DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup to aid growth & development in children.

BACKGROUND
Childhood nutrition is a critical area of concern for parents and healthcare professionals alike. School children are increasingly becoming overweight or obese leading to metabolic syndromes like - malnutrition, fatty liver, dyslipidemia, acidity/GERD, ulcers, digestive disorders- constipation, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and poor iron and vitamin levels. Many surveys conducted in different parts of India over the past decade suggest that 2.9-14.3 percent of children in the country could be obese and 1.5- 24 percent overweight. The problem has particularly assumed a public health concern in urban areas. A 2011 study by Jehangir Hospital in Pune and UCL Institute of Child Health, London, showed that 30 percent of children living in urban areas were obese or overweight. In a 2017 study published in the Indian Journal of Public Health, experts in Gujarat reported 33 percent of children studying in affluent schools of Rajkot were obese or overweight. Thus, providing children with a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for their Growth and Development and Immunity.

Junk food is usually high in sodium, sugar, saturated and trans fat, and almost no fiber. Consuming these foods on regular basis changes our gut micro biome leading to digestive disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, sleep issues, etc. High sodium intake can impact our heart and kidney health. Highly processed foods that are high in calories and low in vitamins, minerals, and fiber can affect blood sugar levels. Consuming these can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. Further, use of artificial preservatives, flavors and additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) and artificial colors, can cause severe long term adverse effects on health such as cancer.
Also, it is challenging to provide a soup that is delectable enough to suit every palate, and also fulfill one’s dietary needs. Further, none of the commercially available soups contain any medicinal ingredients which may promote immunity.

There is therefore need for a nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup that suits specific dietary preferences of children. There is also need for a soup preparation which can aid growth & development of children, provide essential macronutrients and micronutrients, provide specific health benefits, boost the immune system, help strengthen the body's defenses against illnesses and promote overall well-being. There is also need for a soup preparation which overcomes the listed drawbacks of commercially available foods, and provides an ayurvedic soup comprising nutritious and delicious ingredients with medicinal herbs, and eliminates the use of additives, preservatives, sugar, saturated fat and excessive sodium.

OBJECTS
Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup to aid growth & development in children which overcomes the listed drawbacks of commercially available soups, and provides an ayurvedic soup comprising nutritious and delicious ingredients with medicinal herbs which offers an effective way to support children's growth and development as well as their immunity needs.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup which addresses the challenge of incorporating medicinal herbs in the diet in a safe and effective manner, while also ensuring that the soup is appealing to the palates.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup which eliminates use of additives, preservatives, coloring agents, sugar, saturated fat and excessive sodium, thereby promoting overall health and well-being of children.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to a nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup to aid growth and development in children. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup composition comprises at least one grain, pulse or legume, at least one vegetable, at least one tempering ingredient, at least one garnishing ingredient, and an herbal composition.

According to the present disclosure, the herbal composition comprises Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Pippali (Piper longum), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Bel magaj (Aegle marmelos), Avartani (Helicterus isora), and Vidang (Embelia ribes). Preferably, the herbal composition is in a form selected from decoction, juice, powder, and combination thereof. Preferably, the soup composition comprises the herbal composition in a concentration in the range of about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.). According to a preferred embodiment, the herbal composition comprises about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), about 0.1 to 10 % (by wt.) Pippali (Piper longum), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Musta (Cyperus rotundus), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Bel magaj (Aegle marmelos), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Avartani (Helicterus isora), and about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Vidang (Embelia ribes).

According to the present disclosure, the grain, pulse or legume can be selected from barley, rice, moong beans, toor dal, whole green moong dal, barley flakes, horse gram, black urad dal, chana dal, whole black masoor, masoor dal, ragi, black gram, red lentil, broken wheat, red rice, moth beans, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the soup composition comprises rice and whole green moong dal in a concentration in the range of about 20 to 70 % (by wt.).

