Plant-Based Electrolyte Composition with Low Sodium and Carbohydrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available electrolyte drink products are high in sodium and carbohydrates, leading to excessive sodium intake, weight gain, and gastrointestinal issues, while natural juices are hyper-osmotic and acidic, inadequate for rehydration and electrolyte replacement.
Innovation Solution
A plant-based electrolyte composition with a high potassium-to-sodium ratio and low carbohydrate content, prepared using membrane separation technology to create a concentrate that can be reconstituted into a drink product, simulating plant sap with low acidity and natural electrolyte balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercially available electrolyte drink products are used, then electrolyte replacement is achieved, but sodium intake becomes excessive and blood pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes excessive sodium from the electrolyte composition, retaining only essential electrolytes in balanced proportions. The composition specifically limits sodium to 0.000-0.050% w/v while maintaining potassium at 0.050-0.200% w/v, achieving electrolyte replacement without harmful sodium intake
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the electrolyte parameter profile by inverting the conventional sodium-dominant formulation to a potassium-dominant formulation. This parameter change transforms the product from high-sodium commercial electrolyte drinks to a low-sodium, high-potassium composition that replaces electrolytes without causing hypertension
2Reliability
If commercially available juice drink products are used, then natural fluid replacement is achieved, but carbohydrate content becomes too high causing weight gain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes excessive carbohydrates from the plant-based composition, reducing content to less than 6% w/v. This extraction maintains the natural plant-derived electrolyte benefits while eliminating the weight-gain-causing sugar content typical of commercial juice drinks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the carbohydrate parameter from the typical 6-12% w/v in commercial juices to less than 6% w/v, creating a low-carbohydrate version that provides natural fluid replacement without excessive caloric intake and potential weight gain
3Reliability
If acid fruit juices are used for rehydration, then fluid replacement is achieved, but gastrointestinal irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter by selecting plant sources with naturally lower acidity or by processing methods that reduce organic acid content. This creates a rehydration composition that maintains fluid replacement effectiveness while eliminating the gastrointestinal irritation caused by high-acidity fruit juices
4Reliability
If conventional electrolyte formulations are used, then muscle and nerve functioning is supported, but thirst quenching ability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite plant-based composition combining multiple plant-derived electrolyte sources to achieve a balanced electrolyte profile. This composite approach enhances both the physiological function support and the sensory properties including thirst quenching ability, making it more effective than conventional single-source electrolyte formulations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition provides effective rehydration, prevents over-hydration, and offers a low-calorie, high-potassium source, reducing sodium intake and alleviating gastrointestinal issues, with a pleasant taste and improved thirst quenching properties.
Implementation Method 1
preparation using membrane separation technology to create a concentrate
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates, inter alia, to various plant-based electrolyte compositions, methods of preparing them and methods of using them. One embodiment concerns a plant-based electrolyte composition comprising a plant-derived electrolyte content high in potassium relative to sodium, and a plant-derived carbohydrate content less than about 6% weight/volume. Another embodiment concerns a method for re-hydrating an individual or preventing dehydration or over-hydration of an individual or or preventing or treating potassium deficiency in an individual, by administering to the individual a plant-based electrolyte composition. The electrolyte compositions can be prepared from sugarcane juice, sugar beet juice, sweet sorghum juice, palm syrup, maple sap, vegetable juice or fruit juice.