Baby-food compositions enhancing visual acuity and methods therefor

Abstract

Baby-food compositions that enhance visual acuity upon feeding to an infant are disclosed. The compositions contain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in an amount of at least about 0.5 mg per gram of the composition. The source of the DHA can be from DHA-enriched coagulated egg yolk solids present in an amount of from about 5% to about 25% (grams/100 grams). The compositions have an organoleptically acceptable smooth texture as a result of contain an acidulant or as a result of being processed by a microcutter. Also disclosed are methods for enhancing visual acuity in infants and methods of providing the compositions to a consumer.

1 . A method for improving visual acuity in a breast-fed infant, the method comprising feeding the infant a shelf-stable, semisolid baby-food composition comprising at least about 50 mg DHA/100 grams of composition.  
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein feeding comprises feeding an infant between ages of about 6 months and about 12 months.  
   
   
       3 . A method a according to  claim 2 , wherein feeding comprises feeding an infant receiving breast milk for about 3 months.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein visual acuity is improved after about 3 months of feeding.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein feeding further comprises feeding the infant the composition for about 3 months after weaning.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein visual acuity is improved after about 6 months of feeding.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein improved visual acuity comprises improved visual-evoked potential acuity measured as a reduction in minimum angle of resolution.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein visual acuity is improved in infants receiving breast milk in addition to the semisolid baby-food composition comprising DHA in comparison to infants receiving breast milk in addition to a semi-solid baby food composition not substantially containing DHA.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the infant is fed about 78 mg DHA/day.  
   
   
       10 . A method for improving visual acuity in a breast-fed infant, the method comprising: 
 (a) selecting a shelf-stable semisolid baby-food composition comprising at least about 50 mg DHA/100 grams of composition on the basis of the composition increasing visual acuity in breast-fed infants; and    (b) feeding the composition to the infant.    
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein feeding comprises feeding an infant between ages of about 6 months and about 12 months.  
   
   
       12 . A method a according to  claim 11 , wherein feeding comprises feeding an infant receiving breast milk for about 3 months.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein visual acuity is improved after about 3 months of feeding.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein feeding further comprises feeding the infant for about 3 months after weaning.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein visual acuity is improved after about 6 months of feeding.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein improved visual acuity comprises improved visual-evoked potential acuity measured as a reduction in minimum angle of resolution.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein visual acuity is improved in infants receiving breast milk in addition to the semisolid baby-food composition comprising DHA in comparison to infants receiving breast milk in addition to a semi-solid baby food composition not substantially containing DHA.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the infant is fed about 78 mg DHA/day.  
   
   
       19 . A method for improving visual acuity in a breast-fed infant, the method comprising feeding the infant a shelf-stable, semisolid baby-food composition comprising DHA in an amount that increases red blood cell DHA level in the infant.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the red blood cell DHA level is increased in an infant fed the composition for about 6 months.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the composition comprises at least about 50 mg DHA/100 grams of composition.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein feeding comprises feeding an infant between ages of about 6 months and about 12 months.  
   
   
       23 . A method a according to  claim 19 , wherein feeding comprises feeding an infant receiving breast milk for about 3 months.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein feeding further comprises feeding the infant for about 3 months after weaning.  
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein visual acuity is improved after about 6 months of feeding.  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein improved visual acuity comprises improved visual-evoked potential acuity measured as a reduction in minimum angle of resolution.  
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein visual acuity is improved in infants receiving breast milk in addition to the semisolid baby-food composition comprising DHA in comparison to infants receiving breast milk in addition to a semi-solid baby food composition not substantially containing DHA.  
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the infant is fed about 78 mg DHA/day.