Increased consumer awareness of the health advantages of plant-based foods and beverages has resulted in a preference for functional beverages over traditional sugar-laden drinks and beverages that just satisfy thirst but give little or no nutritional or health benefits. This study carried out the formulation and sensory evaluation of cocoa beverages enriched with calcium and zinc. Nutritional composition, functional properties and anti-nutritional factors were investigated using standard analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical chemist. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and results were expressed as mean and standard deviation. The result of proximate indicates that moisture, ash, and fibre content were within the normal range. The result also shows that the blend formulated contained an appreciable amount of vitamin A and minerals elements such as K, Na, Ca, and Zn which are public health importance. The result of functional properties indicate that bulk density range from (0.763 - 0.579 g/cm3), swelling index (0.7- 0.32 ml/g), reconstitution index (3.0 – 1.1 g/ml), water absorption capacity (0.6 – 0.58 ml/g) and pH (6.78-6.63). Therefore, on the basis of this study, it can be concluded that the formulated blends serve can serve as a good sources of macro and micro nutrients to combat hidden hunger.

The metabolic profile of HIV/AIDS patient on HAART was investigated in comparison with HIV/AIDS patient who are HAART naive and also with the zero negative controls. Sixty (60) HIV subjects were used for the study and were carefully divided into two groups of thirty (30) each; group one were those on HAART and the other HAART naive while thirty (30) zero negative subjects were used as the control. Patients used for these studies are those who have been on the treatment for at least a year and not more than three years. Metabolic parameters assessed included serum total protein, albumin, globulin, electrolytes, creatinine and lipid profile. Results obtained reveals no significant (P > 0.05) changes in the serum electrolyte and creatinine concentrations in all groups and similar trend was also observed for total protein and albumin levels but a significant (P< 0.05) reduction was observed in the level of serum globulin concentration of patients on HAART (2.86±0.67) compared with the HAART naive (3.41±0.62). More so, there was significant (P<0.05) elevation in the serum total cholesterol concentration for the HAART group (150.9±15.01) compared with HAART naive (114.5±17.04) and similar trend was also observed for LDL-cholesterol which may be a possibly indication of altered lipid metabolism. Thus, patients on HAART should carry out routine biochemical check most especially lipid panel assessment to avoid risk of altered metabolism; lipid dystrophy etc.