According to the present disclosure, the vegetable can be selected from carrot, spinach, ash gourd, long beans, green peas, pumpkin, pointed gourd, onion, drumstick, sweet potato, lotus rhizome, radish, bottle gourd, white onion, beetroot, ridge gourd, ginger, garlic, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the soup composition comprises spinach, ash gourd, carrot, long beans and green peas in a concentration in the range of about 5 to 30 % (by wt.).

According to the present disclosure, the tempering ingredient can be selected from mustard oil, sesame oil, ghee, coconut oil, mustard seeds, roasted flax seeds, white sesame seeds, caraway seeds, kalonji (nigella) seeds, fenugreek seeds, poppy seeds, asafoetida, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, bay leaves, mace, nutmeg, cumin seeds, cumin powder, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom, curry leaves, onion, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, dry ginger powder, black pepper powder, roasted flax seeds powder, cardamom powder, fennel seeds powder, sea salt, black salt, rock salt, turmeric, coriander leaves, drumstick leaves, mint leaves, lemon grass, lemon juice, vegetable stock, water, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the soup composition comprises tempering ingredients including sesame oil, cumin powder, fennel seeds, cinnamon, mustard seeds, fresh ginger (chopped), fresh garlic (chopped), coriander seeds, cardamom powder, rock salt, black pepper powder, roasted flax seeds (powdered), vegetable stock and water.

According to the present disclosure, the garnishing ingredient can be selected from coconut milk, fresh coriander leaves, jaggery, palm jaggery, kokum, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the soup composition comprises the tempering ingredient and the garnishing ingredient in a concentration in the range of about 1 to 10 % (by wt.).

According to a preferred embodiment, each 100 gm serving of the soup composition provides about 10 to 50 kcal energy, about 1 to 15 g protein, about 1 to 10 g carbohydrate, about 1 to 5 g fat, less than 2 g sugar, less than 0.1 g trans fat, about 0.5 to 5 g saturated fat, about 1 to 10 g unsaturated fat, about 1 to 5g dietary fiber, less than 1 mg cholesterol, about 100 to 500 mg sodium, about 10 to 100 mg vitamin C, about 0.1 to 10 mg zinc, about 10 to 30 mg calcium and about 0.1 to 10 mg selenium.

According to a preferred embodiment, the soup composition is particularly suited for children between the age group of 8 to 14 years. The soup composition is an easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense composition which aids in health rejuvenation, increased appetite, improved gut health, balanced doshas and improved nutrient absorption, thereby supporting growth and development in children.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure will now be described with the help of limited embodiments and/or examples, such embodiments and/or examples must not, in any manner, be construed to limit the ambit and scope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to an innovative nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup designed to aid growth & development in children. The ayurvedic soup with a kid friendly formulation offers a unique and innovative way to promote children health and wellness. It addresses the challenge of incorporating medicinal herbs in the diet in a safe and effective manner, while also ensuring that the soup is appealing to the palates. By combining nutritious and delicious ingredients with medicinal herbs, the soup offers an effective way to support children's growth and development as well as immunity needs.

The soup composition of the present disclosure synergistically combines grain and vegetable soup base and a polyherbal composition to provide advanced nutritional benefits and better nutrient absorption for children compared to conventional commercial soups and basic homemade soups. The soup composition is an easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense composition which aids children in health rejuvenation, increased appetite, improved gut health, balanced doshas and improved nutrient absorption, thereby supporting growth and development in children. The soup composition ensures a rich and balanced nutritional profile, specifically tailored to support the developmental needs of children. The soup composition provides an enhanced nutrient profile in terms of concentration of essential vitamins, minerals, protein and dietary fiber, which demonstrates a marked improvement over the nutrient profiles of commercial soups and basic homemade soups. Also, the soup composition of the present disclosure has an optimized fat profile and low sugar, salt and cholesterol content as compared to the commercially available soups.

The soup composition may comprise: (i) grains, pulses and/or legumes; (ii) vegetables; (iii) tempering ingredients; (iv) garnishing ingredients; and (v) an herbal composition.

