining a stable pH. The content of this chlorine-neutralizing compound is determined in relation to the amount of water per bicarbonate bath additive tablet. If the content is less than the specified amount, the chlorine in the tap water will not be sufficiently removed. On the other hand, adding more than the specified amount of chlorine-neutralizing compound results in wasted chlorine, since there is no chlorine to remove.

[0039] The granulation promoter functions to compress and mold materials such as bicarbonate, organic acid, lubricant, and chlorine-neutralizing compound to produce tablets, to facilitate dissolution of tablets in hot water, and to maximize dissolution of carbon dioxide gas components as bicarbonate ions when the tablets are dissolved in hot water. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) can be used as the granulation promoter, with PEG 6000 being particularly preferred. However, because polyethylene glycol is manufactured using solvents such as ethylene oxide, a carcinogen, and 1,4-dioxane, which is suspected of being carcinogenic, there are concerns about contamination by these solvents. Furthermore, polyethylene glycol's long-term persistence in the body raises concerns about its potential to cause allergies. Materials that can be used in place of polyethylene glycol include, for example, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol monostearate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylic acid and its salts, polyethyleneimine, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose and its salts, carboxyvinyl polymers, cationic polymers, styrene polymer emulsions, polyphosphoric acid and its salts, pyrophosphoric acid and its salts, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose and its salts, hydroxypropylcellulose, cellulose acetate phthalate, crystalline cellulose, propylene glycol alginate, starch, oxidized starch, esterified starch, etherified starch, cationic starch, glue, agar, gelatin, collagen protein, liquid paraffin, casein, pectin, alginic acid and its salts, carrageenan, furcellaran, tamarind gum, gum arabic, guar gum, xanthan gum, tragacanth gum, locust bean gum, karaya gum, quince seed, dextrin, and dextran. The content of this granulation promoter is specified in relation to the other ingredients, as described above. If the content is less than the specified amount, the diameter of the carbon dioxide bubbles will increase, the foaming time will be shortened, and the amount of bicarbonate ions will decrease. On the other hand, if the content is more than the specified amount, the generation of carbon dioxide will be suppressed, and the amount of bicarbonate ions will also decrease.

[0040] Next, a method for producing a bicarbonate bath additive using these materials will be described.

[0041] There are several methods for producing bicarbonate bath additives: (1) preparing a granulated product of bicarbonate (coating the bicarbonate with a granulation aid, if necessary, to prepare the granulated product) and then mixing the granulated product with a mixture of organic acid, lubricant, and chlorine-neutralizing compound; (2) preparing a granulated product of organic acid (coating the organic acid with a granulation aid, if necessary, to prepare the granulated product) and then mixing the granulated product with a mixture of bicarbonate, lubricant, and chlorine-neutralizing compound; and (3) preparing a granulated product of bicarbonate (coating the bicarbonate with a granulation aid, if necessary, to prepare the granulated product) and also preparing a granulated product of organic acid (coating the organic acid with a granulation aid, if necessary, to prepare the granulated product), and then mixing the granulated product with a lubricant and chlorine-neutralizing compound.

[0042] Either method can be used to produce a bicarbonate bath additive that exhibits the effects of bicarbonate ions, but method (1) produces micro-sized bubbles for a long period of time, maximizing the amount of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the water and significantly reducing the number of steps. Therefore, method (1), which involves preparing granulated bicarbonate (here, the bicarbonate is coated with a granulation accelerator to produce granules) and then mixing the granulated material with a mixture of an organic acid, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound, is preferred as the method for producing the bicarbonate bath additive of this example. The following explanation will be based on this method.

[0043] First, granules are prepared by coating bicarbonate with a granulation promoter. In this example, sodium hydrogen carbonate is used as the bicarbonate and PEG 6000 is used as the granulation promoter.

[0044] When granulating bicarbonate in a fluidized bed to obtain a granulated product, the use of a mechanical fluidized bed granulator, which does not substantially use air for agitation, can significantly increase the hardness of the tablets. Mechanical fluidized bed granulators do not use air for agitation, but instead fluidize the powder using mechanical blades such as propellers. This prevents moisture absorption from humid air during granulation, and also makes it possible to create a vacuum using a vacuum pump during granulation. As a result, granulation can be performed using a reduced amount of granulation promoter, which can more actively neutralize the mixture while reducing the diameter of the foaming bubbles. Furthermore, this method is preferred because it can produce tablets with high hardness.

