WO2007113007A2

WO2007113007A2 - Package containing a polyphenol and their uses

Info

Publication number: WO2007113007A2
Application number: PCT/EP2007/003054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martina Becker; Christoph Riegger
Original assignee: Dsm Ip Assets B.V.
Priority date: 2006-04-04
Filing date: 2007-04-04
Publication date: 2007-10-11
Also published as: WO2007113007A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a package containing a food product and an additive composition, wherein the additive composition is separated from the food product, wherein the package comprises means (7) for releasing the additive composition into the food product, and wherein the additive composition contains a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol. The invention further relates to the use of a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol in a health improving and/or maintaining diet, wherein the polyphenol and/or the plant extract containing a polyphenol is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product. Especially preferred polyphenols are (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol and hydroxytyrosol.

Description

Package containing (a plant extract comprising) a polyphenol and their uses

The present invention relates to a package containing a food product and an additive composition, wherein the additive composition is separated from the food product, wherein the package comprises means (especially means such as 7) for releasing the additive composition into the food product, and wherein the additive composition contains a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol and/or a tomato extract and/or a rose hip extract/concentrate, and wherein the additive composition being released into the food product is consumed simultaneously with the food product.

In an embodiment of the present invention the package comprises such means that the additive composition is automatically released into the food product when the package is opened.

The present invention is also directed to a closure device (12) for use with a package as defined in any of claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the closure device (12) contains an additive composition containing a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol and optionally means (7) for releasing the additive composition into the package, as well as to a method of preparing a food product containing a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol wherein the food product and an additive composition containing said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol are stored separately within a closed package and the additive composition containing said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol is released into the food product immediately before opening the package for consuming the food product.

Furthermore, the present invention is directed to the use of a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol in a health improving and/or maintaining diet, wherein the polyphenol and/or the plant extract containing a polyphenol is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product. Consumers of the food products are especially humans. In certain cases the food products may also be administered to companion animals such as cats and dogs.

An object of the present invention is a package containing a food product and an additive composition, wherein the additive composition is separated from the food product, wherein the package comprises means (especially such as 7) for releasing the additive composition into the food product, and wherein the additive composition contains a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol and/or a tomato extract and/or a rose hip extract/concentrate.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the additive composition is the polyphenol and/or the plant extract containing a polyphenol and/or the tomato extract and/or the rose hip extract/concentrate itself.

A preferred object of the present invention is a package containing a food product and an additive composition, wherein the additive composition is separated from the food product, wherein the package comprises means (especially such as 7) for releasing the additive composition into the food product, and wherein the additive composition contains a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol.

The term "package" as used herein refers to all kinds of packages which are used for food packaging preferably to bottles, cartons, containers, bags and boxes, wherein bottles and cartons are particularly preferred. Even more preferred are such bottles and cartons that are used for beverages of any kind (e.g. juices, water, etc.).

The package can be made of metal, plastic or a combination thereof. It is particularly preferred when the metal is aluminium and the plastic is polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). It is also possible that different parts of the package are made of different materials which are e.g. welded, solded, sealed or glued together.

The term "food product" refers to all kinds of food products which can be stored in a package as defined above preferably to food products of high water content such as beverages. Particularly preferred food products are (mineral) water, health food, sport drinks or lifestyle drinks, but also any other beverages like flavoured water or soft drinks with and without fruit juices, which are enriched with ingredients regarded to support health, e.g. antioxidants, dietary fibres or other health promoting ingredients. Such products are known in the art. Health food is generally any food which is said to have a beneficial effect on the health of the consumer due to its content of a health promoting, improving or maintaining active ingredient, such as prebiotic yoghurt drinks. Sports drinks are generally isotonic drinks which were primarily developed for use in sports but nowadays are generally marketed and consumed. Lifestyle drinks are e.g. drinks with guarana extract or other energy drinks or near-water drinks, i.e. non-caloric or low-caloric drinks that contain almost only water beside (traces of) functional ingredients.

Beverages wherein the additive composition as defined below can be added, may it be as a colorant or as a functional ingredient, can be carbonated beverages e.g., flavoured seltzer waters, soft drinks or mineral drinks, as well as non-carbonated beverages e.g. flavoured waters, fruit juices, fruit punches and concentrated forms of these beverages. They may be based on natural fruit or vegetable juices or on artificial flavours. Also included are alcoholic beverages and instant beverage powders. Besides, sugar containing beverages, diet beverages with non-caloric and artificial sweeteners are also included.

Further, dairy products, obtained from natural sources or synthetic, are within the scope of the food products wherein the compositions of the present invention can be used, especially as a colorant or as a functional ingredient. Typical examples of such products are milk drinks, yoghurt and the like. Milk replacing products such as soymilk drinks are also comprised within this range of application.

An "additive composition" in the sense of the present invention relates to all kinds of compositions containing food additives, plant extracts and/or physiologically active ingredients. Thus, the present invention is also directed to a package containing a food product and an additive composition, wherein the additive composition is separated from the food product, wherein the package comprises means (especially such as 7) for releasing the additive composition into the food product, and wherein the additive composition contains a food additive, a plant extract and/or a physiologically active ingredient. The additive composition may thereby not only contain one food additive, plant extract and/or physiologically active ingredient, but also mixtures of two or more of them.

Examples of plant extracts are tomatoe extracts, rose hip extracts/concentrates, green tea extracts, olives extracts and grapes extracts. Rose hip extract/concentrate and derivatives thereof

Examples of rosehip extract include dried rosehip extract, a lipophilic extract of rosehip (including rosehip oil, rosehip seed oil or a fractionated lipophilic extract) or a hydrophilic extract of rosehips (a rosehip extract comprising watersoluble parts of rosehips, such as for instance polysaccharides), as well as rosehip concentrate (dried and ground rose hips).

Rosehip extract may be obtained from rosehip, the fruit, petals and/or seeds from wild rose bushes, such as Rosa canina ("dog rose-hip"), Rosa gallica, Rosa condita, Rosa rugosa, Rosa hugonis, Rosa nitida, Rosa pendulina, Rosa pimpinellifolia, and Rosa sericea. Preferably, rosehip extract is prepared from the fruit (i.e. the rosehip).

