JPH1175777A - Dietary fiber-containing composition - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composition that can markedly improve bowel movement and stays in the bowel for a prolonged time, when it is taken. SOLUTION: This dietary fiber-containing composition comprises (1) an alginate salt or ester with an average molecular weight of <=100,000 and (2) one or more dietary fibers selected from the group consisting of polydextrose, digestion-resistant dextrin, soybean fiber and cellulose and the weight ratio of the component (1) to the component (2) is (0.5-30)/100.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composition, a beverage, and a bowel-improving agent containing dietary fiber such as alginic acid, alginic acid salt or alginic acid ester (hereinafter referred to as "alginic acid") and dietary fiber such as polydextrose in a specific weight ratio. . The present invention also relates to a kit for improving bowel movement, wherein a dietary fiber such as algins and polydextrose is contained in any of a plurality of compositions constituting the kit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Dietary fiber is known to have a blood pressure lowering effect, a cholesterol lowering effect, an intestinal bacteria regulating effect, and the like, and has been receiving great attention in recent years. Dietary fiber affects the secretion of bile acids and cholesterol, and is thought to be involved in the mechanism of carcinogen generation in the large intestine. It is also known that ingestion of dietary fiber having an appropriate particle size, shape, density, and water retention capacity changes the gastrointestinal tract transit speed, affecting stool volume and appearance. For this reason, if dietary fiber is taken with other foods, an improvement in bowel movements can be expected, which is one of the factors that rapidly increases the demand for dietary fiber products in the market.

[0003] Today, various beverages containing dietary fiber are provided. These beverages are provided as having an effect of improving bowel movements, but their effects are not always satisfactory. This is considered to be due to the fact that the effect of improving the bowel movement of dietary fiber contained in the beverage is not effectively exerted, or the effect of improving the bowel movement of dietary fiber itself is insufficient.

[0004] In order to address this problem, there is a conceivable method of increasing the dietary fiber concentration in a beverage to ingest a thick dietary fiber into the body. However, even if the dietary fiber concentration in the beverage is increased, not all of the dietary fiber that has been drunk will necessarily exhibit a bowel movement improving effect. On the contrary, it can cause diarrhea and mild abdominal pain. For this reason, it is not possible to obtain a favorable bowel movement improving effect proportional to the increase in the concentration.

[0005] On the other hand, instead of changing the concentration of dietary fiber contained in the beverage, a measure to improve bowel movement by increasing the intake of the beverage itself is also conceivable. However, simply increasing the amount of intake does not provide the effect of improving bowel movement in proportion to the amount of intake. In addition, it is often accompanied by discomfort due to an increase in the absolute intake. As described above, there is a limit to enhancing the effect of improving bowel movement by increasing the amount of dietary fiber to be ingested. For this reason,
There has been a need to develop a composition that can more effectively express the effect of improving the bowel movement of ingested dietary fiber and exert a more excellent bowel movement improving effect.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of these problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a dietary fiber-containing composition capable of exhibiting a more excellent bowel movement improving effect. . Another object of the present invention is to provide a composition having an excellent effect of improving bowel movement and having a very good stomach retention after ingestion.

[0007]

As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that by combining low molecular weight alginic acids with other dietary fibers at a certain weight ratio, The inventors have found that the bowel movement improving effect and the stomach holding effect are dramatically enhanced, and completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention provides (1) an average molecular weight of 1
Containing no more than 100,000 alginic acid, alginates or alginates, and (2) one or more dietary fibers selected from the group consisting of polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, soy fiber and cellulose, wherein component (1)
A dietary fiber-containing composition, characterized in that the weight ratio of component (2) to component (2) is 0.5 to 30: 100.

By strictly specifying the combination and weight ratio of dietary fiber as in the present invention, it is possible to achieve a remarkable effect on improving bowel movement and a stomach holding effect which are not seen in the conventional dietary fiber-containing composition. That is, when dietary fiber is combined according to the present invention, the effect of improving bowel movement and the effect of having a stomach can be synergistically enhanced. This means that the composition of the present invention significantly improves the bowel movement improving effect and the stomach holding effect per unit dietary fiber amount as compared with the conventional dietary fiber-containing composition. Further, the composition of the present invention does not involve diarrhea or discomfort, and therefore can be taken with confidence.

The alginic acid used in the composition of the present invention may be any one having an average molecular weight of 100,000 or less.
Raw materials and production methods are not particularly limited. Therefore, alginic acids used in the present invention may be derived from natural products or may be obtained by synthesis.

The ratio and sequence of β-D-mannuronic acid and α-L-guluronic acid constituting alginic acids are not particularly limited. Therefore, alginic acids having a block consisting of only β-D-mannuronic acid, a block consisting of only α-L-guluronic acid, and a block in which both are mixed may be used, or any one of them may be used. Alternatively, two alginic acids may be used.