[0045] A mechanical fluidized bed granulator that does not substantially use air for agitation is a mixer that has a plow-like shovel placed inside a horizontal drum to create centrifugal diffusion and vortex action, resulting in three-dimensional fluidization. For example, models manufactured by Deutsche Lödige GmbH or Matsuzaka Giken Co., Ltd. are sold on the market.

[0046] It is more preferable that the present granulator is equipped with a vacuum pump for reducing the pressure. That is, by reducing the pressure during cooling and operating it so that even the smallest amount of moisture evaporates, the effects of the present invention can be improved. Furthermore, it is preferable that the present granulator is equipped with a chopper for preventing the granulated granules from becoming coarse particles during cooling. That is, by operating the chopper during cooling to regulate the size, the effect of reducing the diameter of the carbon dioxide bubbles of the present invention to micro-size can be achieved.

[0047] Next, a mixture of an organic acid, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound is prepared. In this example, citric acid is used as the organic acid, sodium tetradecene sulfonate and sodium octanesulfonate are used as the lubricants, and sodium L-ascorbate is used as the chlorine-neutralizing compound. If the mixture of the organic acid, the lubricant, and the chlorine-neutralizing compound is not granulated, it is not necessary to add a granulation promoter, but a granulation promoter may be added to improve tableting properties.

[0048] Next, the granulated material (bicarbonate and granulation promoter) is mixed with the mixture (organic acid, lubricant, and chlorine-neutralizing compound) and compressed to form tablets. A known compression molding machine can be used for the compression molding to form tablets, but for example, a hydraulic press, a single-punch tablet press, a rotary tablet press, a briquetting machine, etc. can also be used.

[0049] The size of the punch used in this tablet press or the like is preferably 10 mm or more in diameter if the punch is circular, and preferably 10 mm or more in diameter if the punch is triangular or rectangular, equivalent to a circular punch. The same applies to the thickness of the punch. When making circular tablets, the diameter of the tablet is preferably 10 mm or more and the thickness is also preferably 10 mm or more. When making triangular, rectangular, or other shaped tablets, the diameter and thickness are preferably each 10 mm or more when converted to a circular tablet. Note that the tablet does not necessarily have to be circular with a flat surface, and there is no limitation on the shape as long as it is a solid object of 10 mm or more, whether it is oval, tablet-like, or spherical.

[0050] Furthermore, during compression molding, it is preferable to ensure that the tablet hardness (breaking strength and Vickers hardness) is above a specified value. The higher the hardness, the more effectively carbon dioxide gas is generated in the tablet, and the more efficiently the carbon dioxide gas dissolves in the hot water, resulting in finer bubbles and more favorable results. The diametric breaking strength (kgf) can be measured using the New Speed Checker TS75NL digital tablet hardness tester manufactured by Okada Seiko Co., Ltd. The Vickers hardness (Hv, kgf / mm 2 ) can be measured using a micro Vickers hardness tester, Mitutoyo HM-221, which is one of the hardness testers.

[0051] The above is the basic composition and manufacturing method of bicarbonate bath additives. An anhydride, such as anhydrous sodium carbonate, anhydrous potassium carbonate, anhydrous calcium carbonate, or anhydrous magnesium carbonate, may also be added to the bicarbonate bath additives. Adding an anhydride allows for optimally small carbon dioxide bubble size while increasing and sustaining foaming for a long period of time. This effect is particularly pronounced when anhydrous sodium carbonate is added as the anhydride. The anhydride can be added at any step prior to compression molding, such as during the granulation process or the blending process of the granulation with a mixture. It is preferable to add the anhydride at the stage of blending the bicarbonate granulation with a mixture of an organic acid, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound. It is particularly desirable to simultaneously add the organic acid, lubricant, chlorine-neutralizing compound, and anhydride to the granulation after cooling, mix, and immediately compress the mixture. Using too much anhydride reduces the amount of foam produced, while using too little anhydride results in excessive carbon dioxide generation in the bathwater, which is undesirable.

[0052] In addition, bicarbonate bath additives can be used with a release agent for tablet molding. As this release agent, sucrose, magnesium stearate, etc. are generally used, but magnesium stearate is the most preferred because it can stably, continuously, and quickly compress and mold tablets. Furthermore, bicarbonate bath additives can be mixed with other ingredients as needed. Other ingredients include health ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, fragrances, pigments, surfactants, etc.