Rosehip extract is a natural substance and hence its exact composition may vary somewhat. The hydrophilic extract preferably has a high vitamin C content in the range of between 0.6 and 1.5 mg per g, as well as other vitamins and minerals. An example of a rosehip extract is that produced in accordance with the description in US 6,024,960. Of course, the quantities of the specific vitamins and minerals may vary by species or through use of different extraction/concentration methods. An exemplary rosehip extract is shown in Table I (page 4 and 5) of WO 02/342274, however the invention is not limited thereto.

Dried rosehip concentrate can be obtained from dried and milled rosehips that are reduced to powder. A rosehip concentrate may for example be obtained in the following method:

Rosehips are harvested in a generally known manner when the hips are fully ripe. Rosehip can be obtained from any of the multiple species of plants that belong to the Rosa family, for example from rosehips from wild rose bushes, such as Rosa canina ("dog rose-hip"), Rosa gallica, Rosa condita, Rosa rugosa, Rosa hugonis, Rosa nitida, Rosa pendulina, Rosa pimpinellifolia, and Rosa sericea, more preferably hips of the rosa canina are used. After the hips are harvested, the hips are chopped into pieces. If further processing is delayed, the hips may be frozen for storage. In any event, the next step is to dry the chopped rosehips to a water content of about at most 5% by weight. Preferably, the drying is conducted in such a way that the vitamin content of the rosehips is preserved, for example by drying the rosehips at a temperature below 5O⁰C with air and by avoiding sunlight.

The dried and chopped rosehips may then be passed through a separation step in which extraneous matter, for instance nuts, hairs etc., that may have accompanied the rosehips during harvesting is removed. The remaining fruit flesh is then crushed in a grinding mill. Preferably, the obtained material has a particle size of below 1 mm, more preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 mm.

Therefore, a process for obtaining a dried and milled rosehip concentrate may comprise the following steps: a) harvesting rosehips when the hips are fully ripe b) chopping the harvested rosehips into pieces c) drying the chopped rosehips to a water content of at most 5% by weight d) optionally passing the dried and chopped rosehips through a separation step in which extraneous matter is removed e) optionally the fruit flesh and the seeds may be separated and extracted separatly f) crushing the remaining material in a grinding millβ to a particle size of below 1 mm.

A lipophilic extract of rosehips or a hydrophilic extract may be obtained by methods known to the person skilled in the art. For example, an extract may for example be obtained by extraction from dried and milled rosehips (for example as obtained by the method as described above) through solvent extraction or SFC extraction, using organic or inorganic solvents, examples of which include supercritical CO₂, hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol and water. After extraction, the obtained extract may be evaporated to dryness to recover an extract fraction.

Preferably, the extract (fraction) comprises at least cyanidin-3-o-glucoside, cyanidin-3-o- rutinoside or glycosides of diacylglycerol such as 3-.beta.-D-galactopyranosyloxy-2-(octa- deca-9Z,12Z,15Z-trienoyloxy)propanyl octadeca-9Z,12Z,15Z-trienoate (GOPO), in particular at least GOPO.

Green tea extract

Especially preferred are additive compositions containing a green tea extract containing (-)- epigallocatechin gallate in a range of from 10 to 100 weight-%, based on the total weight of the green tea extract.

Even more preferred are additive compositions containing a green tea extract containing (-)- epigallocatechin gallate in a range of from 20 to 100 weight-%, preferably in a range of from 40 to 100 weight-%, more preferably in a range of from 60 to 100 weight-%, most preferably in a range of from 80 to 100 weight-%, based on the total weight of the green tea extract. Most preferred are additive compositions containing a green tea extract comprising at least 91.7 weight-% of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and at most 1.43 weight-% of caffeine, especially such additive compositions containing a green tea extract comprising from 91.7 to 97.13 weight-% of EGCG, from 0 to 3.15 weight-% of epicatechin (EC), from 0 to 3.1 weight- % of catechin, from 0.2 to 1.52 weight-% of gallocatechin gallate (GCG), from 0.38 to 4.62 weight-% of epicatechin gallate (ECG) and from 0 to 1.43 weight-% of caffeine, based on the total weight of the green tea extract.

The term "green tea extract" also encompasses spray-dried green tea.

Olives extract

The term "olives extract" encompasses extracts of olives, extracts of olive leaves as well as extracts of any other part of olive trees. Also encompassed are fractions of the vegetation water which is obtained as waste water during olive oil production. Certain fractions of such vegetation water are rich in water-soluble polyphenols such as tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the additive composition contains a plant extract selected from the group consisting of green tea extracts, olives extract and grapes extract.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the additive composition contains a polyphenol selected from the group consisting of polyphenols from green tea, polyphenols from olives and polyphenols from grapes. The term "polyphenols" in the context of the present invention encompasses also derivatives of such polyphenols such their physiologically/pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The polyphenols may be of natural origin (i.e. extracts) or of synthetic origin. Preferably the polyphenols are not cross-linked. Even more preferably they are not cross-linked with a diacid halide as disclosed in US 5,780,060. According to US 5,780,060 the polyphenols are only used as free radical scavengers to protect other substances but not as biologically active ingredients themselves as they are according to the present invention.

Examples of polyphenols from green tea are (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG; with the chemical name (2R,3R)-2-(3,4,5-Trihydroxy-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-benzopyran-3_l5,7- triol-3-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzonate)), epicatechin (EC), catechin, gallocatechin gallate (GCG), and epicatechin gallate (ECG), whereby EGCG is especially preferred. EGCG is e.g. commercially available as Teavigo™ in a purity of at least 90%, preferably of at least 94%, from DSM Nutritional Products Ltd, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland, or as Teavigo™ TG in a purity of at least 88% from the same company.

Examples of polyphenols from olives are hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and oleuropein, whereby hydroxytyrosol is especially preferred.

Hvdroxytyrosol and derivatives thereof

Hydroxytyrosol may be of synthetic origin or it may be obtained together with other water- soluble polyphenols such as tyrosol and oleuropein from extraction of olive leaves, olive fruits and vegetation water of olive oil production.

