Electrolyte Enhanced Spirits Hydration Paradox
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spirits do not effectively address dehydration caused by alcohol consumption, as they lack sufficient electrolytes to aid in hydration and electrolyte balance.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrolyte enhanced spirit that combines a distilled liquor with at least two electrolyte salts at a concentration of at least 0.02% w/v, including sodium and potassium salts, to create a product with improved hydration properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spirits are produced without electrolyte additives, then the production process remains simple and cost-effective, but the spirits fail to effectively prevent dehydration and maintain electrolyte balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrolyte salts (sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate) with distilled spirits during the production process. This merging of functional ingredients with the base product creates a dual-purpose beverage that both provides alcohol consumption and prevents dehydration, resolving the contradiction between simple production and effective dehydration prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte-enhanced spirit serves multiple functions: it provides the intoxicating effect of alcohol while simultaneously preventing dehydration, maintaining electrolyte balance, and reducing hangover symptoms. This multi-functionality allows a single product to address both recreational alcohol consumption and health maintenance needs.
2Reliability
If electrolyte salts are added to spirits at low concentrations (0.0025%-0.007% w/v as in prior art), then the product remains palatable, but the dehydration prevention effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of electrolyte salts within a specific range (0.0025%-0.007% w/v for individual salts, with total electrolyte concentration of 0.017%-0.035% w/v). This parameter optimization ensures sufficient dehydration prevention effectiveness while maintaining the palatable taste profile of the spirit, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and acceptability.
3Reliability
If high concentrations of electrolyte salts are added to spirits, then dehydration prevention effectiveness is improved, but the product becomes unpalatable and less acceptable to consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes optimal concentration ranges for each electrolyte salt (sodium chloride 0.0025%-0.0035% w/v, potassium chloride 0.0025%-0.0035% w/v, calcium carbonate 0.0025%-0.005% w/v, magnesium sulfate 0.0025%-0.005% w/v) to achieve the best balance between dehydration prevention effectiveness and taste quality. These optimized parameters prevent the spirit from becoming unpalatable while ensuring sufficient electrolyte content for effective hydration support.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrolyte enhanced spirit is disclosed. The electrolyte enhanced spirit comprises a spirit and at least two electrolyte salts at a concentration of at least 0.02% w/v. The spirit in some embodiments includes vodka, rum, bourbon, whiskey, gin and distilled liquors. The electrolyte salts include NaCl, NaHCO3, KCl, KHCO3, K3PO4. The electrolyte enhanced spirit has a pH of 9.3 to 9.7, preferably 9.5. The electrolyte enhanced spirit may also include an additive to control the pH. The additive for controlling the pH of the spirit is selected from at least one of citric acid, an amino acid, ascorbic acid, folic acid, malic acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, carbonic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, tannic acid, benzoic acid, lactic acid, and acetic acid.