[0053] Next, the following experiment was conducted to determine the optimal materials, weight ratios, and tablet hardness for the bicarbonate bath additive. As mentioned above, when bicarbonate ions are absorbed transdermally, nitric oxide (NO) is generated in blood vessels, which rapidly expands the blood vessels and increases blood flow. Therefore, by measuring the blood flow rate of the subjects while bathing, the type of organic acid, the weight ratio of the organic acid (citric acid) to the bicarbonate (sodium hydrogen carbonate), the weight ratio of the lubricant (sodium tetradecene sulfonate) to the bicarbonate bath additive, the composition ratio of the lubricants (sodium octanesulfonate and sodium tetradecene sulfonate), the weight ratio of the chlorine neutralizing compound (sodium L-ascorbate) to the bicarbonate bath additive, and the optimal tablet hardness were investigated.

[0054] This blood flow was measured using a non-contact laser Doppler blood flow meter (ALF21N manufactured by Advance Corporation) by irradiating the biological tissue with laser light and converting the reflected light from the tissue into an electrical signal, which was then processed. The measurement was taken at the dorsal part of the hand, which corresponds to the so-called "Hegu" point, with a measuring glove attached to the skin. The unit of blood flow is mL / min / 100g of tissue, but here it is expressed as a multiple of the value before bathing, and the average value of the data collected by the subject over five days was used.

[0055] The bicarbonate bath additives used in the experiment were basically composed of 11.10 g of sodium bicarbonate as bicarbonate, 2.30 g of organic acid, 0.10 g of sodium L-ascorbate as a chlorine neutralizing compound, 0.01 g of sodium tetradecene sulfonate as lubricant 1 and 0.07 g of sodium octanesulfonate as lubricant 2, 0.82 g of PEG6000 as a granulation promoter, and 0.60 g of sodium carbonate as anhydrous, per tablet (15 g). In Experiment 1, the type of organic acid was changed, in Experiment 2 the weight ratio of citric acid to sodium bicarbonate was changed, in Experiment 3 the weight ratio of lubricant (sodium tetradecene sulfonate) to bicarbonate bath salts and the composition ratio of lubricants (sodium tetradecene sulfonate and sodium octanesulfonate) were changed, in Experiment 4 the weight ratio of sodium L-ascorbate to bicarbonate bath salts was changed, and in Experiment 5 the tablet hardness was changed by adjusting the tableting pressure and water content.

[0056] [Experiment 1] First, 180 L of water was poured into the bathtub and the bath temperature was adjusted to 38°C. Three tablets of bicarbonate bath additives (15 g) containing different types of organic acids were added, and 10 subjects (healthy men and women aged 20 to 60) were asked to bathe for 30 minutes. The blood flow rate was measured. The results are shown in Table 1 and Figure 2. The weight of each organic acid tablet was 2.30 g. The blood flow rate is shown as a ratio (multiple) of the blood flow rate before bathing.

[0057] [Table 1]

[0058] Figure 2 shows the relationship between the type of organic acid (citric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid) and blood flow. Bathing in water containing the bicarbonate bath additive of this example generates bicarbonate ions, which are absorbed transdermally to generate nitric oxide. The cyclic guainosine phosphate generated from the nitric oxide relaxes smooth muscle, dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow. However, as shown in Figure 2, changing the type of organic acid alters the level of chemical stress, which in turn alters the state of parasympathetic dominance, thereby changing the degree of increase in blood flow. Specifically, using citric acid, which is naturally derived and induces minimal chemical stress, results in a parasympathetic dominance state, which in turn activates the homeostatic system and increases blood flow. However, using fumaric acid, malic acid, or succinic acid results in a chemical stress that does not significantly increase parasympathetic dominance, resulting in a smaller increase in blood flow. In this experiment, citric acid increased blood flow by approximately 6.2 times compared to before bathing, while fumaric acid increased blood flow by approximately 4.5 times, malic acid increased blood flow by approximately 5.1 times, and succinic acid increased blood flow by approximately 5.4 times, demonstrating that citric acid is the most effective organic acid.

[0059] [Experiment 2] Next, 180 L of water was poured into the bathtub, the bath temperature was adjusted to 38°C, and three tablets of bicarbonate bath additives (15 g) with varying organic acid weight ratios (citric acid weight / sodium bicarbonate weight) were added. Ten subjects (healthy men and women aged 20 to 60) were asked to bathe for 30 minutes, and their blood flow was measured. The results are shown in Table 2 and Figure 3. The weight of each tablet of the other ingredients was adjusted to 15 g. The blood flow rate is shown as a ratio (multiple) of the blood flow rate before bathing.