Examples of references that deal with the extraction of oleuropein and/or hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves are WO02/18310, US 2002/0198415, WO2004/005228, US 6,416,808 and US 2002/0058078 which disclose a method for acidic hydrolysis of olive vegetation water for 2 to 12 months until at least 90% of the present oleuropein has been converted. A method of extraction of phenolic compounds from olives, olive pulps, olive oil and oil mill waste water is described by Usana Inc. patents US 6,361 ,803 and WO01/45514 and in US 2002/0004077. EP-A 1 582 512 describes an extraction of hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves. A method for obtaining hydroxytyrosol and/or oleuropein from the vegetation water of de-pitted olives is disclosed in US 2004/0039066 A1 in paragraphs [0080]-[0091].

Derivatives may be esters as well as physiologically/pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

A preferred example of polyphenols from grapes is resveratrol.

In another embodiment of the present invention the additive composition is a combination of (a pant extract containing) a polyphenol with one or more additional (physiologically active ingredient) ingredients, plant extracts and/or food additives.

Additional ingredients in the sense of the present invention may be e.g. substances which are usually added in the manufacture of food products to improve their appearance in taste, keep their quality and/or improving their nutrient content or health benefit (functional food ingredients with known physiological activities). Other examples of additional ingredients are colorants suitable for the human consumption. In particular, according to the present invention, the additive composition can contain one or more of the following additional food additives/active ingredients/colorants: coenzyme Q-10 (CoQ-10), genistein, vitamins (fat- soluble and water-soluble), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (derivative)s, and carotenoids (lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, apocarotenal, apocarotenoic esters, astaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene).

Preferably the additive composition does essentially not contain any mineral (salt)s, more preferably it does essentially not contain any mineral (salt)s selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, calcium, magnesium, mixtures of these and their salts.

In another preferred embodiment the additive composition does essentially not contain biotin or any derivative thereof.

"Essentially not containing" in the context of the present invention means that no additional mineral (salt)s or biotin are added to the additive composition.

An additive composition and the plant extract contained therein containing any mineral (salt)s and/or biotin in traces are still within the scope of the present invention.

When CoQ-10 or fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, E, D and K and derivatives such as esters thereof) or carotenoids or other fat-soluble colorants or (physiologically active) ingredients are used they are preferably used in form of water-soluble formulations, i.e. embedded in a matrix of plant hydrocolloids such as starch or gelatine. The same applies for any other fat- soluble additional ingredient. Water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C or the B vitamins may be used as such.

The additive composition can be in dry/solid or liquid form wherein the dry form (a form being essentially water-free) is preferred. If the additive composition is used in liquid form a concentrate is particularly preferred. If the additive composition is used in dry form, powders or granulates are particularly preferred. The amount of the additional ingredient and/or the (plant extract containing) the polyphenol present in the additive composition can be chosen by a skilled person depending on the effect he wishes to achieve and within the recommended daily dosage.

A concentrate as used in the present invention is a form of substance or liquid which has had the majority of its base component or solvent removed. Typically this will be the removal or partial removal of water from a solution or suspension. The benefits of concentrates are a weight reduction for transportation and the preservative effect wherein the concentrate can be reconstituted at the time of usage by a new addition of solvent. These terms are well known in the art of food technology.

A powder is understood to be a solid substance which has been pulverised and is now in form of tiny loose particles. A granulate is generally made from powder which has undergone a second processing step called "granulation". These terms are well known in the art of technology.

Preferably, the additive composition contains the polyphenols (or plant extracts containing such polyphenols) and the additional ingredients in such an amount that the below mentioned daily dosages are achieved.

(-)-Epiqallocatechin qallate: daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 2 to 1000 mg; preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 2 to 300 mg, more preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 5 to 75 mg, most preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 10 to 50 mg.

Hvdroxytyrosol: daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 5 to 500 mg, preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 50 to 100 mg.

Resveratrol: daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 1 to 500 mg; preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 1 to 100 mg, more preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 5 to 50 mg, most preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 20 to 30 mg.

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (derivative): daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 10 mg to 5 g for a n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid triglyceride; preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 100 mg to 4 g for a n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid triglyceride; more preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 100 mg to 1 g for a n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid triglyceride. Rose hip extract: The nutraceutical compositions of the present invention preferably comprise rosehip extract in an amount sufficient to administer to a human adult (weighing about 70 kg) a dosage from 20 mg/day based on the weight of dried rosehip concentrate to 30 g/day based on the weight of dried rosehip concentrate, preferably from 2 g/day to 10 g/day based on the weight of dried rosehip concentrate; more preferably from 5 g/day to 5 g/day based on the weight of dried rosehip concentrate.

Thus, if the nutraceutical composition is a food or beverage the amount of a dried rosehip concentrate comprised therein is preferably in the range from about 0.2 g to about 10 g per serving. If the composition is a pharmaceutical composition such composition may for example comprise from 20 mg to 1 g per solid dosage unit, e.g., per capsule or tablet, or for example from 500 mg per daily dose to 6000 mg per daily dose of a liquid formulation.

If instead of dried rosehip concentrate, rosehip oil or an individual rosehip compound is used, the amount used may be derived from the amount of dried rosehip concentrate and finding the optimal dosage is a matter of routine experimentation for the person skilled in the art.

Lutein: For usual applications the daily dosage for humans (usually determined for a 70 kg person) for lutein should not exceed 40 mg, preferably not exceed 25 mg. In some embodiments of the invention the daily dosage for humans (70 kg person) for lutein can be between 0.1 to 40 mg, more preferably between 0.5 to 25 mg.

Lvcopene: For usual applications the daily dosage for humans (usually determined for a 70 kg person) for lycopene not exceed 60 mg, preferably not exceed 30 mg. In some embodiments of the invention the daily dosage for humans (70 kg person) for lycopene between 0.1 to 60 mg, more preferably between 1.0 to 30 mg.