The grains, pulses and/or legumes can be selected from barley, rice, moong beans, toor dal, whole green moong dal, barley flakes, horse gram, black urad dal, chana dal, whole black masoor, masoor dal, ragi, black gram, red lentil, broken wheat, red rice, moth beans, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the soup composition comprises rice and whole green moong dal in a concentration in the range of about 20 to 70 %.

The vegetables can be selected from carrot, spinach, ash gourd, long beans, green peas, pumpkin, pointed gourd, onion, drumstick, sweet potato, lotus rhizome, radish, bottle gourd, white onion, beetroot, ridge gourd, ginger, garlic, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the soup composition comprises spinach, ash gourd, carrot, long beans and green peas in a concentration in the range of about 5 to 30 %.

The tempering ingredients can be selected from mustard oil, sesame oil, ghee, coconut oil, mustard seeds, roasted flax seeds, white sesame seeds, caraway seeds, kalonji (nigella) seeds, fenugreek seeds, poppy seeds, asafoetida, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, bay leaves, mace, nutmeg, cumin seeds, cumin powder, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom, curry leaves, onion, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, dry ginger powder, black pepper powder, roasted flax seeds powder, cardamom powder, fennel seeds powder, sea salt, black salt, rock salt, turmeric, coriander leaves, drumstick leaves, mint leaves, lemon grass, lemon juice, vegetable stock, water, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the tempering ingredients in the soup composition comprises sesame oil, cumin powder, fennel seeds, cinnamon, mustard seeds, fresh ginger (chopped), fresh garlic (chopped), coriander seeds, cardamom powder, rock salt, black pepper powder, roasted flax seeds (powdered), vegetable stock and water.

The garnishing ingredients can be selected from coconut milk, fresh coriander leaves, jaggery, palm jaggery, kokum, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the soup composition comprises the tempering ingredient and the garnishing ingredient in a concentration in the range of about 1 to 10 %.

The herbal composition is in the form of a decoction, juice, powder, and combination thereof. The herbal composition may comprise Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Pippali (Piper longum), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Bel magaj (Aegle marmelos), Avartani (Helicterus isora), and Vidang (Embelia ribes). Preferably, the soup composition comprises the herbal composition in a concentration in the range of about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.). The herbal composition comprises about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), about 0.1 to 10 % (by wt.) Pippali (Piper longum), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Musta (Cyperus rotundus), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Bel magaj (Aegle marmelos), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Avartani (Helicterus isora), and about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Vidang (Embelia ribes).

According to one embodiment, each 100 gm serving of the soup composition provides about 10 to 50 kcal energy, about 1 to 15 g protein, about 1 to 10 g carbohydrate, about 1 to 5 g fat, less than 2 g sugar, less than 0.1 g trans fat, about 0.5 to 5 g saturated fat, about 1 to 10 g unsaturated fat, about 1 to 5g dietary fiber, less than 1 mg cholesterol, about 100 to 500 mg sodium, about 10 to 100 mg vitamin C, about 0.1 to 10 mg zinc, about 10 to 30 mg calcium and about 0.1 to 10 mg selenium.

The soup composition is particularly suited for children between the age group of 8 to 14 years. The soup composition is an easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense composition which aids in health rejuvenation, increased appetite, improved gut health, balanced doshas and improved nutrient absorption, thereby supporting growth and development in children.

Advantages of the soup composition of the present disclosure, include, but are not limited to,
• Enhanced Nutrient Density: The soup composition comprises essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, protein and dietary fiber which are essential for proper immune function, bone development and overall health. Effective growth and development in children is strongly influenced by adequate nutrition.
• Optimized Fat Profile: The soup composition supports a healthy fat intake while minimizing adverse effects associated with unhealthy fats due to its low total fat content, and minimal amount of trans fat and saturated fat.
• Low Sugar, Salt and Cholesterol: The soup composition addresses concerns related to high sugar, salt and cholesterol content in commercially available soups.
WORKING EXAMPLES:
A soup composition according to the present disclosure was prepared. The soup composition was compared vis-à-vis a commercially marketed dehydrated mixed vegetable soup powder (sold under brand name “ORUSPOON®”) in Example 1.