[0060] [Table 2]

[0061] Figure 3 shows the relationship between the weight ratio of organic acids (citric acid weight / sodium bicarbonate weight) and blood flow. Bathing in water containing the bicarbonate bath additive of this example, which generates bicarbonate ions, results in the transdermal absorption of bicarbonate ions, the generation of nitric oxide, and the expansion of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow. As shown in Figure 3, varying the weight ratio of citric acid to sodium bicarbonate changes the concentration of bicarbonate ions generated in the water, thereby altering the degree of increase in blood flow. Specifically, as the weight ratio of citric acid increases, the bicarbonate ion concentration increases, resulting in a greater increase in blood flow. However, once the weight ratio of citric acid exceeds a certain value, the citric acid becomes excessive, reducing the bicarbonate ion concentration and resulting in a smaller increase in blood flow. In this experiment, when the citric acid weight ratio was 0.131, blood flow increased to about 5.9 times the level before bathing, when the citric acid weight ratio was 0.207, it increased to about 6.2 times the level before bathing, when the citric acid weight ratio was 0.272, it increased to about 6.1 times the level before bathing, and then when the citric acid weight ratio was 0.305, it increased to about 5.3 times the level before bathing.Since an increase in blood flow of more than five times can raise body temperature to a level that can alleviate chills, it can be said that the preferred range for the citric acid to sodium bicarbonate weight ratio is 1 / 8 to 2 / 7, where blood flow increases by more than five times.

[0062] [Experiment 3] Next, 180 L of water was poured into the bathtub, the bath temperature was adjusted to 38°C, and three tablets of bicarbonate bath additives (15 g) containing two different lubricant weight ratios were placed in the bath. Ten subjects (healthy men and women aged 20 to 60) were asked to bathe for 30 minutes, and their blood flow was measured. The results are shown in Table 3 and Figures 4 and 5. The weight of each tablet was adjusted to 15 g for the other ingredients. The blood flow rate is shown as a ratio (multiple) of the blood flow rate before bathing.

[0063] [Table 3]

[0064] Figure 4 focuses on four data points for lubricant 1 alone (lubricant 2, sodium octanesulfonate, 0g added). It shows the relationship between the weight ratio of lubricant 1 (sodium tetradecene sulfonate weight / tablet weight) and blood flow. As shown in Figure 4, changing the weight of lubricant per tablet changes the powder's fluidity and compressibility, which in turn changes the morphology of carbon dioxide bubbles and the degree of increase in blood flow. Specifically, as the amount of lubricant added increases, the tablet hardness increases, resulting in stable generation of carbon dioxide bubbles. This results in an increase in bicarbonate ion concentration and a large increase in blood flow. However, if too much lubricant is added, the tablet hardness increases too much, suppressing the generation of carbon dioxide bubbles. As a result, the bicarbonate ion concentration decreases, resulting in a small increase in blood flow. In this experiment, when the lubricant weight ratio was 0.0006 (line 1), blood flow increased to approximately 4.3 times the level before bathing, when the lubricant weight ratio was 0.002 (line 2), blood flow increased to approximately 5.3 times the level before bathing, when the lubricant weight ratio was 0.0053 (line 3), blood flow increased to approximately 5.5 times the level before bathing, and then when the lubricant weight ratio was 0.016 (line 8), blood flow increased to approximately 4.1 times the level before bathing.Since an increase in blood flow of more than five times can raise body temperature to a level that can alleviate chills, it can be said that the preferred range for the lubricant (sodium tetradecene sulfonate) weight ratio is 1 / 1000 to 1 / 100, where blood flow increases by more than five times.

