Title:  Functional sodium chloride compositions

United States Patent:  6,242,040

Assignee:  Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Osaka, JP)

Filed:  January 14, 1999

PCT NO:  PCT/JP97/02412

102(e) Date:  January 14, 1999

PCT PUB. Date:  January 22, 1998

Foreign Application Priority Data:  Jul 15, 1996[JP] (8-205195)

Novel functional sodium chloride compositions containing sodium gluconate as a substitute for the conventionally employed sodium chloride and being efficacious in preventing hypertension and the onset of complications thereof in the brain, heart, kidney; etc. These compositions are prepared by adding 40 to 400 parts by weight of sodium gluconate to 100 parts by weight of compositions containing 40 to 60% by weight of sodium chloride and 60 to 40% by weight of potassium chloride. These compositions are usable as a table salt for seasoning foods or in imparting the required saltiness to foods such as crackers or snacks. They are particularly appropriate for those who should cut down on the amount of salt in the diet.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The inventors of this invention did an intensive exploration for a solution to the problem that there was not an agent providing for saltiness quality-wise equivalent to that of sodium chloride without inducing elevation of blood pressure and arrived at sodium gluconate which, among various salts of sodium, has little effect on blood pressure. The inventors then created a functional sodium chloride composition equivalent to sodium chloride taste-wise by adding sodium gluconate to the conventional potassium salt composition (a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride) and have ultimately developed this instant invention.

This invention, therefore, is concerned with a performance (functional) salt composition available upon blending of about 40-400 parts by weight (preferably about 50-100 parts by weight) of sodium gluconate with 100 parts by weight of a mixture of about 40-60 weight % of sodium chloride and about 60-40 weight % of potassium chloride.

This invention provides a novel functional dietary salt composition taking the pace of the conventional agent sodium chloride and useful for preventing hypertension or onset of cerebral, cardiac and renal complications of hypertension. The composition may find application as a substitute table salt for imparting saltiness to dishes or as an ingredient in crackers, snack foods and other food products requiring saltiness.

The functional sodium chloride composition of the invention which, as aforesaid, is a composition available upon blending of about 40-400 parts by weight of sodium gluconate with 100 parts by weight of a mixture salt consisting of about 40-60 weight % of sodium chloride and about 60-40 weight % of potassium chloride has a salty taste of the same quality as that of sodium chloride and is characterized in that it scarcely contributes to age-related elevation of blood pressure and inhibits onset of apoplexy.

In the functional sodium chloride composition of the invention, the weight ratio of sodium chloride to potassium chloride should be within the range of 60:40 through 40:60. When potassium chloride is used in excess of 60 weight %, the bitterness of potassium chloride can hardly be masked. When the proportion of potassium chloride is smaller than 40 weight %, the sodium-sparing effect is limited. A mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride presents a characteristic bitter taste but this bitterness can be masked by adding sodium gluconate. However, when the level of addition of sodium gluconate is below 40 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of said mixture, the bitterness cannot be effectively masked. On the other hand, when the level of addition exceeds 400 parts by weight on the same basis, the necessary saltiness is not fully developed.

It is also possible to add magnesium chloride to the above ternary mixture of sodium gluconate, potassium chloride and sodium chloride. In this case, the preferred level of magnesium chloride is 1 about 100 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of said ternary mixture.

Furthermore, the functional sodium chloride composition of the invention may contain one or more other components than sodium gluconate, potassium chloride, sodium chloride and magnesium chloride in a suitable proportion.

In the present invention, the mode of blending the components is not critical but the per se known methods can be employed.

Claim 1 of 4 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sodium chloride replacement composition available upon blending of 40.about.400 parts by weight of sodium gluconate to 100 parts by weight of a mixture of 40.about.60 weight % of sodium chloride and 60.about.40 weight % of potassium chloride.

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