The health-kick bandwagon is loaded with surprising bedmates, from soft-drink companies to candy manufacturers. Enriched with herbs, minerals, and other nutrients, new energy drinks, waters, and even confections aim to snag consumers with the notion that “it’s better for you.” While everyone knows that vitamins are important for good health, few of us actually know why.
One of the most common nutrients incorporated in foods is folic acid, a synthetic form of folate. Added to cereals, flours, and orange juice, this water-soluble vitamin improves the odds of babies being born healthy, as a lack of folate can cause spina bifida and birth defects in children. Folic acid may also reduce the risk of heart disease, as it is believed to reduce levels of homocysteine, a chemical found in people’s blood. However, the body does not always absorb folate well when taken in food, so women planning to become pregnant should take a supplement to insure that they and their babies are healthy.
Vitamin C is another additive found in many American processed foods. Also known as ascorbic acid, this vital nutritional component prevents a breakdown of collagen in our cells. Collagen, which “glues” our cells together, is essential to keep old wounds closed. When combined with vitamin C, iron is also more readily absorbed by the body. Vitamin C also keeps our immune system strong, enabling us to fight off colds and viruses. Daily ingestion of vitamin C is necessary to keep vitamins store high in our body. Vitamin C is most often absorbed through citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, tangerines, and limes. Similar citrus sources were used to prevent scurvy in sailors during the 1700’s.
Vitamin D is added to milk to help absorb calcium, and both vitamin D and calcium have been added to fruit juices, especially orange, due to its improved absorbency in a fruit-base versus animal-base. Vitamin D helps maintain calcium in the body, thus improving bone health. Using sunlight, the body creates vitamin D. With the increased use of sun block among Americans, doctors saw a modern return of rickets among children, a bone disease caused by a lack of vitamin D. It is now advised that children receive sunlight, preferably on top of their heads, for a minimum of 20 minutes per day.
Though fortified foods are a worldwide phenomenon, they are not always welcomed abroad. In 2004, Denmark stepped forward to ban the addition of calcium, iron, and B6 from a cereal by a well-known manufacturer, stating that the proposed amounts (17% of the daily-recommended value) were too high. Many European spokespersons were baffled, as those same fortified cereals have found their way to shelves all across the world.
While fortification of these commonly eaten foods is helpful to the diet, some people, such as vegetarians, require additional supplements in order to get the necessary nutrients for good health. Many vegans, who ingest no animal products whatsoever, are lacking in B vitamins. For vegans, another source is their local health foods store, where a plethora of supplements can be found to complete their nutritional needs.
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