# Patent

## Title
Low-concentration nutritional composition

## Abstract

The present invention provides an enteral nutritional composition with which the labor of administering water between meals can be saved. The enteral nutritional composition comprises proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, with the calories per ml of the composition being less than 1 kcal and the moisture content being 30 percent by mass or more.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a national stage of international application No. RCT/JP2009/068417, filed on Oct. 27, 2009 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-009102, filed on Jan. 19, 2009 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-014512, filed on Jan. 26, 2009, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a low-concentration nutritional composition.
BACKGROUND ART
Nutrients necessary for human to live are introduced into the body, usually, by food intake from the mouth. For those patients who have difficulty in swallowing foods, those patients with a chronic bowel disease and those patients who have difficulty in taking foods from the mouth because of high age or the like, various commercial fluid diets are used (Non-Patent Document No. 1). These fluid diets are thick (highly concentrated) and prepared at 1 kcal/ml or more. Therefore, administration of such fluid diets alone can not supply the amount of water necessary per day, and it is necessary to administer some water between meals. Administration of water between meals imposes considerable labor on caregivers or nurses.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem for Solution by the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an enteral nutritional composition with which the labor of administering water between meals can be saved.
Means to Solve the Problem
The present inventor has solved the above problem by decreasing the concentrations of nutrients and increasing the moisture content in a nutritional composition. The present invention may be summarized as follows.

    (1) An enteral nutritional composition comprising proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, wherein the calories per ml of the composition are less than 1 kcal and yet the moisture content is 30 percent by mass or more.
    (2) The composition of (1), wherein the calories per ml of the composition are 0.5-0.9 kcal.
    (3) The composition of (1) or (2), wherein the moisture content is 30-95 percent by mass.
    (4) The composition of any one of (1) to (3), wherein the composition further comprises dietary fibers.
    (5) The composition of any one of (1) to (4), wherein the composition further comprises vitamins and/or minerals.
    (6) The composition of any one of (1) to (5), wherein the composition is a fluid diet.
    (7) The composition of any one of (1) to (6), wherein the composition is in a semi-solid or solid state.
    (8) The composition of any one of (1) to (6), wherein the composition is in a liquid state.


Effect of the Invention
By using the nutritional composition of the present invention, it is possible to reduce or even eliminate the labor of administering water between meals to those patients who have difficulty in swallowing foods, those patients who have a chronic bowel disease and those patients who have difficulty in taking food from the mouth because of high age or the like.
The present specification encompasses the contents described in the specifications and/or drawings of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2009-9102 and 2009-14512 based on which the present patent application claims priority.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows the results of survey by questionnaire on operability test.
FIG. 2 shows comparison between various products, as administered to give 1,200 kcal, in terms of the moisture content and the moisture supplemented (for the case where a total moisture of 1,500 ml was administered).



BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinbelow, the present invention will be described in detail.
The present invention provides an enteral nutritional composition comprising proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, wherein the calories per ml of the composition are less than 1 kcal and yet the moisture content is 30 percent by mass or more.
Specific examples of protein components include, but are not limited to, soy protein, collagen degradation products, gelatin, glutamine, arginine, glutamic acid, leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, methionine, alanine, lysine, aspartic acid, proline, cysteine, histidine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, asparagine, glycine and serine. The protein content per 100 kcal of the composition is appropriately 1.0-20.0 g, Preferably 1.5-10.0 g, and more preferably 2.0-4.0 g. The amount of protein energy per 100 kcal of the composition is preferably 4.0-80.0 kcal, and more preferably 8.0-16.0 kcal.
Specific examples of protein components include, but are not limited to, detrin, granulated sugar, glucose, maltodextrin, reduced starch degradation products, isomerized sugar syrup, oligosaccharide and lactose. The content per 100 kcal of the composition is appropriately 3.0-30.0 g, preferably 8.0-20.0 g, and more preferably 13.0-17.0 g. The amount of carbohydrate energy per 100 kcal of the composition is appropriately 12.0-120.0 kcal, preferably 32.0-80.0 kcal, and more preferably 52.0-68.0 kcal.
Specific examples of lipids include, but are not limited to, vegetable oils, canola oil, perilla oil, olive oil soybean oil, rapeseed oil and fish oils. The lipid content per 100 kcal of the composition is appropriately 0.2-5.0 g, preferably 1.0-4.0 g, and more preferably 1.5-2.5 g. The amount of lipid energy per 100 kcal of the composition is appropriately 1.8-45.0 kcal, preferably 9.0-36.0 kcal, and more preferably 13.5-22.5 kcal.
The composition of the present invention may further comprise dietary fibers. Specific examples of dietary fibers include, but are not limited to, guar gum degradation products, indigestible dextrin, lactulose and pectin. The dietary fiber content per 100 kcal of the composition is appropriately 0.1-5.0 g, preferably 0.5-3.5 g, and more preferably 0.8-1.5 g.
The composition of the present invention may further comprise vitamins and/or minerals.
Specific examples of vitamins include, but are not limited to, vitamins A, D, B1, B2 and B6, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamins B12, C, K and E, biotin and choline bitartrate. The vitamin content per 100 kcal of the composition is appropriately from 0.5 μg to 10.0 g, preferably from 10 μg to 2.0 g, and more preferably from 100.0 μg to 1.0 g.
Specific examples of minerals include, but are not limited to, Na, Cl, K, S, Mg, Ca, P, Fe, I, Mn, Cu, Zn, Sc, Cr, Mo, and dolomite. The mineral content per 100 kcal of the composition is appropriately 200-5000 mg, preferably 500-3000 mg, and more preferably 800-1500 mg.
The composition of the present invention may further comprise cholesterol, lactose, COQ10, flavors, α lipoic acid, EPA, DHA and so on.
The calories per ml of the composition of the present invention are less than 1 kcal. The calories are appropriately 0.5-0.9 kcal, preferably 0.5-0.9 kcal, and more preferably 0.6-0.8 kcal.
The moisture content of the composition of the present invention is 30 percent by mass or more. The moisture content is appropriately 30-95 percent by mass, preferably 30-95 percent by mass, and more preferably 40-90 percent by mass.
The composition of the present invention may be in a liquid, semi-solid (such as gel or paste) or solid state. When the composition is in the state of gel, the firmness of the composition as measured at 25° C. is appropriately 50-10,000 N/m2, preferably 100-5,000 N/m2, and more preferably 500-2,000 N/m2.
For preparing a gel-type composition, a gelatinizing agent such as polysaccharide thickener, agar, gelatin or dextrin may be added to the composition. The amount of the gelatinizing agent to be added to the composition of the present invention may be appropriately determined depending on the desired gel strength.
The composition of the present invention may be prepared by methods well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the composition of the present invention may be prepared as a food product (such as fluid diet) by mixing the above-described components. For preparing a gel-type fluid diet, a gelatinizing agent is dissolved in water and individual components of the composition are mixed therein. Subsequently, the resultant mixture may be packed in a container and cooled. If necessary, the gelatinizing agent may be dissolved in water under heating; the container may be sealed tightly; or the resultant composition may be sterilized by heating.
The composition of the present invention may be used as a fluid diet. Commercial fluid diets are classified into the following three types depending on the foods used therein: natural diet type (in which ordinary foods are used), semi-digested type (in which somewhat degraded foods are used), and digested type (in which foods that can be absorbed without degradation are used). The composition of the present invention is applicable to any of these types of fluid diets. The composition of the present invention is especially effective as a fluid diet for those patients who have difficulty in swallowing foods, those patients who have a chronic bowel disease and those patients who have difficulty in taking food from the mouth because of high age or the like, and is applicable to enteral nutrition.
The composition of the present invention is capable of enteral administration. The dose may be determined in the same manner as the dose of ordinary enteral nutritional composition is determined. For example, when the composition of the present invention is prepared to give 0.5-0.9 kcal per ml, the composition may be administered at a daily dose of about 2400-1400 ml. The dose may be appropriately determined considering the pathology, nutritional status, age, body weight, etc. of the patient.
EXAMPLES
Hereinbelow, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the following Examples. These Examples are provided only for illustrating the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.
Example 1
Nutritional compositions (Calm Solid 300 and 400) were prepared by the preparation method described below using the raw materials and mixing ratios shown in Table 1 below.
Preparation Method
Nutritional compositions were prepared following the steps described below. Dissolving pH adjuster→dissolving gelatinizing agent→dissolving proteins dissolving yeast, vitamins and minerals→emulsifying lipids→adding flavors→homogenizing→packing→sterilizing









