DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup to supplement energy needs 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, dyslipidaemia, acidity/GERD, ulcers, digestive disorders such as 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 % of children in the country may be classified as obese and 1.5 - 24 % may be classified as 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, reported that 30% of children living in urban areas were obese or overweight. Similarly, in a 2017 study published in the Indian Journal of Public Health, experts in Gujarat found that 33% of children studying in affluent schools of Rajkot were obese or overweight. Thus, providing children with a balanced and nutritious diet is essential to satisfy the strength and energy needs of children for an active lifestyle, and also supporting their overall health and development.

The contemporary dietary landscape has led to increased consumption of junk food, characterized by high levels of sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats, while lacking essential fiber. Consuming these foods on a regular basis changes our gut microbiome leading to digestive disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, sleep disturbances, etc. Excessive sodium intake poses risks to cardiovascular and kidney health. Furthermore, highly processed foods that are high in calories and low in vitamins, minerals, and fiber can affect blood sugar levels. Consuming these foods 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, raises concerns about long-term health effects, including potential carcinogenic risks.

Also, it is very challenging to provide a soup that is both nutritious and delectable enough to suit young palates, and also supplement their dietary needs to support overall health and development. Further, none of the commercially available soups contain any medicinal ingredients which may enhance bone health and improve vitality.

There is therefore need for a nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup that is designed to suit specific dietary preferences of children while supporting their health and development. There is also need for a soup preparation which shall supplement the energy needs of children, promote bone health, provide essential macronutrients and micronutrients, provide specific health benefits, boost the immune system, enhance 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 supplement energy needs 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 satisfy children's energy needs as well as promote their bone health.

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 young 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 increasing vitality, and 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 supplement energy needs 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 Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Laksha (Laccifer lacca), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis), Jeevanti (Leptadenia reticulata), Chironji seeds and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum). 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 proportion in the range of about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.).

According to a preferred embodiment, the herbal composition comprises about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Laksha (Laccifer lacca), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Jeevanti (Leptadenia reticulata), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Chironji seeds, and 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum).

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 whole black masoor, masoor dal broken and broken wheat in a proportion 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 carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin, long beans and green peas in a proportion 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, onion (thinly sliced), fresh ginger (chopped), fresh garlic (chopped), white sesame seeds, curry leaves, cinnamon, fennel seeds powder, rock salt, black pepper powder, cardamom, vegetable stock and water.
According to the present disclosure, the garnishing ingredient can be selected from almonds (blanched), black raisins (seeded), fresh coriander leaves, milk cream, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the soup composition comprises the tempering ingredient and the garnishing ingredient in a proportion 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 1 to 10 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 5 g unsaturated fat, about 1 to 5 g dietary fiber, less than 1 mg cholesterol, about 100 to 500 mg sodium, about 10 to 100 mcg vitamin K, about 10 to 30 mg calcium and about 10 to 20 mg magnesium.

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 supplementing strength and energy needs of 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 a nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup to supplement energy needs 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 children’s diet in a safe and effective manner, while also ensuring that the soup is appealing to the young palates. By combining nutritious and delicious ingredients with medicinal herbs, the soup offers an effective supplement that satisfies the strength and energy needs of children while also supporting and promoting their bone health.

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 supplementing strength and energy needs of children. The soup composition ensures a rich and balanced nutritional profile, specifically tailored to meet the energy needs of children and promote their bone health. The soup composition provides an enhanced nutrient profile in terms of proportion 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 whole black masoor, masoor dal broken and broken wheat in a proportion in the range of about 20 to 70 % (by wt.).

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 carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin, long beans and green peas in a proportion in the range of about 5 to 30 % (by wt.).

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, onion (thinly sliced), fresh ginger (chopped), fresh garlic (chopped), white sesame seeds, curry leaves, cinnamon, fennel seeds powder, rock salt, black pepper powder, cardamom, vegetable stock and/or water.

The garnishing ingredients can be selected from almonds (blanched), black raisins (seeded), fresh coriander leaves, milk cream, and combinations thereof.

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

The herbal composition is in the form of a decoction, juice, powder, and combination thereof. The herbal composition may comprise Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Laksha (Laccifer lacca), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis), Jeevanti (Leptadenia reticulata), Chironji seeds and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum). Preferably, the soup composition comprises the herbal composition in a proportion in the range of about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.).

The herbal composition comprises about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Laksha (Laccifer lacca), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Jeevanti (Leptadenia reticulata), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Chironji seeds, and 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum).

According to one embodiment, each 100 gm serving of the soup composition provides about 1 to 10 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 5 g unsaturated fat, about 1 to 5 g dietary fiber, less than 1 mg cholesterol, about 100 to 500 mg sodium, about 10 to 100 mcg vitamin K, about 10 to 30 mg calcium and about 10 to 20 mg magnesium.

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 supplementing strength and energy needs of children.