[0065] Based on the results of Figure 4, Figure 5 focuses on three data points where the weight ratio of Lubricant 1 (sodium tetradecene sulfonate) to Lubricant 2 (sodium octanesulfonate) is 0.0053 (total weight 0.08g), which is the weight ratio at which the increase in blood flow is greatest, and shows the relationship between the composition ratio of Lubricant 1 (sodium tetradecene sulfonate) to Lubricant 2 (sodium octanesulfonate) and blood flow. As shown in Figure 5, the degree of increase in blood flow changes when the composition ratio of sodium tetradecene sulfonate to sodium octanesulfonate as lubricants is changed. In this experiment, blood flow increased approximately 5.5 times before bathing with 0.08 g of sodium tetradecene sulfonate and 0 g of sodium octanesulfonate (line 3), approximately 6.2 times before bathing with 0.01 g of sodium tetradecene sulfonate and 0.07 g of sodium octanesulfonate (line 4), and then approximately 6.0 times before bathing with 0 g of sodium tetradecene sulfonate and 0.08 g of sodium octanesulfonate (line 5). These results demonstrate that blood flow increased by more than five times at any composition ratio, making sodium tetradecene sulfonate and / or sodium octanesulfonate preferable as lubricants.

[0066] [Experiment 4] Next, 180 L of water was poured into the bathtub, and the bath temperature was adjusted to 38°C. Three tablets (15 g) of bicarbonate bath additives with varying weight ratios of chlorine neutralizing compound (sodium L-ascorbate) per tablet were added, and 10 subjects (healthy men and women aged 20 to 60) were asked to bathe for 30 minutes. The blood flow rate was measured. The results are shown in Table 4 and Figure 6. The weight of the other ingredients was adjusted so that each tablet weighed 15 g. The blood flow rate is shown as a ratio (multiple) of the blood flow rate before bathing.

[0067] [Table 4]

[0068] Figure 6 shows the relationship between the weight ratio of chlorine-neutralizing compounds (sodium L-ascorbate weight / tablet weight) and blood flow, with the weight ratio displayed on a logarithmic scale. By adding the bicarbonate bath additive of this example, residual chlorine in the bathwater containing dissolved bicarbonate ions is removed, resulting in a parasympathetic nervous system dominance. This activates the homeostatic function of the body, secreting nitric oxide into the capillary endothelium, dilating blood vessels, and increasing blood flow. Specifically, as the weight ratio of sodium L-ascorbate increases, residual chlorine is removed, resulting in a parasympathetic nervous system dominance, and the increase in blood flow increases. However, once the weight ratio of sodium L-ascorbate exceeds a certain value, a large amount of sodium L-ascorbate remains in the bathwater, and its reducing power causes a change in pH, reducing the bicarbonate ion concentration, resulting in a smaller increase in blood flow. In this experiment, blood flow increased to approximately 6.0 times the level before bathing when the weight ratio of sodium L-ascorbate was 0.0008 and 0.0033, to approximately 6.2 times the level before bathing when the weight ratio of sodium L-ascorbate was 0.0066 and 0.0303, and then to approximately 5.3 times the level before bathing when the weight ratio of sodium L-ascorbate was 0.047. Since a five-fold or greater increase in blood flow can raise body temperature to a level that can alleviate chills, it can be said that the preferred range for the weight ratio of sodium L-ascorbate is 1 / 1500 to 1 / 30, where blood flow increases by approximately five-fold or more.

[0069] [Experiment 5] Next, 180 L of hot water was poured into the bathtub, and the bath temperature was adjusted to 38°C. Three bicarbonate bath additive tablets (15 g), whose tablet hardness had been varied by adjusting the tableting pressure and / or water content, were placed in the bath. Ten subjects (healthy men and women aged 20 to 60 years) were asked to bathe for 30 minutes, and their blood flow was measured. The results are shown in Table 5 and Figure 7. The blood flow rate is shown as a ratio (multiple) of the blood flow rate before bathing. Tablet strength (kgf) was measured using a digital tablet hardness tester, New Speed Checker TS75NL, manufactured by Okada Seiko Co., Ltd.

[0070] [Table 5]

[0071] Figure 7 shows the relationship between tablet hardness and blood flow. As shown in Figure 7, changing the tablet hardness by adjusting the tableting pressure or water content changes the shape of the carbon dioxide bubbles, which in turn changes the degree of increase in blood flow. Specifically, as the tablet hardness increases, the carbon dioxide bubbles become smaller, the bicarbonate ion concentration increases, and the increase in blood flow becomes greater. In this experiment, when the tablet hardness was 20 kgf, the blood flow rate was approximately 5.8 times higher than before bathing, and when the tablet hardness was 40 kgf or higher, the blood flow rate was approximately 6.2 times higher than before bathing. Since a five-fold or greater increase in blood flow can raise body temperature to a level that can alleviate chills, it can be said that a tablet hardness of 20 kgf or higher, at which blood flow rate increases by approximately five-fold, is the preferred range.