β-Cryptoxanthin: For usual applications the daily dosage for humans (usually determined for a 70 kg person) for β-cryptoxanthin not exceed 20 mg, preferably not exceed 15 mg. In some embodiments of the invention the daily dosage for humans (70 kg person) for β- cryptoxanthin between 0.1 to 20 mg, more preferably between 0.5 to 15 mg.

Zeaxanthin: daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 0.1 to 20 mg, preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 2 to 7 mg, more preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): ca. 4 mg. Vjtamin E: For humans (70 kg person) the daily dosage preferably may vary for vitamin E between 15 mg and 2 g, more preferably between 15 and 500 mg.

Vitamin C: For humans (70 kg person) the daily dosage preferably may vary for vitamin C between 100 mg and 5 g, more preferably between 200 mg and 1.5 g.

Vitamin B12: daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 0.5 to 10 μg, preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 1 to 5 μg, more preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 2.4 to 3 μg.

CoQ-10: daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 1 to 100 mg, preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 5 to 60 mg.

β-Carotene: daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 0.1 to 50 mg, preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 1 and 30 mg, more preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 2 to 7 mg.

Genistein: daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 1 to 150 mg, preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 20 to 60 mg, more preferred daily dosage for humans (70 kg person): 20 to 40 mg.

The present invention is also directed to the additive composition itself. The additive composition is intended for release/is released into the food product shortly before the consumption of said food product containing a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol. Thus, the additive composition having been released into the food product is consumed simultaneously with the food product.

An advantage of putting the active ingredients in the additive composition and not in the food product itself is that it is easier to ensure an equal distribution of the active ingredient in the food product to be consumed.

Furthermore, especially in case of EGCG and green tea extracts containing it, it ensures a defined concentration of the active ingredient (especially of EGCG) in the final food product.

EGCG e.g. is not stable in pH-neutral and pH-basic beverages, but only in pH-acid beverages. That means that if EGCG would be added directlv to DH-neutral and nH-hasir beverages the amount of EGCG consumed would be dependent on when the consumer would consume it; whereas if according to the present invention the additive composition containing the EGCG and thus the EGCG itself would be only added shortly before consumption of the pH-neutral or pH-basic beverage (meaning preferably a time range between immediately and 15 minutes before consumption) the EGCG would have not been degraded to a certain extent and the amount consumed would correspond the amount of EGCG in the additive composition.

Preferably the polyphenol in the inventive additive composition is not cross-linked, preferably the polyphenol is not cross-linked with a diacid halide as disclosed in US 5,780,060.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the additive composition does essentially not contain any mineral (salt)s. Even more preferably it does essentially not contain any mineral (salt)s selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, calcium, magnesium, mixtures of these and their salt (mixture)s.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the additive composition does essentially not contain biotin or any derivative thereof.

The other preferences as named above also apply for the additive composition itself, i.e. preferably the additive composition is essentially water-free; and/or preferably it is in powder form or in the form of granulates; and/or preferably it contains either a polyphenol selected from the group consisting of polyphenols from green tea (especially (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)), polyphenols from olives (especially hydroxytyrosol) and polyphenols from grapes (especially resveratrol); or a plant extract selected from the group consisting of green tea extracts, olives extract and grapes extract; or especially a green tea extract containing epigallocatechin gallate in a range of from 10 to 100 weight-%, based on the total weight of the green tea extract.

The green tea extract preferably contains (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in a range of from 20 to 100 weight-%, preferably in a range of from 40 to 100 weight-%, more preferably in a range of from 60 to 100 weight-%, most preferably in a range of from 80 to 100 weight-%, based on the total weight of the green tea extract.

The food product, to which the additive composition is added is preferably a beverage; especially a health food, a sport drink or a lifestvle drink. The additive composition is separated from the food product within the package. The separation of the additive composition can be effected e.g. by enclosing the additive composition in a capsule. In the sense of the present invention the term "capsule" relates to all kinds of small containers, boxes, pads, sachets, cassettes or cartridges suitable for containing and - when opening the capsule - releasing an additive composition containing the polyphenol (e.g. EGCG) and/or the plant extract containing the polyphenol (and/or the tomatoe extract and/or the rose hip extract/concentrate). Usually the capsule protects the additive composition against oxygen, humidity and light.

In a preferred embodiment the capsule is made of metal or plastic material or a combination thereof. It is particularly preferred when the metal is aluminium and the plastic is PP or PE. Other suitable materials are known to a skilled person.

In an embodiment of the present invention the capsule containing the additive composition is attached to the bottle, container etc. containing the food product. Thus, the consumer opens the bottle, container etc. containing the food product as well as the capsule attached to it and then pours the content of the capsule, i.e. the additive composition, into the food product. Mixing is achieved - depending on the form of the food product - by shaking (liquid forms) or by stirring (semi-liquid forms).

The package of the present invention preferably comprises a closure device which closes the package during storage and transport and which is opened for pouring the food product into e.g. a cup or a plate or for consuming the food product directly from the package. According to the present invention the closure device preferably has a further function. In particular, the closure device can contain the additive composition (e.g. the capsule with the additive composition) and/or means for releasing the additive composition into the food product (such as cutting means for cutting or disrupting the capsule upon which the additive composition falls or flows into the food product).

Closure devices for storing substances which can be used in the present invention are known in the art. Commercially available closure devices are e.g. available from the company BelCap AG under the trademark "FillCap" or from the company Biogaia under the trademark "LifeTopCap". In a preferred embodiment the closure device is made of metal or plastic material or a combination thereof. It is particularly preferred when the metal is aluminium and the plastic is PP or PE.

In a preferred embodiment the closure device contains the additive composition with the preferences as defined above incorporated in a capsule as defined above. In a further preferred embodiment the closure device is e.g. the cap of a bottle wherein the additive composition is enclosed and which enclosure is opened when the bottle is opened.

The package of the present invention further comprises means for releasing the additive composition into the food product. Such means are to be understood of any kind suitable for opening the compartment wherein the additive composition is stored in a way that the additive composition is released and admixed with the food product. The means for releasing the additive composition into the food product can for example be a small knife which cuts the capsule containing the additive composition or ball or a protrusion which disrupts the capsule containing the additive composition. The means can be contained either in the closure device or can be attached to the part of the package containing the food product.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention it is also possible that the means for releasing the additive composition as well as the additive composition are both contained within the closure device.