TABLE I





Raw Material
Calm Solid 300
Calm Solid 400

















Dextrin
10.03202531
12.65029758


Granulated sugar
2.623760466
3.277029469


Vegetable oils
1.543388509
1.927664394


Casein sodium
1.929235637
2.409580492


Soy protein
0.964617818
1.204790246


Guar gum degradation
0.596133812
0.74486157


product




Vitamins/Glucose
0.108037196
0.134936508


Sodium ferrous citrate
0.003472624
0.004337245


Sodium phosphate
0.289385346
0.361437074


Calcium phosphate
0.054018598
0.067468254


KCL
0.231508276
0.289149659


Dry yeast
0.038063819
0.047550059


Dolomite
0.196782035
0.246982


Sodium citrate
0.210286684
0.262644274


Table salt
0.054018598
0.067468254


Gelatinizing agent
1.556893159
1.455989012


Emulsifier
0.140834201
0.175899376


Processed starch
0.154338851
0.14457483


Flavors
0.135046495
0.130117347


Water
79.13724582
74.39579769



100
100





Mixing ratio (%)






By using the nutritional composition of the present invention, it is possible to reduce or even eliminate the labor of administering water between meals to those patients who have difficulty in swallowing foods, those patients who have a chronic bowel disease and those patients who have difficulty in taking foods from the mouth because of high age or the like.
In those patients who have undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), gastroesophageal reflux and diarrhea easily occur. Therefore, it is common practice that water is supplied to them other being gelatinized or mixed with a thickening agent for viscosity adjustment. Alternatively, a commercial jelly for water supply is used. For both methods of water supply, costs are calculated roughly as follows.
[Use of Gelatinizing Agent or Thickening Agent]


    
    
        When a thickening agent of about ¥5 per gram is used at a daily average of 15 g, economical burden is ¥75/day.
        Inclusive of the labor cost for mixing the agent and hygienic control at the time of mixing, the cost is still higher.

[500 ml of Water Supply Using a Commercial Water Supply Jelly]

        Economical burden is Isotonic Jelly 100 ml (Nutri Co., Ltd.)×5 units (approx. ¥110/unit)=approx. ¥550.
    
    


By using the nutritional composition of the present invention, these costs required for water supply can be reduced.
The method of water supply for patients on PEG is classified roughly into the following four groups: (1) tap water is supplied with a syringe without any processing; (2) tap water is supplied with a syringe after adding thereto a texture improving agent or the like to increase viscosity; (3) a commercial water supply jelly (such as Isotonic Jelly) is used; and (4) transfusion is used. The results of comparison between these four types of methods and the method of using the nutritional composition of the present invention (Calm Solid) are summarized in Table 2.












TABLE 2






Preventive 







effect

Labor





against
Preventive
required
Clean




gastro-
effect
for
operation




esophageal
against
adminis-
is




reflux
diarrhea
tration
possible
Cost







(1) Tap water is
Δ
Δ
∘
Δ
⊚


supplied







without any







processing







(2) Tap water is
∘
∘
x
Δ
Δ


supplied after







adding thereto a







thickening







agent to







increase







viscosity







(3) Commercial
∘
∘
⊚
∘
Δ


water supply







jelly is supplied







(4) Transfusion
⊚
⊚
Δ
Δ
Δ


is used







Calm Solid
∘
∘
⊚
⊚
∘





⊚: very suitable


∘: suitable


Δ: yes and no


x: not suitable






Test Example 1
1. Purpose of Test
It is a purpose of this test to allow nurses to evaluate the operability of semi-solid fluid diet “Calm Solid” after pouring it into a simple PEG device.
2. Test Method
Consent was obtained from a total of 54 nurses, 34 of them working at a hospital in Hyogo Pref. (hereinafter referred to as “Hospital 1”) and 20 working at a hospital in Nara Pref. (hereinafter referred to as “Hospital 2”). Their job experience is shown in Table 3 in terms of the number of years of service. A simple PEG device was created. The nurses were allowed to pour the semi-solid fluid diet “Calm Solid 300 kcal” (prepared in Example 1) into the device and to pursue operations up to flushing. Subsequently, survey by questionnaire was performed with respect to the items shown in Table 4.
The simple PEG device used in the test was a plastic container into which a balloon-type gastric fistula catheter was inserted through a hole provided therein.
During the test, the time required for operations and the weight of Calm Solid before and after administration were measured.