Example 1:
1000 ml of the soup composition of the present disclosure was prepared. The ingredients per 1000 ml are listed in Table 1 below.
Table 1
Ingredient Quantity
Rice (1 yr old or more) 50 - 60 g
Whole green moong dal 100 - 110 g
Herbal Composition Decoction 10 – 40 ml
Bay leaves 2 leaves or 0.50 g
Turmeric 1 - 2 g
Spinach 70 - 80 g
Ash Gourd 20 - 30 g
Carrots 30 - 40 g
Long Beans 50 - 60 g
Green Peas 50 - 60 g
Sesame Oil 10 – 15 ml
Cumin Powder 2 – 4 g
Fennel Seed 2 – 4 g
Cinnamon (whole) 0.5 – 2 g
Mustard seeds 2 – 4 g
Fresh Ginger (chopped) 15 – 20 g
Fresh Garlic (chopped) 15 – 20 g
Coriander seeds 2.5 - 5 g
Cardamom powder 0.5 - 3 g
Rock salt 10 - 15 g
Black pepper powder 1.5 - 3 g
Flax seeds (roasted and powdered) 2 - 4 g
Vegetable stock 1000 - 1200 ml
Coconut milk 50 – 60 g
Fresh coriander leaves 2 – 4 g
Jaggery 3 – 6 g
Kokum 10 – 15 g

The ingredients of the commercially marketed dehydrated mixed vegetable soup powder were vegetables, dextrose, malto dextran, sugar, salt, edible starch, carrot, capsicum, cheese, vegetable fat, green chilly, red chilly, onion, garlic, black pepper, red beet juice, yeast extract, coriander leaves, natural color (160B), acidifying agent (330), anti-caking (341), thickening agent (415), flavor enhancer (621, 631, 635), hydrolyzed vegetable protein (soya) (all ingredients in dried and powder form).

The nutrient profile of the soup composition of the present disclosure and that of the commercially marketed dehydrated mixed vegetable soup powder are compared vis-à-vis in Table 2.
Table 2
Nutritional Value (per 100 g serving) Soup Composition of present disclosure Commercially Marketed Dehydrated Mixed Vegetable Soup Powder
Energy 46.22 Kcal 375
Protein 2.52 g 3 g
Total Carbohydrate 2.33 g 87.2 g
Total Fat 2.98 g 1.5 g
Total Sugar Less than 2 g No data
Trans Fat Less than 0.1 g 0
Saturated Fat 1.98 g 0
Unsaturated Fat 1 g No data
Dietary Fiber 1.82 g 0.5 g
Cholesterol Less than 1 mg 0
Sodium 312.04 mg No data
Vitamin C 27.04 mg --
Zinc 0.31 mg --
Calcium 20.52 mg --
Selenium 0.43 mg --

The commercially marketed dehydrated mixed vegetable soup powder contained artificial flavoring, color, added sweeteners, yeast extract, chemicals and preservatives. The commercially marketed dehydrated mixed vegetable soup powder was found to be very high in calorie and total carbohydrate content and very low in dietary fiber content, as compared to the soup composition of the present disclosure. The commercially marketed dehydrated mixed vegetable soup powder provides “empty calories”, i.e. it is high in calories and low in nutritional value. In fact, the commercially marketed soup powder contained no nutritional value, and harmful additives such as yeast extract, chemicals, artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, sweeteners, etc. Yeast extract is made by combining sugar and yeast, and yeast is relatively high in sodium with about 400 mg in 8 g.