The closure device can be mounted on the rest of the package by a thread screw, plug-in connector, an adhesive tape or by other suitable means.

Suitable packages for storing a food product and a separated additive composition are described in a number of published patent applications..

Such a package is for example described in WO 02/092440 A2 wherein a substance which is to be added to a food product is stored between two layers in a first compartment and the food product is stored in a second compartment. The package also possesses cutting means (means for releasing) which are situated on top of the first compartment and the separately stored substance is admixed to the food product when pressing the cutting means downward to the first compartment, so that either the lower layer only or both the upper and lower layer of the first compartment are cut by the cutting means, releasing the separately stored substance to the food product contained in the second compartment. A similar device is described in WO 03/043898 A1. This device consists of an upper layer having an upwardly convex central portion and a planar rim extending around the central portion, a thin planar puncturable lower layer parallel to the planar rim which is sealed to the planar rim to form a compartment having an inside area for storing a substance and a cutter piece (means for releasing) within this compartment. The device is attached to a container, wherein - when the central portion is depressed - the cutter punctures the lower layer and the substance is released into the container.

AU-B 772436 discloses a device and means for adding a selected substance to a main package, thus forming a two-compartment container that keeps the first substance which may, for example, be moisture sensitive, from a second substance (e.g. food product), preferably a liquid, until a selected time before use. The device comprises a delivery package which is mounted on the main package and which has a compartment containing the first substance and a puncturer for cutting (means for releasing) through the compartment and the main package to release the first substance into the main package at a selected time of use.

Another package is described in US 2001/0004054 A1. This package consists of a first compartment for a first substance (separately stored substance) with an upper and a lower layer and a second compartment for a second substance (food product), wherein the first compartment is mounted either within or outside the second compartment. There are also cutting means (means for releasing) provided for cutting both, the upper and lower layers, to release the first substance into the second compartment.

There is already a package on the market, wherein an appetite suppressant - though stored separately - is administered together with water. The appetite suppressant is contained in the closing cap of a bottle and will be admixed with the water when the bottle is opened ("bottled water world", Issue 34, Jan - Feb 2006, page 21 ).

All these known packages are suitable for use in the present invention and the disclosure of the above documents is incorporated herein by reference insofar, as packages and closure devices are described. With regard to technical details of preferred packages for use in the present invention it is thus explicitly referred to the packages disclosed in WO02/092440, WO03/043898, AU-B 772436, US 2001/0004054 and in "bottled water world", Issue 34, Jan - Feb 2006, page 21 and the product described therein. Other suitable packages are also disclosed e.g. in US 3802604, US 5884759, CH 694051 , and DE 29907740, and the packages of these documents are also included herein by reference.

Two packages which are preferred according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the capsule is contained in the closure device.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the closure device as shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the capsule is contained in the closure device.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the closure device as shown in figure 3.

In the first embodiment (Figures 1 and 2) the closure device 12 consists of an upper part 1 which contains the capsule 5 filled with an additive composition containing EGCG, a lower part 3 for amounting the closure device to the part of the package 4 which contains the food product (not shown) and a flexible band 2 for connecting the upper part 1 and the lower part 3 of the closure device. The lower part 3 contains the means (not shown) for releasing the additive composition. When opening the package the consumer has to remove the band 2 and he can then twist the upper part 1 of the closure device 12 on the lower part 3 of the closure device so that the means for releasing the additive composition which are contained in the lower part 3 come in contact with the surface of the capsule 5, cut through the surface of the capsule 5 or disrupt this surface. The additive composition contained in the capsule 5 flows into the food product and is mixed with the food product e.g. by shaking the package. Then the complete closure device comprising parts 1 and 3 can be removed by twisting the lower part 3 of the closure device which is screwed on the rest of the package containing the food product and the food product can be removed from the package for consumption.

A second embodiment is shown in figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment a capsule 11 containing the additive composition is positioned in the lower part 6 of the closure device 12 whereas the upper part 8 of the closure device contains the cutting means 7 for releasing the additive composition. Upper and lower part are connected by a flexible band 9 and the closure device consisting of upper part 8 (with cutting means 7) and lower Dart 6 (with capsule 11 ) mounted on the rest of the package 4 containing the food product (not shown) by a screw thread 10. For storing and shipping of then package, the upper part 8 is fixed on the lower part 6 of the closure device, but the cutting means 7 are not in contact with the capsule 11. For opening the package the consumer presses the upper part 8 into the lower part 6 so that the cutting means 7 cut through the capsule 11 and the additive composition is released to the part 4 of the package which contains the food product. The food product containing the additive composition can then be removed from the package either by opening the upper part 8 of the closure device or by unscrewing the lower part 6 of the closure device and thus removing the complete closure device.

The above specific packages are principally known in the art and a skilled person can adapt the devices described above if necessary.

Thus, the present invention is also directed to a closure device containing the additive composition with the preferences as defined above. The present invention also provides a closure device (12) for use with a package as defined above, characterized in that the closure device (12) contains an additive composition containing a food additive, a plant extract and/or a physiologically active ingredient, especially containing a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol, and optionally means (7) for releasing the additive composition into the package.

Preferred is a closure device (12) for use with a package as defined above, characterized in that the closure device (12) contains an additive composition with the preferences as defined above and optionally means (7) for releasing the additive composition into the package.

Finally, the present invention also provides a method of preparing a food product containing a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol and/or a tomato extract and/or a rose hip extract/concentrate, wherein the food product and an additive composition containing said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol are stored separately within a closed package and the additive composition containing said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol is released into the food product immediately before opening the package for consuming the food product. The same method also applies for preparing a food product by adding an additive composition containing a food additive, any other plant extract and/or physiologically active ingredient, or any mixture of two or more of them.

Preferred is a method of preparing a food product containing a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol wherein the food product and an additive composition containing said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol are stored separately within a closed package and the additive composition containing said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol is released into the food product immediately before opening the package for consuming the food product.

Preferably a package as defined and with the preferences as cited above is used.