[0072] As explained above, by using a bicarbonate bath additive containing bicarbonate (sodium hydrogen carbonate), an organic acid (citric acid), a lubricant (sodium alkanesulfonate having 14 to 18 carbon atoms, sodium tetradecene sulfonate, sodium normal octanesulfonate), and a chlorine neutralizing compound (L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, erythorbate) with a weight ratio of citric acid within a specified range, it is possible to double the size of capillaries and increase blood flow by more than five times in one go.

[0073] In particular, by setting the weight ratio of organic acid (citric acid) to bicarbonate at 1 / 8 to 2 / 7, using sodium tetradecene sulfonate and / or sodium octanesulfonate as a lubricant and setting the weight ratio of lubricant to tablet at 1 / 1000 to 1 / 100, or using sodium L-ascorbate as a chlorine neutralizing compound and setting the weight ratio of chlorine neutralizing compound to tablet at 1 / 1500 to 1 / 30, chemical stress can be reduced, a parasympathetic nervous system dominant state can be maintained, and capillaries can be doubled in size to maximize blood flow.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0075] For example, in the above examples, a method was described in which a bicarbonate salt is coated with a granulation promoter to produce a granule, and then a mixture of an organic acid, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound is mixed therewith. However, the manufacturing method can be modified as appropriate, and for example, a method in which an organic acid salt is coated with a granulation promoter to produce a granule, and then a mixture of a bicarbonate salt, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound is mixed with the granule, or the like, can also be used. [Industrial Applicability]

[0076] The present invention can be used for bicarbonate bath additives and methods for producing the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 epidermis 2 Dermis / subcutaneous adipose tissue 3 Pores 4 sweat pores 5 blood vessels 6 Blood vessel wall 7. Smooth Muscle 8 Vascular endothelial cells 9 Intravascular

Claims

1. A bicarbonate bath additive comprising a tablet compressed from a material containing bicarbonate, an organic acid, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound, the bicarbonate is sodium bicarbonate; the organic acid is citric acid; the lubricant is at least one selected from sodium alkanesulfonate having 14 to 18 carbon atoms, sodium tetradecenesulfonate, and sodium n-octanesulfonate; the chlorine-neutralizing compound is at least one selected from L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, and erythorbate; the weight ratio of the organic acid to the bicarbonate is 1 / 8 to 2 / 7; A bicarbonate bath additive characterized by:

2. The lubricant is sodium tetradecene sulfonate and / or sodium normal octanesulfonate.

2. The bicarbonate bath additive according to claim 1.

3. The weight ratio of the lubricant to the tablet is 1 / 1000 to 1 / 100.

3. The bicarbonate bath additive according to claim 2.

4. The chlorine neutralizing compound is sodium L-ascorbate.

2. The bicarbonate bath additive according to claim 1.

5. The weight ratio of the chlorine neutralizing compound to the tablet is 1 / 1500 to 1 / 30.

5. The bicarbonate bath additive according to claim 4.

6. A method for producing a bicarbonate bath additive comprising a tablet containing bicarbonate, an organic acid, a lubricant, and a chlorine-neutralizing compound, the bicarbonate is sodium bicarbonate; the organic acid is citric acid; the lubricant is at least one selected from sodium alkanesulfonate having 14 to 18 carbon atoms, sodium tetradecenesulfonate, and sodium n-octanesulfonate; the chlorine-neutralizing compound is at least one selected from L-ascorbate, thiosulfate, sulfite, tea catechin, and erythorbate; a weight ratio of the organic acid to the bicarbonate of 1 / 8 to 2 / 7; A granulated product of the bicarbonate is prepared, and the granulated product is mixed with a mixture containing the organic acid, the lubricant, and the chlorine-neutralizing compound, and then compressed and molded to prepare the tablet. A method for producing a bicarbonate bath additive, comprising:

7. The lubricant is sodium tetradecene sulfonate and / or sodium normal octanesulfonate. The method for producing the bicarbonate bath additive according to claim 6.

8. The weight ratio of the lubricant to the tablet is 1 / 1000 to 1 / 100. The method for producing the bicarbonate bath additive according to claim 7.

9. The chlorine neutralizing compound is sodium L-ascorbate. The method for producing the bicarbonate bath additive according to claim 6.

10. The weight ratio of the chlorine neutralizing compound to the tablet is 1 / 1500 to 1 / 30. The method for producing the bicarbonate bath additive according to claim 9.

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