The average molecular weight of the alginic acids used in the present invention is 100,000 or less. Alginic acids having an average molecular weight of more than 100,000 cannot exert the intended synergistic effect effectively even when combined with polydextrose or the like.
The alginic acids used in the present invention preferably have a viscosity in the range of 1.5 to 30 cp (20 ° C.) in a 1% aqueous solution, and more preferably have a viscosity in the range of 1.5 to 10 cp. . In addition, those in the range of 1 to 5 cp, and those in the range of 1 to 3 cp can also be used effectively.

The low-molecular alginic acids used in the present invention can be easily prepared, for example, by obtaining high-molecular alginic acid and then reducing the molecular weight.
High molecular alginic acid is abundantly contained between cells of brown algae. Therefore, high-molecular alginic acid can be obtained by using a method in which brown algae are washed with, for example, diluted sulfuric acid, extracted with a sodium carbonate solution, and precipitated with sulfuric acid. The high molecular alginic acid thus obtained can be easily reduced in molecular weight by using any of known methods. For example, low molecular weight alginic acid can be prepared using a method of reacting an enzyme with high molecular alginic acid, a method of reacting sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, or the like, a method of thermal decomposition, a method of pressure decomposition, and the like. it can.

The low molecular weight alginate can be obtained by allowing a base to act on the low molecular weight alginic acid thus prepared. The alginate used in the present invention is preferably a sodium salt or a potassium salt, but other salts can also be used.

The low molecular weight alginic acid ester may be prepared by esterifying low molecular weight alginic acid, or may be low molecular weight after high molecular weight alginic acid is esterified. Examples of the alginate used in the present invention include propylene glycol alginate.

In the present invention, only one of alginic acid, alginic acid salts and alginic acid esters may be used, or two or more of them may be used in combination.
Further, all three types may be used. In addition, salt,
A plurality of alginates or alginates having different types and molecular weights of the esters may be used in combination.

The type, raw material and production method of the second component used in the composition of the present invention, polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, soybean fiber and cellulose are not particularly limited as long as they can be used as food. Not done. Therefore, it may be a plant-derived dietary fiber or a synthetically produced dietary fiber.

Polydextrose is a glucose polymer containing small amounts of sorbitol and is a water-soluble dietary fiber. For example, it can be produced by mixing sorbitol and citric acid at an appropriate ratio using glucose as a main raw material, and polymerizing the mixture under a high temperature vacuum. As commercially available polydextrose, Lites (manufactured by Carter Food Science) can be exemplified.

Indigestible dextrin is a component contained in starch and partially degraded starch, which is not easily degraded by amylase. What is called a resistant starch is also included. Indigestible dextrin can be obtained by, for example, adding a trace amount of hydrochloric acid to starch, decomposing it by heating, dissolving the obtained dextrin in water, hydrolyzing with amylase, and then purifying. Examples of commercially available indigestible dextrins include pine fiber and pine fiber C (Matsuya Chemical Industries).

Soy fiber is a dietary fiber contained in soy. The soy fiber includes a water-soluble soy fiber and a water-insoluble soy fiber, and any of them may be used. Therefore, a water-insoluble soybean fiber obtained after squeezing oil or protein from soybean may be used, or only a water-soluble component may be extracted from the water-insoluble soybean fiber and used. As a commercially available water-soluble soybean fiber, Soya Five (made by Fuji Essential Oil) can be exemplified. Further, as a commercially available water-insoluble soybean fiber, New Pro Plus (made by Fuji Essential Oil) can be exemplified.

As for cellulose, D-glucopyranose has β
It is a homopolysaccharide linked linearly with 1 → 4 glucosidic bonds. Cellulose is contained in most plants and some bacteria and animals, and can be extracted mainly from plants in large quantities. Commercially available celluloses include Solca Floc (made by Carter Food Science), Selish (made by Daicel Chemical Industries), Fibrocell (made by Kenko Tsusho), KC Floc (made by Nippon Paper), Vitacell (made by Miki Sangyo), Avicel (Made by Asahi Kasei).

Polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, soybean fiber, and cellulose may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Even when only one type is used, those having different molecular weights and viscosities can be used in combination. Among these four species, polydextrose,
Most preferably, resistant dextrin is used, followed by soy fiber. These four
Non-species fibers cannot be expected to have a synergistic bowel improvement effect even when combined with alginic acids.

The weight ratio of the low molecular weight alginates to other dietary fibers such as polydextrose in the composition of the present invention is set in the range of 0.5 to 30: 100. The content of low molecular weight alginates is less than 0.5 or 3
When it is more than 0, a synergistic bowel improvement effect when combined with other dietary fibers such as polydextrose cannot be expected. In order to achieve better effects,
More preferably, the weight ratio is 5 to 30: 100,
A ratio of 10 to 30: 100 is more preferable.