The packages according to the present invention are particularly useful to increase the shelf life of the additive composition containing (a plant extract containing) a polyphenol.

Further advantages are that colorations of the food product due to inter-actions of polyphenols with Fe²VFe³⁺ ions as they may be present e.g. in water may be prevented, since the contact time of the polyphenols with the food product before consumption is reduced because the additive composition and thus the polyphenols are added to the food product shortly prior to consumption. For the same reason, inter-actions of polyphenols with proteins as they may be present e.g. in juices and milk may also be prevented.

A further advantage is that colour effects may be achieved by the packages according to the present invention when a colorant is part of the additive composition. Since the colorant only flows in the food product when the package is opened the process of colouring may be recognized by the consumer and he/she gets an esthetical impression. Depending on the food product and the colorant colour changes may be recognized: If β-carotene e.g. is used as colorant and the food product is a beverage on water basis then depending on the starting colour of the water colour changes from colourless to yellow-orange or from bluish to green may be achieved.

Beside β-carotene further suitable colorants to be added to the additive composition are in general all colorants that are suitable for human consumption. ExamDles mav be further carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, canthaxanthin, apocarotenal, apocarotenoic esters, astaxanthin and lycopene.

The packages according to the present invention are particularly useful if (the plant extract containing) the polyphenol is intended to assist in a health improving and/or maintaining diet.

Thus, an object of the present invention is the use of a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol in a health improving and/or maintaining diet, wherein the polyphenol and/or the plant extract containing a polyphenol is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product. This food product is then especially consumed by humans.

"Health improving and/or maintaining" in the context of the present invention encompasses maintaining in good shape as well as preventing diseases or aching conditions such as inflammations.

In a preferred embodiment the food product is a beverage.

In a further preferred embodiment the food product is a health food, a sport drink, a dairy product, a soft drink or a lifestyle drink.

In an also preferred embodiment the package comprises a closure device which contains the additive composition.

In a further preferred embodiment the closure device contains a capsule containing the additive composition.

In an also preferred embodiment the package comprises a closure device which contains means for releasing the additive composition into the food product.

In a further preferred embodiment the package comprises a closure device containing the additive composition and means for releasing the additive composition into the food product. Another object of the present invention is the use of EGCG and/or a green tea extract containing EGCG in a non-therapeutic weight loosing diet, wherein the EGCG and/or the green tea extract containing EGCG is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of EGCG and/or said green tea extract containing EGCG and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product. For the packages the preferences as given above apply. Such food products are then especially consumed by humans. The present invention also encompasses the use of EGCG and/or a green tea extract containing EGCG in a therapeutic weight loosing diet, wherein the EGCG and/or the green tea extract containing EGCG is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of EGCG and/or said green tea extract containing EGCG and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product.

Thus, the invention relates to the use of EGCG in a weight loosing diet and to a package containing EGCG as component of an additive composition and a food product. According to the invention EGCG is particularly useful in a weight loosing diet, if it is provided in such a package.

Since caffeine increases the activity of EGCG to burn fat and carbohydrates, the additive composition preferably contains caffeine. So, in another preferred embodiment, the food product contains caffeine. In a further preferred embodiment, both the additive composition and the food product contain caffeine.

The amount of further additives such as caffeine present in the additive composition can be chosen by a skilled person depending on the effect he wishes to achieve. If caffeine is used in combination with EGCG the daily dosage of caffeine may e.g. vary preferably from 2.5 mg per kg body weight to 7.5 mg per kg body weight.

Such packages for use in non-therapeutic weight loosing diets are especially important, since in modern society many people feel themselves overweight and many people try to loose weight through weight reducing diets. The most simple way of dieting is reducing the amount of consumed food or changing to low calorie food, however very often people want to either loose weight without significantly changing their eating habits or to speed the process of weight loss. Thus many products are on the market, which are intended to support people in weight reducing diets.

On the other hand, many people have reservations against taking "unnatural" chemical compounds or medicaments for loosing weight and many weight loosing medicaments on the market can have significant side effects. For dieting people it would be very helpful if there existed food products, which they can consume in addition to their usual food and which nevertheless causes weight loss or if there would be a method to adapt their usual food for achieving weight loss.

Thus, there is a need for food products, in particular health food, sport food, life style food, beverages etc. which support weight reducing diets, which need is fulfilled by that object of the present invention.

A further object of the present invention is the use of EGCG and/or a green tea extract containing EGCG in a cardiovascular health maintaining or improving diet, wherein the EGCG and/or the green tea extract containing EGCG is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of EGCG and/or said green tea extract containing EGCG and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product. For the packages the preferences as given above apply. Such food products are then especially consumed by humans.

Furthermore, an object of the present invention is the use of EGCG and/or a green tea extract containing EGCG in a diet for maintaining or increasing the tensile properties of the skin, for maintaining a smooth and firm skin and/or for beautifying the silhouette/bodyshape, wherein the EGCG and/or the green tea extract containing EGCG is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of EGCG and/or said green tea extract containing EGCG and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product. For the packages the preferences as given above apply. Such food products are then especially consumed by humans. An object of the present invention is also the use of EGCG and/or a green tea extract containing EGCG in a diet for the treatment of cellulite, for the prevention of the development of mild cellulite, for the prevention of the progression of mild cellulite to severe cellulite, for smoothening the micro relief of the skin, and/or for reducing the fat mass and the circumference at the hips and thighs, wherein the EGCG and/or the green tea extract containing EGCG is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of EGCG and/or said green tea extract containing EGCG and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product. For the packages the preferences as given above apply. Such food product is then intended for the consumption by femal humans.

EGCG in sun protection products

Green tea polyphenols such as EGCG reduce the protein oxidation caused by chronic UV exposure in mammals, especially in humans. Furthermore they reduce the UV induction of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) involved in collagen degradation. Therefore, it is beneficial to have green tea extract containing at least 10% of EGCG or another green tea extract (with the preferences) as defined above in sun protection products.

Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention is a sun protection mixture that contains a green tea extract containing at least 10% of EGCG or another green tea extract (with the preferences) as defined above.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a sun protection mixture with the composition as cited below. This mixture can be put into tablets, but also in the package (7) of the cap of a bottle. The latter is especially preferred for people who prefer to consume the necessary ingredients with their beverages and not separately as a pill. It also has the advantage that thirst is increased under hot conditions while hunger is reduced, i.e. if the sun shines and the temperature rise the mammals, especially the humans, have an increased intake of beverages. If these beverages now contain the sun protection mixture as cited below the intake of this sun protection mixture is direct proportional to the heat, i.e. to the intensity of sun light, i.e. of UV light.

Another object of the present invention is therefore the use of EGCG and/or a green tea extract containing EGCG in a UV protecting diet, wherein the EGCG and/or the green tea extract containing EGCG is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of EGCG and/or said green tea extract containing EGCG and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product. For the packages the preferences as given above apply. Such food products are then especially consumed by humans.

EGCG in skin stress protection products

EGCG protects the skin from stress, especially from oxidative stress as caused by UV radiation, smoke, environmental pollution, daily stress and malnutrition. Therefore, it is beneficial to have green tea extract containing at least 10% of EGCG or another green tea extract (with the preferences) as defined above in skin stress protection products.

Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention is a skin stress protection mixture that contains a green tea extract containing at least 10% of EGCG or another green tea extract (with the preferences) as defined above.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a skin stress protection mixture with the composition as cited below. This mixture can be put into tablets, but also in the package (7) of the cap of a bottle. The latter is especially preferred for people who prefer to consume the necessary ingredients with their meals/snacks and not separately as a pill.

Thus, a further object of the present invention is the use of EGCG and/or a green tea extract containing EGCG in a skin stress protecting diet, wherein the EGCG and/or the green tea extract containing EGCG is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of EGCG and/or said green tea extract containing EGCG and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product. For the packages the preferences as given above apply. Such food products are then especially consumed by humans.

The package of the present invention is also helpful for other uses of EGCG or other physiologically active ingredients and the package can advantageously be employed wherever it is intended to provide a food product containing relatively high amounts of EGCG or this physiologically active ingredient, respectively. EGCG e.g. possesses strong antioxidant activity and plays an important role in preventing from cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, it has already been demonstrated that EGCG has an antimutagenic effect, an antibacterial effect and also a beneficial effect on cholesterol level in blood. In addition it has been suggested as reversal agent of MDR (multidrug resistence) which may improve the sensitivity of the cancer cell to the chemotherapy drug and reduce the toxicity on the heart. EGCG has also been reported to be useful in the treatment of obesity.

While the invention has been described as reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, modifications and embodiment*; ΛΓP nnccihio anH accordingly all such variations, modifications and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The following examples illustrate the present invention.

Examples

Example 1 : Sun protection Beverage

Sun Protection Mixture

Ingredient Amount (per 250 ml water)

Beta-carotene 3 mg

Lycopene (e.g. commercially available as 3 mg Redivivo by DSM Nutritional Products Ltd, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland)

Lutein 1.5 mg

Vitamin E 100 mg

Vitamin C 250 mg

EGCG (e.g. commercially available as 25 mg Teavigo by DSM Nutritional Products Ltd, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland)

In an embodiment of the present invention half of the amount of the above mentioned sun protection mixture is put into the sealed package (7) in the cap of a bottle containing 125 ml of water. When the bottle is opened the package (7) is opened, the mixture contained therein flows into the water and after shaking the beverage is ready to drink. To provide a base protection against UV light it may be recommended to drink 250 ml of such a sun protection beverage each day. Exanrtple 2: Skin Stress Protection Yoghurt

In an embodiment of the present invention the above mentioned skin stress protection mixture is put into a sealed package (7) attached to the container containing 150 g of joghurt. After the container has been opened the package (7) is also opened and its content poured into the joghurt. After stirring the joghurt is ready to eat. To provide a base protection against skin stress it may be recommended to eat 150 g of such a skin stress protection joghurt each day.

Example 3: Preparation and administration of a fortified food (fortified yoghurt) according to the present invention

Fermented Yoghurt drink (probiotic) 1.5% fat

In an embodiment of the present invention the above mentioned additive composition is put into the sealed package (7) in the cap of a bottle containing 1000 g of a joghurt drink. When the bottle is opened the package (7) is opened, the mixture contained therein flows into the joghurt drink and after shaking the joghurt drink is ready to drink.

For maintaining or increasing the tensile properties of the skin, for maintaining a smooth and firm skin and/or for beautifying the silhouette/bodyshape a person in need thereof should eat 1 serving a 60 g a day at least for 3-6 months.

For the treatment of cellulite, for the prevention of the development of mild cellulite, for the prevention of the progression of mild cellulite to severe cellulite, for smoothening the micro relief of the skin, and/or for reducing the fat mass and the circumference at the hips and thighs a femal human in need thereof should eat 3 servings a 6O g a day at least for 3-6 months.

Preparation

Warm milk to 40⁰C

Add dry ingredients (sugar, stabiliser), triglycerides of (polyunsaturated) fatty acids and colour (β-carotene) and heat to 65°C Homogenise at 65⁰C P1 : 150bar/P2: 50bar

Pasteurise at 90⁰C, 20 min

Cool down to 45⁰C

Add starter culture and stir

Ferment at 45°C until the pH has reached 4.3 Cool down, add flavour and stir

Homogenise at 25⁰C, 30 bar.

Cool down to 10°C Package and store at cool temperatures.

Mix EGCG₁ genistein and resveratrol and enclose in capsule of closure device.

Claims

1. Package containing a food product and an additive composition, wherein the additive composition is separated from the food product, wherein the package comprises means (especially such as 7) for releasing the additive composition into the food product, and wherein the additive composition contains a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol and/or a tomatoe extract and/or a rose hip extract/concentrate, and wherein the additive composition being released into the food product is consumed simultaneously with the food product.

2. The package according to claim 1 , wherein the additive composition contains a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol.

3. The package according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said polyphenol is not cross-linked.

4. The package according to claim 3, wherein said polyphenol is not cross-linked with a diacid halide.

5. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive composition does essentially not contain any minerals.