TABLE 3





Job Experience
Hospital 1
Hospital 2
Total







Less than 1 year
8 nurses
3 nurses
11 nurses


1 year to less than 5 years
16
3
19


5 years to less than 10 years
 3
7
10


10 years or more
 7
7
14
















TABLE 4







Contents of Questionnaire





1. Less concern and labor for water supply.


2. No need to solidify the nutritional composition. So, less time 


required for operation.


3. Two concentrations of 0.75 ml/kcal and 1.0 ml/kcal are available 


for the same nutritional composition, making it possible to select 


finer combinations.


4. Less attention is required for clean operation.


5. Low possibility for mixing of foreign substances.


6. Easy to operate/handle for any one.


7. Less residue in the tube after flushing.





Evaluation (5-Point Scale)











5 points
Calm Solid is very good.


4 points
Calm Solid is good.


3 points
No difference.


2 points
Calm Solid is difficult to use.


1 point
Calm Solid is very difficult to use.









3. Results of Survey by Questionnaire on Operability Test

The results are shown in FIG. 1.
The results revealed that Calm Solid was highly evaluated for any of the items 1 to 7.
The time required for operation is shown in Table 5,










TABLE 5








Time required for operation









Hospital 1
4 min 45 sec



Hospital 2
3 min 56 sec



Total
4 min 21 sec










By administering 1 unit of Calm Solid, it is possible to supply about 1⁄3 of the moisture and nutrients required per day in a short time of around 3 to 5 minutes.
FIG. 2 shows comparison with products of other manufacturers, as administered to give 1,200 kcal, in terms of the moisture content and the moisture supplemented (for the case where a total moisture of 1,500 ml was administered).
Compared to the products of other manufacturers, Calm Solid contains more moisture and thus requires less moisture to be supplemented is less. As a result, as shown in the results of the questionnaire survey, less labor is required for operation.
All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Industrial Applicability
The nutritional composition of the present invention is applicable to a fluid diet for those patients who have difficulty in swallowing foods, those patients with a chronic bowel disease and those patients who have difficulty in taking foods from the because of high age or the like.
Prior Art Reference
[Non-Patent Document No. 1]


    A Yearbook of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 2006, List of Formulations and Instruments, Vol. 5, pp. 37-68, published by JEFF Corporation.

## Claims

1. An enteral nutritional composition comprising:
dextrin; granulated sugar; vegetable oils; casein sodium; soy protein; guar gum degradation product; vitamins/glucose; sodium ferrous citrate; sodium phosphate; calcium phosphate; KCl: dry yeast; dolomite; sodium citrate; table salt; gelatinizing agent; emulsifier; processed starch; flavors; and water,
wherein the calories per ml of the composition are less than 1 kcal and yet the moisture content is 30 percent by mass or more, and
wherein the composition comprises: a mixing ratio in percent of dextrin, 10.03202531 or 12.65029758; granulated sugar, 2.623760466 or 3.277029469; vegetable oils, 1.543388509 or 1.927664394; casein sodium, 1.929235637 or 2.409580492; soy protein, 0.964617818 or 1.204790246; guar gum degradation product, 0.596133812 or 0.74486157; vitamins/glucose, 0.108037196 or 0.134936508; sodium ferrous citrate, 0.003472624 or 0.004337245; sodium phosphate, 0.289385346 or 0.361437074; calcium phosphate, 0.054018598 or 0.067468254; KCl, 0.231508276 or 0.289149659; dry yeast, 0.038063819 or 0.047550059; dolomite, 0.196782035 or 0.246982; sodium citrate, 0.210286684 or 0.262644274; table salt, 0.054018598 or 0.067468254; gelatinizing agent, 1.556893159 or 1.455989012; emulsifier, 0.140834201 or 0.175899376; processed starch, 0.154338851 or 0.14457483; flavors, 0.135046495 or 0.130117347; and water, 79.13724582 or 74.39579769.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the calories per ml of the composition are 0.5-0.9 kcal.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the moisture content is 30-95 percent by mass.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises dietary fibers.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a fluid diet.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in a semi-solid or solid state.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in a liquid state.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises: a mixing ratio in percent of dextrin, 10.03202531; granulated sugar, 2.623760466; vegetable oils, 1.543388509; casein sodium, 1.929235637; soy protein, 0.964617818; guar gum degradation product, 0.596133812; vitamins/glucose, 0.108037196; sodium ferrous citrate, 0.003472624; sodium phosphate, 0.289385346; calcium phosphate, 0.054018598KCl, 0.231508276; dry yeast, 0.038063819; dolomite, 0.196782035; sodium citrate, 0.210286684; table salt, 0.054018598; gelatinizing agent, 1.556893159; emulsifier, 0.140834201; processed starch, 0.154338851; flavors, 0.135046495; and water, 79.13724582.