When the composition is used as a beverage, the total content of dietary fiber including the low molecular weight alginic acids and other dietary fibers such as polydextrose is set within the range of 2 to 40% by weight. Preferably 3 to 30% by weight
Is more preferably set within the range. Furthermore, 4 to 2
More preferably, it is set within the range of 0% by weight.
Most preferably, it is set within the range of 0% by weight. Also,
When the composition is used as a bowel movement improving agent, for example, when it is made into a tablet, the total content of dietary fiber is preferably set in the range of 10 to 100% by weight, and more preferably in the range of 30 to 70% by weight. It is more preferable to set.

The composition of the present invention can be specifically used as a beverage or a bowel movement improving agent. When used as a beverage, it is necessary to use a relatively large amount of liquid components such as water and fruit juice to impart fluidity. At this time, it is not always necessary to make the liquid smooth, and a fluid having a high viscosity may be used. It is also possible to use a gelling agent in order to obtain a highly viscous fluid. The composition of the present invention is useful as a diet beverage because it has a good stomach and has the effect of giving a feeling of fullness. In addition, since modern people tend to have a shortage of dietary fiber, they are also useful as a modified beverage for supplementing the dietary fiber deficiency.

When the composition of the present invention is used as an agent for improving bowel movement, it can be formed into a desired form by using an appropriate excipient. Since a bowel movement improving drug is generally administered orally, it can be made into tablets, capsules, powders, fine granules, granules, liquids, syrups and the like. Also,
Pharmacologically and pharmaceutically acceptable additives can also be used for the bowel movement improving drug. For example, in addition to the above excipients, disintegrants or disintegration aids, binders, lubricants, coating agents, pigments, diluents, bases, solubilizers or dissolution aids, isotonic agents, pH adjusters , Stabilizers and the like can be used.

The present invention includes not only one composition (alcohol-improving agent) containing alginic acids and other dietary fibers such as polydextrose together, but also a kit for improving bowel movement comprising a plurality of compositions. . In this kit,
Alginic acids and other dietary fibers may be contained in any of a plurality of compositions constituting the kit. For example, it may be a kit comprising a first composition containing alginic acids and a second composition containing other dietary fibers, or a kit comprising a plurality of compositions having different abundance ratios of alginic acids and other dietary fibers. It may be. When used, these compositions are administered in appropriate combinations. A plurality of compositions may be administered simultaneously or at regular intervals. The dosage of the bowel movement improving drug is preferably in the range of 5 to 40 g / day in terms of the amount of dietary fiber.

Various components other than dietary fiber can be appropriately added to the composition of the present invention. For example, sweeteners,
Fruit juice, flavor, gelling agent, acidulant, nutritional enhancer, bitterness,
Brighteners, bactericides, antioxidants, color adjusting agents, stabilizers, coloring agents, seasonings, preservatives, excipients and the like can be added. Further, dietary fibers other than alginic acids, polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, soybean fiber, and cellulose may be added. As specific examples of typical additives,
The following can be exemplified.

[0029] Sweeteners that can be added to the composition of the present invention include sugar, fructose, glucose, xylose, lactose, starch syrup, isomerized sugar, glycyrrhizin, aspartame, stevia, sorbitol, matsulitol, glycine,
Examples include thaumatin (thomatin), saccharin, lakanca, rhamnose, and licorice.

As the flavor which can be added to the composition of the present invention, a citrus flavor, a spice flavor, a milk flavor, a fruit flavor and the like can be exemplified widely. Acidulants that can be added to the composition of the present invention include adipic acid, citric acid, monopotassium citrate, tripotassium citrate, trisodium citrate, glucono delta lactone, gluconic acid, glacial acetic acid, sodium acetate, Tartaric acid, sodium tartrate, lactic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid,
Phosphoric acid and carbon dioxide can be exemplified.

Coloring agents that can be added to the composition of the present invention include tar dyes such as Food Red No. 2, 40, 106, Food Yellow No. 4, No. 5, Food Blue No. 1, and safflower dyes , Cochineal pigment, grape skin pigment and the like. As a preservative that can be added to the composition of the present invention, benzoic acid, sodium benzoate,
Examples include sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, and paraoxybenzoate. The amount of these additives used can be appropriately determined according to the intended use of the beverage, the bowel movement improving agent, and the like.

[0032]

The present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the following examples. Components, ratios, operation orders, and the like shown in the following examples can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific examples shown in the following examples.

Example 1 The composition of the present invention was produced by mixing the components shown in the following table in the amounts shown in the table and sterilizing the mixture.

[0034]

[Table 1]

Example 2 A composition of the present invention was produced by mixing the components shown in the following table in the amounts shown in the table and sterilizing them.

