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Calcium-Fortified Beverages: What's on the label may not be what ends up in a glass
Milk is the most reliable source of calcium
Sacramento
CA, February 16, 2005 - A new study published this week
in Nutrition Today1 finds naturally calcium-rich milk
is the most reliable source of this bone-building nutrient,
superior to calcium-fortified soy and rice beverages and many
orange juice brands. The study reveals that much of the calcium
settles to the bottom of fortified soy and rice beverage containers,
even after vigorous shaking. Researchers say that simply adding
calcium to beverages does not make them nutritional substitutes
for milk as the calcium actually available can be as much
as 85% lower than the amount on the product label.
"The
calcium that you'll find added to many soy beverages will
have settled to the bottom of the container," said Robert
P. Heaney, MD, FACP, FACN, Osteoporosis Research Center at
Creighton University, Omaha. "Hand shaking wasn't enough;
we found that really vigorous shaking, such as with a hardware
store paint shaker, would have been needed to suspend the
calcium in these beverages so you can put them in the glass
and drink them." This study shows that the nutrition label
for milk is accurate for calcium in that the amount listed
on the label is same as what is actually in a glass of milk.
In this
study, milk scored higher than all four soy or rice beverages,
and eight of 10 orange juice products. Scores comparing calcium
liquid suspension for two of the orange juice products were
nearly the same as milk. Due to the inconsistent quality of
calcium fortification in soy and rice beverages and orange
juice brands, the researchers concluded milk is the most reliable
calcium source.
With 85 percent of shoppers looking at the Nutrition Facts Label
when choosing which foods to buy2, and almost eight out of ten
Americans not meeting their calcium requirements, this information
is critical for health-conscious shoppers.
Recently,
the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended 3 servings
a day of calcium-rich low-fat and nonfat dairy foods, in addition
to other under-consumed foods including whole grains, fruits
and vegetables. In addition to calcium, milk provides protein,
phosphorus, vitamins A and D, and many other nutrients. For
quick and easy milk and dairy recipes visit www.mealsmatter.org.
#
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Dairy Council of California develops nutrition education programs that
are easy to use and meet the unique needs of students at different
grade levels. Making healthy food choices from all food groups and
including physical activity are the foundation for life long health
and wellness. Our programs are scientifically sound and tested to
ensure behavior change. Healthy Eating Made Easier.
1Heaney,
RP et al. Not all calcium fortified beverages are equal. Nutrition
Today. 2005; 40(1): pp-pp.
2New York Times Nationwide Telephone
Survey of 554 adults, as reported in "Read Any Good Nutrition
Labels Lately?" December 1, 2004 by Marian Burros
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