Why Choose Food Research Lab's FRL as Your Food Product Development (FPD) Consultant and Partner?

There are several options in almost every product area in today’s market, and the difficulty is in coming up with unique items that stand out and connect with customers. Food Research Lab's Food Research Lab (FRL) takes a holistic approach to creating food and beverage products. We define, demographically target, and build effective goods through a sequential process for category selection and comprehension. The client can visit the lab to learn the process. We offer unlimited rounds of revisions to ensure customer satisfaction. The final product prototype, along with the documentation process, including the video (through email), will be shipped to the client, and in case the client is not satisfied with the video, a food technology consultant will visit the place for the product demo at the client’s costs.

What are the different forms that you deliver the Food Product Formulations?

The food industry is witnessing a new form of consumption. Keeping that in mind, we can formulate the products in the form of ready-to-eat, ready-to-drink, ready-to-mix, ready-to-serve, and ready-to-cook food products. We use ingredients that offer an added value to the development and improve its indulgence and sustainability in terms of its functional ingredients, plant-based food dyes, and natural preservatives with a clean label.

What are the sectors Food Research Lab cover?

We cover a wide range of sectors such as soups, sauces and dips, chips, tortillas, dry beverage powder, plant-based products, masalas, puddings, instant mixes and many more.

How is sensory testing been carried out?

Our sensory examination leads to the precise formulation and recipe recommendations. We develop data-driven design models based on sensory research and customer insights. The fact-based design methodology used by Food Research Lab reduces risk and gives our clients market confidence while cutting development time in half. With our dedicated sensory lab facility, our team takes satisfaction in creating and optimizing successful products in the marketplace, generating a favourable return on investment, and developing brand advocates.

Physical activity often leads to sweating as a natural response to regulate body temperature by dissipating heat and bringing it back within normal limits. The extent of sweating is influenced by various factors, including individual characteristics like body weight, metabolism, heat acclimatization, genetic predisposition, as well as the intensity and duration of exercise, clothing worn, and environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and altitude. The type of exercise also plays a role, with different sweating levels observed between constant load exercises and intermittent activities, like those in team sports.

Science Behind Hydration

Interesting News, August 20, 2024.

The Science Behind Hydration: Why It Matters for Your Health

Sweating results in the loss of body fluids and essential electrolytes, primarily sodium, along with smaller amounts of potassium, calcium, and magnesium (Swaka, 2007). Dehydration caused by exercise, particularly when it reaches 2% of body mass, is generally recognized as detrimental to physical performance. (Casa et al 2005). Physiological consequences of dehydration include impaired thermoregulation, increased cardiovascular strain, and in severe cases, cognitive impairment. Additionally, exercise-induced fatigue can stem from depleted carbohydrate reserves in the body (EFSA 2015).

To combat these effects, consuming electrolyte drinks during and after intense exercise is beneficial for maintaining physical performance and rehydration. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed the health claims associated with carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions, noting their ability to reduce perceived effort, enhance water absorption, and sustain endurance during exercise. The EFSA concluded that drinks containing electrolytes (especially sodium) and carbohydrates are more effective than water alone in maintaining physical performance during prolonged exercise and in preserving fluid and electrolyte balance (EFSA, 2011)

Create your own Beverage with Guires Food Research Lab

In 2015, EFSA provided scientific guidance on nutrition for athletes, affirming that beverages with both electrolytes and carbohydrates support physical performance during endurance activities and help maintain fluid and electrolyte balance over extended periods. The American College of Sports Medicine also supports this view, stating that electrolyte and carbohydrate-containing drinks can sustain fluid and electrolyte balance and enhance exercise performance. They emphasize that carbohydrate intake is particularly beneficial for maintaining intensity during high-intensity exercises lasting around one hour or more, as well as during less intense but prolonged exercise sessions. The guidelines also recommend that for rapid recovery from significant dehydration, individuals should consume about 1.5 liters of fluid for every kilogram of body weight lost, with sodium-rich drinks and snacks aiding in the quick restoration of hydration.

A systematic review examining the impact of carbohydrate supplementation on exercise performance across 61 studies found that 82% of the studies reported significant performance improvements with carbohydrate supplementation, compared to a placebo. The remaining studies showed no improvement (Stellingwerff et al, 2014).

While these findings were based on carbohydrate concentrations ranging from 6% to 18%, few studies have explored the effects of lower carbohydrate concentrations (below 5%) on hydration and performance. As a result, current regulations stipulate that electrolyte drinks must contain at least 5% carbohydrates, with most commercial products containing between 6% and 7.4%. However, some research suggests that lower carbohydrate concentrations might enhance gastric emptying rates and water absorption, offering potential benefits for hydration and performance.

At FRL, we specialize in assisting with the formulation of various types of hydration drinks, including hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic beverages. Our expertise ensures that each formulation is tailored to meet specific hydration needs, whether it’s for pre-exercise, during exercise, or post-exercise recovery. We focus on optimizing the balance of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and osmolarity to enhance hydration, improve endurance, and support overall athletic performance. Whether you need a hypertonic drink for rapid recovery after intense workouts, an isotonic drink for maintaining fluid balance during exercise, or a hypotonic drink for quick hydration, FRL provides comprcomehensive support in creating effective, science-based formulations.