[0036]

[Table 2]

Example 3 A composition of the present invention was produced by mixing the components shown in the following table in the amounts shown in the table and sterilizing them.

[0038]

[Table 3]

(Example 4) The components shown in the following table were mixed in the amounts shown in the table, and the mixture was tableted to produce a tablet of the present invention.

[0040]

[Table 4]

(Example 5) The components shown in the following table were mixed in the amounts shown in the table, and the mixture was tableted to produce a tablet of the present invention.

[0042]

[Table 5]

(Comparative Example) The components shown in the following table were mixed in the amounts shown in the table and sterilized to prepare a composition for comparison.

[0044]

[Table 6]

(Test Example) A comparative study of the bowel movement effect was performed using the composition of the present invention prepared in Example 1 and the composition for comparison prepared in Comparative Example. The number of defecations, the amount of defecation, and the status of bowel movements when a total of 10 adult men and women ingested 200 ml of the sample every morning for one week were investigated, and the average number of defecations and the average amount of defecation for ten persons were calculated.

As a result, both the composition of Example 1 and the composition of Comparative Example showed an effect of improving the average number of defecations with respect to the placebo group, and it was confirmed that the bowel movement was also improved. . In addition, no significant difference was observed between Example 1 and the comparative example in the average number of defecations and the effect of improving bowel movement.
However, 30% of the group who took the composition of the comparative example complained of a slight abnormality in the digestive system, but the group that took the composition of Example 1 showed a corresponding abnormality. None of them complained, and those who pointed out their strength were prominent. Also,
As for the average bowel movement, the average bowel movement of Example 1 based on the comparative example was more than 50%. This means
Alginic acids to polydextrose in a weight ratio of 20:80
(Corresponding to 25: 100) indicates that the ingestion of the mixture ingested significantly increases the amount of defecation.

An increase in the amount of defecation due to the combination of alginic acids and polydextrose was similarly observed when a composition containing alginic acids and polydextrose in a weight ratio of 0.5 to 30: 100 was ingested. However, no significant difference was observed outside the range of the weight ratio. This was also the case when indigestible dextrin was used instead of polydextrose. Similarly, when soy fiber was used in place of polydextrose, a significant increase in the amount of defecation was also observed in the weight ratio range of 0.5 to 30: 100. Was smaller than the case. Further, a similar tendency was observed when cellulose was used, but the degree of increase in the amount of defecation was even smaller than that in the case of soybean fiber.

No significant increase in the amount of defecation due to the combination was observed when a combination of alginic acid and other dietary fiber was taken or when a combination of dietary fiber other than alginate was taken.

[0049]

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION (1) Alginic acid, alginic acid salt or alginic acid ester having an average molecular weight of 100,000 or less, and (2)
One or more dietary fibers selected from the group consisting of polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, soy fiber, and cellulose are mixed with a weight ratio of component (1) to component (2) of 0.5 to
By taking in combination at 30: 100, the amount of defecation can be significantly increased and the stomach can be improved. For this reason, the composition of the present invention is extremely useful as a functional food such as a diet beverage and a bowel movement improving agent.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. One or more foods selected from the group consisting of (1) alginic acid, alginates or alginates having an average molecular weight of 100,000 or less, and (2) polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, soy fiber and cellulose. Containing fibers, wherein the weight ratio of component (1) to component (2) is 0.5 to 30:10
A dietary fiber-containing composition, which is 0. 2. The dietary fiber-containing composition according to claim 1, wherein the component (2) is polydextrose or indigestible dextrin. 3. A weight ratio of the component (1) to the component (2) is 10 to 10.
The dietary fiber-containing composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition is 30: 100. 4. The dietary fiber-containing composition according to claim 1, wherein the component (1) is sodium alginate or potassium alginate. 5. One or more foods selected from the group consisting of (1) alginic acid, alginates or alginates having an average molecular weight of 100,000 or less, and (2) polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, soy fiber and cellulose. Containing fibers, wherein the weight ratio of component (1) to component (2) is 0.5 to 30:10
A beverage characterized by being 0. 6. An at least one food selected from the group consisting of (1) alginic acid, alginates or alginates having an average molecular weight of 100,000 or less, and (2) polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, soy fiber and cellulose. Containing fibers, wherein the weight ratio of component (1) to component (2) is 0.5 to 30:10
A bowel movement improving drug characterized by being 0. 7. An alginic acid, alginic acid salt or alginic acid ester having an average molecular weight of 100,000 or less, and
(2) one or more dietary fibers selected from the group consisting of polydextrose, indigestible dextrin, soy fiber, and cellulose are contained in any of a plurality of compositions constituting the kit; And the content weight ratio of component (2) to 0.5 to 30:
A kit for improving bowel movement, wherein the kit is 100.