Carbohydrate and electrolyte contents in commercial fruit juices.

Forty kinds of commercial fruit juices sold in Thailand were analyzed for types and contents of carbohydrates, electrolytes as well as osmolarity and pH. Each juice was analyzed three times and the results were averaged. A few kinds of fruit juices have high sorbitol contents (> 10 g/L). There are some juices which have a high fructose to glucose ratio (> 1.5:1). Sodium contents in juices ranged from 19 to 1405 mg/L. The osmolarity of the juices ranged from 500 to 1200 mOsmol/L. Most juices have acid pH which ranged between 2.8 and 5.0. It is concluded that each fruit juice has a unique set of properties. Consumers should know the properties of each juice because chronic intake and large amount intake of the juice could have detrimental effects on the health of the consumer.

A rice starch added follow-on formula for infants with sleeping difficulty.

A total of 15 infants aged between 4-12 months with sleeping difficulty were enrolled in the study. All participants were given a test follow-on formula (cow's milk based), with added rice starch. The test formula was advised to be given at night-time for a 7-day period. Sleeping patterns were recorded 2 days prior to the study and during the 7-day study period. It was shown than 11 out of 15 cases (73.3%) had satisfactory results. Two cases (13.3%) were withdrawn from the study by their parents due to vomiting after taking the formula. We found that both cases developed concomitant respiratory tract infection one day after starting the study, and 2 cases (13.3%) were lost to follow-up. In conclusion, the majority of cases showed satisfactory results in terms of night sleeping pattern after switching to the rice starch added follow--on formula.