FIELD

Beverage compositions, beverage components, and sweetener components as well as methods of making the same are provided herein. The beverage compositions may include calcium supplied from a calcium carbonate (CaCO3) source, for example, aragonite, and a liquid component, for example, water, a milk, or a juice.

BACKGROUND

The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the systems and methods described herein. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and is an essential element for numerous functions in the human body. For example, calcium is required for vascular contraction and vasodilation, muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling and hormonal secretion, as well as providing rigidity to the skeletal framework. Calcium is continuously utilized by the body and can be replenished by a variety of food sources as well as dietary supplements.

In light of these vital usages of calcium by the body, it is recognized that a dietary calcium deficiency can have adverse effects on an individual's health, which vary in degree depending upon age and sex. For example, calcium deficiency can prevent normal bone development in childhood and early adulthood and can contribute to the softening of bones and teeth as well as the acceleration of bone loss with advancing age and can interfere with muscular contractions.

While dairy products are recognized as a rich source of dietary calcium, consumption of dairy products can have drawbacks, for example, individuals can have a lactose intolerance and/or a dairy allergy, and there can be high levels of cholesterol and calories in some dairy products. Furthermore, attempts to fortify beverage compositions with various calcium sources can also be problematic. For example, some of the organic and inorganic salts used for calcium fortification can result in flavor and taste defects, such as chalkiness, grittiness, or tangy tastes and/or even a bitter after-taste based on the use of one or a combination of calcium sources. Thus, alternative beverage compositions fortified with calcium are needed.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

The present disclosure relates to beverage compositions, beverage components, and methods of making beverage compositions. In various aspects, the present disclosure provides a beverage composition. The beverage composition includes calcium supplied from a calcium carbonate source including aragonite and a liquid component, such as water, a juice, a milk, or a combination thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides a calcium component. The calcium component includes aragonite particles encapsulated with at least one additive.

In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides a method for preparing a beverage composition. The method includes admixing aragonite particles with a liquid component, such as water, a juice, a milk, and a combination thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides another method for preparing a beverage composition. The method includes admixing a calcium component as described herein with a liquid component, such as water, a juice, a milk, and a combination thereof.

In various aspects, the present disclosure also provides a sweetener component. The sweetener component includes aragonite particles and at least one sweetener.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