Advantages of the soup composition of the present disclosure, include, but are not limited to,
• Energy needs of children: The soup composition comprises a blend of wholesome ingredients which provides essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, protein and dietary fiber to effectively supplement the energy requirements of children and promote their bone health, and overcomes drawbacks of commercially available soups.
• Enhanced Nutrient Density: The soup composition addresses the drawbacks of commercially available foods to provide a nutritionally balanced soup that enhances dietary intake for children. The formulation integrates essential macronutrients and micronutrients, offering a delicious way for children to meet their nutritional needs while enjoying the meals.
• Medicinal Herbs: The soup composition incorporates medicinal herbs in the children’s diet in a safe and appealing manner to foster vitality and overall well-being in children. The soup is designed to be palatable for young taste buds, providing the benefits of herbal ingredients without the use of artificial additives, preservatives, or any unhealthy components.

WORKING EXAMPLES:
A soup composition according to the present disclosure was prepared. The soup composition was compared vis-à-vis a commercially marketed dehydrated dal palak spinach 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
Masoor whole 50 - 60 g
Masoor dal broken 50 - 60 g
Broken wheat 50 - 60 g
Herbal Composition Decoction 10 – 40 ml
Bay leaf 1 – 3 g
Carrots 40 - 50 g
Sweet potato 60 - 70 g
Pumpkin 50 - 60 g
Long beans 30 - 40 g
Green peas 50 - 60 g
Sesame oil 10 - 20 g
Small onion 40 - 50 g
Fresh garlic 15 - 20 g
Fresh ginger 10 - 20 g
White sesame seeds 5 - 10g
Curry leaves 2 - 4 g
Cinnamon 1 - 3 g
Fennel seeds powder 2 - 4 g
Rock salt 18 - 20 g
Freshly ground black pepper 2 - 4 g
Elaichi/Cardamom 1.5 - 3 g
Vegetable stock 1200 - 1400 ml
Almonds blanched 50 - 60 g
Black raisins 6 - 8 g
Coriander leaves 4 - 6 g
Cream 50 - 60 g

The ingredients of the commercially marketed dehydrated dal palak spinach soup powder were dal, spinach, malto dextran, amla, edible starch, dextrose, vegetable fat, ginger, onion, garlic, green chilly, tomato, salt, lemon, anti-caking (341), natural color (E150d), acidifying agent (330), flavor enhancer (631, 635), hydrolyzed vegetable protein (soya), thickening agent (415), (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 dal palak spinach 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 Dal Palak Spinach soup powder
Energy 52.60 Kcal 371.10
Protein 1.99 g 3.5 g
Total Carbohydrate 2.88 g 86.67g
Total Fat 3.68 g 1.4 g
Total Sugar Less than 2 g No data
Trans Fat Less than 0.1 g 0
Saturated Fat 1.90 g 0
Unsaturated Fat 1.78 g No data
Dietary Fiber 1.87 g 0.8 g
Cholesterol Less than 1 mg 0
Sodium 295.84 mg No data
Vitamin K 26.36 mcg --
Magnesium 13.61 mg --
Calcium 14.96 mg --

The commercially marketed dehydrated dal palak spinach soup powder contained artificial flavoring, color, added sweeteners, chemicals and preservatives. The commercially marketed dehydrated dal palak spinach 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 dal palak spinach soup powder, although marketed as an herbal soup, has “zero” nutritional value and only provides “empty calories”. In fact, the commercially marketed soup powder contained no nutritional value, and is saturated with harmful additives such as chemicals, artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, sweeteners, etc.

The cooking process used in the preparation of the soup composition extracts optimum proportion 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 overall wellbeing. 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 which help in supplementing the energy and strength needs of children and promoting their bone health, specifically tailored for 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 supplement energy needs 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 Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Laksha (Laccifer lacca), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis), Jeevanti (Leptadenia reticulata), Chironji seeds, and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum).

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 proportion 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 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Laksha (Laccifer lacca), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Jeevanti (Leptadenia reticulata), about 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Chironji seeds, and 0.1 to 30 % (by wt.) Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum).

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 whole black masoor, masoor dal broken and broken wheat in a proportion 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 carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin, long beans and green peas in a proportion 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, onion (thinly sliced), fresh ginger (chopped), fresh garlic (chopped), white sesame seeds, curry leaves, cinnamon, fennel seeds powder, rock salt, black pepper powder, cardamom, vegetable stock and water.

11. The nutritious holistic polyherbal ayurvedic soup as claimed in claim 1, wherein said garnishing ingredient can be selected from almonds (blanched), black raisins (seeded), fresh coriander leaves, milk cream, 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 proportion 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 1 to 10 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 5 g unsaturated fat, about 1 to 5 g dietary fiber, less than 1 mg cholesterol, about 100 to 500 mg sodium, about 10 to 100 mcg vitamin K, about 10 to 30 mg calcium and about 10 to 20 mg magnesium.