Abstract: A sugar decomposition inhibitor, a maltase activity inhibitor, a glucoamylase activity inhibitor, a sucrase activity inhibitor and an isomaltase activity inhibitor comprising as an effective component a hot-water extract of banaba, a synthetic resin adsorption fraction of said hot-water extract, or a mixture thereof are provided. Further, an insulin secretion controller comprising as an effective component a hot-water extract of banaba is also provided. In addition, a healthy food and beverage comprising a hot-water extract of banaba, a synthetic resin adsorption fraction of said hot-water extract or a mixture thereof and sugar except for monosaccharides are provided.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a manufacturing process of carrot juice capable of obtaining, with high yield, carrot juice having a high-quality and stable characteristic free from occurrence of cohesion with less fishiness. To this end, the present invention comprises, first, peeling washed raw carrot, carrying out enzyme deactivation processing within one day, preferably, within 12 hours after peeling, and second, completely deactivating pectin esterase activity of carrot and carrying out enzyme deactivation processing so that a residual rate of pectinase activity is less than 60%. Such an enzyme deactivation processing may be done by blanching carrot till an internal temperature reaches 70 to 80° C. in water at 70 to 80° C., or blanching carrot till an internal temperature reaches 60 to 70° C. in 0.02M to 0.05M citric acid solution at 60 to 70° C., or processing carrot with supercritical carbonic acid gas by a microbubble SC—CO2 method.

Abstract: This invention is characterized by a brain function improving preparation containing theanine not less than 50 &mgr;M. It was confirmed that theanine could increase intracellular Ca2+ concentration by acting on NMDA receptors even at a low dose of about 50 &mgr;M. Thus, the brain function improving preparation of this invention was shown to be capable of causing plastic change in neurons or neural circuit. Since theanine has been approved as a food additive and being consumed daily, its safety has no problem. Moreover, theanine passes the blood-brain barrier relatively easily and, thus, it is effective as an oral preparation.

Abstract: Tea leaves are extracted in warm or hot water, and the obtained extract is contacted with a cation exchange resin ionically bonded to potassium ion. The potassium ion is ionically bonded to the cation exchange resin in advance. Divalent ions in the tea beverage are replaced with the potassium ions from the cation exchange resin. The electrical conductivity of the extract is controlled in this whole process. The natural flavor and quality of the tea are thereby maintained more certainly, since metal ions that cause muddiness or precipitation are effectively removed.

Abstract: An excitement accelerating agent was produced by incorporating a very small amount of theanine as an effective compoment in a range that shows the excitement accelerating action. The very small amount in a range that shows the excitement accelerating action means a range containing theanine in an amount of from about 0.17 mg/kg to 0.85 mg/kg, preferably from about 0.17 mg/kg to 0.34 mg/kg based on the weight as an injection agent, and in an amount of from about 0.20 mg/kg to 2.8 mg/kg, preferably from about 0.50 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg (0.17/0.338-0.85/0.338) as an oral agent. A safe and effective excitement accelerating agent can be provided by utilizing sufficiently the excitement accelerating action given by theanine, and if it is regularly taken for a long period of time, it is also effective as a nutritious tonic, an energy-increasing agent, and a stamina-sustaining agent.

Abstract: The caffeine stimulation inhibitor that inhibits stimulation by combining the use of theanine extracted from tea leaves and/or a substance having theanine for its major active ingredient which is produced by extracting tea leaves with a solvent such as water, hot water or ethanol, chemical synthesis, microbial fermentation or plant tissue culturing. These active ingredients are able to inhibit the stimulatory action of caffeine without degrading the quality, such as the flavor and aroma, of caffeine-containing beverages and foods, allowing persons hypersensitive to caffeine to consume caffeine-containing beverages and foods without worry over its effects.