Electrolyte Blends for Reduced Salty Taste in Rehydration Beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rehydration products, such as sports drinks, often have a salty taste due to the presence of electrolytes like sodium chloride and sodium citrate, which can deter consumers from consuming sufficient amounts, leading to inadequate rehydration.
Innovation Solution
An electrolyte blend comprising sodium lactate and potassium chloride is used to create beverages with a low salty taste, providing the necessary electrolytes for rehydration without the salty flavor, achieved by leveraging the larger molecular size of sodium lactate, which takes longer to register on taste buds, and the use of potassium chloride, which contributes less saltiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional electrolytes (sodium chloride, sodium citrate) are used in rehydration beverages, then electrolyte content is sufficient for rehydration, but the beverage develops a salty taste that deters consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the electrolyte blend by using sodium lactate instead of traditional sodium chloride and sodium citrate. This parameter change maintains the necessary electrolyte content while fundamentally altering the taste profile, reducing saltiness through the different chemical properties of lactate compared to chloride and citrate ions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrolyte system combining sodium lactate with potassium chloride and other electrolytes in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the formulation of a beverage that provides comprehensive electrolyte replacement while the specific combination and ratios are optimized to minimize salty taste, achieving both rehydration effectiveness and palatability.
2Reliability
If electrolyte concentration is increased to ensure adequate rehydration, then rehydration effectiveness improves, but the salty taste becomes more pronounced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the different taste thresholds and perception characteristics of different electrolyte compounds. By changing from sodium chloride to sodium lactate, the system can achieve higher electrolyte concentrations without a proportional increase in perceived saltiness, as lactate has different taste properties that mask saltiness more effectively than chloride at equivalent concentrations.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional electrolyte formulations are used, then rehydration needs are met, but consumer consumption is limited due to unpleasant taste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the taste parameter of the beverage by substituting traditional salty electrolytes with sodium lactate-based formulation. This makes the beverage more palatable and appealing to consumers, increasing the likelihood of adequate consumption to meet rehydration needs without the barrier of unpleasant salty taste.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolyte blend is provided having a minimal salty taste in water or other rehydration compositions. One electrolyte blend includes sodium lactate and potassium chloride. An alternate electrolyte blend includes sodium lactate, potassium gluconate, and calcium chloride. The electrolyte blend may be provided as a beverage product, for example a rehydration product containing carbohydrates. In addition, a rehydration beverage composition is provided including water, at least one sweetener, at least one acid, and an electrolyte blend including sodium chloride, sodium lactate, and at least one of potassium chloride, potassium citrate and monopotassium phosphate. An alternate beverage composition is provided including water, at least one sweetener, at least one acid, and an electrolyte blend including sodium chloride, magnesium oxide, calcium lactate, and at least one of potassium chloride, potassium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, sodium lactate and calcium chloride.