9. The composition of claim 1,wherein the composition comprises: a mixing ratio in percent of dextrin, 12.65029758; granulated sugar, 3.277029469; vegetable oils, 1.927664394; casein sodium, 2.409580492; soy protein, 1.204790246; guar gum degradation product, 0.74486157; vitamins/glucose, 0.134936508; sodium ferrous citrate, 0.004337245; sodium phosphate, 0.361437074; calcium phosphate, 0.067468254; KCl, 0.289149659; dry yeast, 0.047550059; dolomite, 0.246982; sodium citrate, 0.262644274; table salt, 0.067468254; gelatinizing agent, 1.455989012; emulsifier, 0.175899376; processed starch, 0.14457483; flavors, 0.130117347; and water, 74.39579769.

10. A method of applying a low concentration nutritional composition comprising:
performing a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy procedure on a subject; and
applying to the subject an enteral nutritional composition, which comprises dextrin; granulated sugar; vegetable oils; casein sodium; soy protein; guar gum degradation product; vitamins/glucose; sodium ferrous citrate; sodium phosphate; calcium phosphate; KCl; dry yeast; dolomite; sodium citrate; table salt; gelatinizing agent; emulsifier; processed starch; flavors; and water,
wherein the calories per ml of the composition are less than 1 kcal and yet the moisture content is 30 percent by mass or more,
wherein the composition comprises: a mixing ratio in percent of dextrin, 10.03202531 or 12.65029758; granulated sugar, 2.623760466 or 3.277029469; vegetable oils, 1.543388509 or 1.927664394; casein sodium, 1.929235637 or 2.409580492; soy protein, 0.964617818 or 1.204790246; guar gum degradation product, 0.596133812 or 0.74486157; vitamins/glucose, 0.108037196 or 0.134936508; sodium ferrous citrate, 0.003472624 or 0.004337245; sodium phosphate, 0.289385346 or 0.361437074; calcium phosphate, 0.054018598 or 0.067468254; KCl, 0.231508276 or 0.289149659; dry yeast, 0.038063819 or 0.047550059; dolomite, 0.196782035 or 0.246982; sodium citrate, 0.210286684 or 0.262644274; table salt, 0.054018598or 0.067468254; gelatinizing agent, 1.556893159 or 1.455989012; emulsifier, 0.140834201 or 0.175899376; processed starch, 0.154338851 or 0.14457483; flavors, 0.135046495 or 0.130117347; and water, 79.13724582 or 74.39579769.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises: a mixing ratio in percent of dextrin, 10.03202531; granulated sugar, 2.623 760466; vegetable oils, 1.543388509; casein sodium, 1.929235637; soy protein, 0.964617818; guar gum degradation product, 0.596133812; vitamins/glucose, 0.108037196; sodium ferrous citrate, 0.003472624; sodium phosphate, 0.289385346; calcium phosphate, 0.054018598; KCl, 0.231508276; dry yeast, 0.038063819; dolomite, 0.196782035; sodium citrate, 0.21 0286684; table salt, 0.0540 18598; gelatinizing agent, 1.556893159; emulsifier, 0.140834201; processed starch, 0.154338851; flavors, 0.135046495; and water, 79.13724582.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises: a mixing ratio in percent of dextrin, 12.65029758; granulated sugar, 3.277029469; vegetable oils, 1.927664394; casein sodium, 2.409580492; soy protein, 1.204790246; guar gum degradation product, 0.74486157; vitamins/glucose, 0.134936508; sodium ferrous citrate, 0.004337245; sodium phosphate, 0.361437074; calcium phosphate, 0.067468254; KCl, 0.289149659; dry yeast, 0.047550059; dolomite, 0.246982; sodium citrate, 0.262644274; table salt, 0.067468254; gelatinizing agent, 1.455989012; emulsifier, 0.175899376; processed starch, 0.14457483; flavors, 0.130117347; and water, 74.39579769.