6. The package according to claim 5, wherein the additive composition does essentially not contain any minerals selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, calcium, magnesium, and mixtures of these.

7. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive composition does essentially not contain biotin or any derivative thereof.

8. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive composition is essentially water-free.

9. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive composition is in powder form.

10. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive composition is in form of granulates.

11. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive composition contains a polyphenol selected from the group consisting of polyphenols from green tea (especially (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)), polyphenols from olives (especially hydroxytyrosol) and polyphenols from grapes (especially resveratrol).

12. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the additive composition contains a plant extract selected from the group consisting of green tea extracts, olives extract and grapes extract.

13. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the additive composition contains a green tea extract containing epigallocatechin gallate in a range of from 10 to 100 weight-%, based on the total weight of the green tea extract.

14. The package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the food product is a beverage.

15. The package according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the food product is a health food, a sport drink or a lifestyle drink.

16. The package according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the additive composition contains a green tea extract containing (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in a range of from 20 to 100 weight-%, preferably in a range of from 40 to 100 weight-%, more preferably in a range of from 60 to 100 weight-%, most preferably in a range of from 80 to 100 weight-%, based on the total weight of the green tea extract.

17. The package according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a closure device (12) which contains the additive composition.

18. The package according to claim 17, wherein the closure device (12) contains a capsule (5,11 ) containing the additive composition.

19. The package according to any one of preceding claims comprising a closure device (12) which contains the means (7) for releasing the additive composition into the food product.

20- The package according to any one of preceding claims comprising a closure device (12) containing both the additive composition and the means (7) for releasing the additive composition.

21 . Closure device (12) for use with a package as defined in any of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the closure device (12) contains an additive composition containing a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol and optionally means (7) for releasing the additive composition into the package.

22. Method of preparing a food product containing a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol wherein the food product and an additive composition containing said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol are stored separately within a closed package and the additive composition containing said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol is released into the food product immediately before opening the package for consuming the food product.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the package is defined as in any of claims 1 to 20.

24. An additive composition for release into a food product shortly before the consumption of said food product containing a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol.

25. The additive composition according to claim 24, wherein the additive composition having been released into the food product is consumed simultaneously with the food product.

26. The additive composition according to claim 24 or 25, wherein said polyphenol is not cross-linked.

27. The additive composition according to claim 26, wherein said polyphenol is not cross- linked with a diacid halide.

28. The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein the additive composition does essentially not contain any minerals.

29. The additive composition according to claim 28, wherein the additive composition does essentially not contain any minerals selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, calcium, magnesium, and mixtures of these.

30. The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 29, wherein the additive composition does essentially not contain biotin or any derivative thereof.

31 . The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein the additive composition is essentially water-free.

32. The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 31 , wherein the additive composition is in powder form.

33. The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 31 , wherein the additive composition is in form of granulates.

34. The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 33, wherein the additive composition contains a polyphenol selected from the group consisting of polyphenols from green tea (especially (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)), polyphenols from olives (especially hydroxytyrosol) and polyphenols from grapes (especially resveratrol).

35. The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 33, wherein the additive composition contains a plant extract selected from the group consisting of green tea extracts, olives extract and grapes extract.

36. The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 33, wherein the additive composition contains a green tea extract containing epigallocatechin gallate in a range of from 10 to 100 weight-%, based on the total weight of the green tea extract.

37. The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 36, wherein the food product is a beverage.

38. The additive composition according to any one of claims 24 to 36, wherein the food product is a health food, a sport drink or a lifestyle drink.

39. The additive composition according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the additive composition contains a green tea extract containing (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in a range of from 20 to 100 weight-%, preferably in a range of from 40 to 100 weight-%, more preferably in a range of from 60 to 100 weight-%, most preferably in a range of from 80 to 100 weight- %, based on the total weight of the green tea extract.

40. The closure device according to claim 21 containing an additive composition as defined in any one of claims 26 to 39.

41. Use of a polyphenol and/or a plant extract containing a polyphenol in a health improving and/or maintaining diet, wherein the polyphenol and/or the plant extract containing a polyphenol is provided in a package containing a food product and separated from the food product an additive composition comprising or consisting of said polyphenol and/or said plant extract containing a polyphenol and wherein the additive composition is released into the food product immediately prior to the consumption of the food product.

42. The use according to claim 41 , wherein the food product is a beverage.

43. The use according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the food product is a health food, a sport drink, a dairy product, a soft drink or a lifestyle drink.

44. The use according to any of claims 41 to 43, wherein the package comprises a closure device which contains the additive composition.

45. The use according to claim 41 , wherein the closure device contains a capsule containing the additive composition.

46. The use according to any of claims 41 to 45, wherein the package comprises a closure device which contains means for releasing the additive composition into the food product.

47. The use according to any of claims 41 to 46, wherein the package comprises a closure device containing the additive composition and means for releasing the additive composition into the food product.

48. The use according to any of claims 41 to 47, wherein the polyphenol is EGCG which is used in a non-therapeutic weight loosing diet.

49. The use according to any of claims 41 to 47, wherein the polyphenol is EGCG which is used in a cardiovascular health maintaining or improving diet.

50. The use according to any of claims 41 to 47, wherein the polyphenol is EGCG which is used in a UV protecting diet.

51. The use according to any of claims 41 to 47, wherein the polyphenol is EGCG which is used in a skin stress protecting diet.

52. The use according to any of claims 41 to 47, wherein the polyphenol is EGCG which is used in a diet for maintaining or increasing the tensile properties of the skin, for maintaining a smooth and firm skin and/or for beautifying the silhouette/bodyshape.

53. The use according to any of claims 41 to 47, wherein the polyphenol is EGCG which is used in a diet for the treatment of cellulite, for the prevention of the development of mild cellulite, for the prevention of the progression of mild cellulite to severe cellulite, for smoothening the micro relief of the skin, and/or for reducing the fat mass and the circumference at the hips and thighs.

54. Sun protection mixture comprising β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, vitamin E, vitamin C and green tea extract.

55. Skin stress protection mixture comprising vitamin E, triglycerides of polyunsaturated fatty acids and green tea extract.