The cooking process used in the preparation of the soup composition extracts optimum concentration of beneficial nutrients from the ingredients enhancing the overall nutritional efficacy of the soup. The nutritional value of a child’s diet plays a critical role in their growth and development. It can, therefore, be concluded that the nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup of the present disclosure is a superior alternative to traditional commercially marketed soups and basic homemade soups, providing enhanced nutritional benefits tailored for optimal growth and development in children between the age group of 8 to 14 years.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable over a wide number of uses and other embodiments may be developed beyond the embodiment discussed heretofore. Only the most preferred embodiments and their uses have been described herein for purpose of example, illustrating the advantages over the prior art obtained through the present disclosure. The disclosure is not limited to these specific embodiments or their specified uses. Thus, the forms of the disclosure described herein are to be taken as illustrative only and other embodiments may be selected without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that additional changes and modifications, within the scope of the disclosure, will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and that modifications to the method described herein may fall within the scope of the disclosure.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup to aid growth and development in children, said nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup composition comprising –
at least one grain, pulse or legume;
at least one vegetable;
at least one tempering ingredient;
at least one garnishing ingredient; and
an herbal composition;
wherein, said herbal composition comprises Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Pippali (Piper longum), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Bel magaj (Aegle marmelos), Avartani (Helicterus isora), and Vidang (Embelia ribes).

2. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said herbal composition is in a form selected from decoction, juice, powder, and combination thereof.

3. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said soup composition comprises said herbal composition in a concentration in the range of about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.).

4. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said herbal composition comprises about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), about 0.1 to 10 % (by wt.) Pippali (Piper longum), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Musta (Cyperus rotundus), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Bel magaj (Aegle marmelos), about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Avartani (Helicterus isora), and about 1 to 10 % (by wt.) Vidang (Embelia ribes).

5. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said grain, pulse or legume can be selected from barley, rice, moong beans, toor dal, whole green moong dal, barley flakes, horse gram, black urad dal, chana dal, whole black masoor, masoor dal, ragi, black gram, red lentil, broken wheat, red rice, moth beans, and combinations thereof.

6. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 5, wherein said soup composition comprises rice and whole green moong dal in a concentration in the range of about 20 to 70 % (by wt.).

7. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vegetable can be selected from carrot, spinach, ash gourd, long beans, green peas, pumpkin, pointed gourd, onion, drumstick, sweet potato, lotus rhizome, radish, bottle gourd, white onion, beetroot, ridge gourd, ginger, garlic, and combinations thereof.

8. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 7, wherein said soup composition comprises spinach, ash gourd, carrot, long beans and green peas in a concentration in the range of about 5 to 30 % (by wt.).

9. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tempering ingredient can be selected from mustard oil, sesame oil, ghee, coconut oil, mustard seeds, roasted flax seeds, white sesame seeds, caraway seeds, kalonji (nigella) seeds, fenugreek seeds, poppy seeds, asafoetida, clove, cinnamon, black pepper, bay leaves, mace, nutmeg, cumin seeds, cumin powder, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cardamom, curry leaves, onion, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, dry ginger powder, black pepper powder, roasted flax seeds powder, cardamom powder, fennel seeds powder, sea salt, black salt, rock salt, turmeric, coriander leaves, drumstick leaves, mint leaves, lemon grass, lemon juice, vegetable stock, water, and combinations thereof.
10. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 9, wherein said soup composition comprises sesame oil, cumin powder, fennel seeds, cinnamon, mustard seeds, fresh ginger (chopped), fresh garlic (chopped), coriander seeds, cardamom powder, rock salt, black pepper powder, roasted flax seeds (powdered), vegetable stock and water.

11. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said garnishing ingredient can be selected from coconut milk, fresh coriander leaves, jaggery, palm jaggery, kokum, and combinations thereof.

12. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said soup composition comprises said tempering ingredient and said garnishing ingredient in a concentration in the range of about 1 to 10 % (by wt.).

13. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein 100 gm serving of said soup composition provides about 10 to 50 kcal energy, about 1 to 15 g protein, about 1 to 10 g carbohydrate, about 1 to 5 g fat, less than 2 g sugar, less than 0.1 g trans fat, about 0.5 to 5 g saturated fat, about 1 to 10 g unsaturated fat, about 1 to 5g dietary fiber, less than 1 mg cholesterol, about 100 to 500 mg sodium, about 10 to 100 mg vitamin C, about 0.1 to 10 mg zinc, about 10 to 30 mg calcium and about 0.1 to 10 mg selenium.