13. A method comprising:
administering a low-concentration, semi-solid enteral nutritional composition with a high moisture content to a subject who has difficulty taking food from the mouth,
wherein the composition includes proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, and the calories per ml of the composition are less than 1 kcal and yet the moisture content is 30 percent by mass or more, and
wherein the composition comprises: a mixing ratio in percent of dextrin, 10.03202531 or 12.65029758; granulated sugar, 2.623760466 or 3.277029469; vegetable oils, 1.543388509 or 1.927664394; casein sodium, 1.929235637 or 2.409580492; soy protein, 0.964617818 or 1.204790246; guar gum degradation product, 0.596133812 or 0.74486157; vitamins/glucose, 0.108037196 or 0.134936508; sodium ferrous citrate, 0.003472624 or 0.004337245; sodium phosphate, 0.289385346 or 0.361437074; calcium phosphate, 0.054018598 or 0.067468254; KCl, 0.231508276 or 0.289149659; dry yeast, 0.038063819 or 0.047550059; dolomite, 0.196782035 or 0.246982; sodium citrate, 0.210286684or 0.262644274; table salt, 0.054018598 or 0.067468254; gelatinizing agent, 1.556893159 or 1.455989012; emulsifier, 0.140834201 or 0.175899376; processed starch, 0.154338851 or 0.14457483; flavors, 0.135046495 or 0.130117347; and water, 79.13724582 or 74.39579769.

14. A method comprising:
administering a low-concentration, semi-solid enteral nutritional composition with a high moisture content to a subject who has difficulty taking food from the mouth,
wherein the composition includes proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, and the calories per ml of the composition are less than 1 kcal and yet the moisture content is 30 percent by mass or more, and
wherein the composition comprises: a mixing ratio in percent of dextrin, 10.03202531; granulated sugar, 2.623760466; vegetable oils, 1.543388509; casein sodium, 1.929235637; soy protein, 0.964617818; guar gum degradation product, 0.596133812; vitamins/glucose, 0.108037196; sodium ferrous citrate, 0.003472624; sodium phosphate, 0.289385346; calcium phosphate, 0.054018598; KCl, 0.231508276; dry yeast, 0.038063819; dolomite, 0.196782035; sodium citrate, 0.210286684; table salt, 0.054018598; gelatinizing agent, 1.556893159; emulsifier, 0.140834201; processed starch, 0.154338851; flavors, 0.135046495; and water, 79.13724582.

15. A method comprising:
administering a low-concentration, semi-solid enteral nutritional composition with a high moisture content to a subject who has difficulty taking food from the mouth,
wherein the composition includes proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, and the calories per ml of the composition are less than 1 kcal and yet the moisture content is 30 percent by mass or more, and
wherein the composition comprises: a mixing ratio in percent of dextrin, 12.65029758; granulated sugar, 3.277029469; vegetable oils, 1.927664394; casein sodium, 2.409580492; soy protein, 1.204790246; guar gum degradation product, 0.74486157; vitamins/glucose, 0.134936508; sodium ferrous citrate, 0.004337245; sodium phosphate, 0.361437074; calcium phosphate, 0.067468254; KCl, 0.289149659; dry yeast, 0.047550059; dolomite, 0.246982; sodium citrate, 0.262644274; table salt, 0.067468254; gelatinizing agent, 1.455989012; emulsifier, 0.175899376; processed starch, 0.14457483; flavors, 0.130117347; and water, 74.39579769.