Reduced sodium food products

Abstract

Naturally-derived compounds having various structures elicit the perception of salty taste, enhance the perception of salty taste of a salt, or act at one or more sodium channels. Food products may include such naturally-derived compounds, which may be used to reduce the sodium content, while imparting a similar level of saltiness.

1 - 78 . (canceled) 
     
     
         79 . A food product comprising:
 at least one ingredient;   at least one salt that imparts a salty taste; and   at least one compound according to Formula R3:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         where 
         R 1  is H, or OH; 
         R 2  and R 3  are independently H, OH, or CH 2 OH; 
         X is O or CHOH; 
         Y is C═O or CH 2 ; and 
         R 4  is C 3 -C 12  unsaturated alkyl. 
       
     
     
         80 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein R 1  is OH. 
     
     
         81 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein R 2  is H. 
     
     
         82 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein X is CHOH. 
     
     
         83 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein Y is CH 2 . 
     
     
         84 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein R 3  is H. 
     
     
         85 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein R 4  is a C 3  to C 7  unsaturated alkyl. 
     
     
         86 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein R 4  is a C 5  unsaturated alkyl. 
     
     
         87 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein R 4  is a C 5  alkyl with one double bond. 
     
     
         88 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein the compound according to Formula R3 is 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         89 . The food product of  claim 79 , wherein the compound according to Formula R3 is 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         90 . A food product according to  claim 79 , wherein the at least one compound of Formula R3 is present in the food product in an amount sufficient to enhance a perception of saltiness of the food product. 
     
     
         91 . A food product according to  claim 79 , wherein the food product has a water content of at least about 30% by weight. 
     
     
         92 . A food product according to  claim 79 , wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of a soup, a seasoning, and a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal. 
     
     
         93 . A food product according to  claim 79 , wherein the at least one compound of Formula R3 is present in the food product at a concentration from about 0.01% by weight to about 2% by weight.