Calcium in fortified beverages.

I've frequently wondered how much calcium is actually in my glass of soymilk since there's often a layer of sludge left at the bottom of the glass or in the carton. Could this be where most of the calcium ends up? Researchers at Creighton University have raised important concerns about the amount of calcium actually delivered by fortified beverages. They examined four brands of calcium-fortified soymilk and rice milk and eight brands of calcium-fortified orange juice. Beverages were tested and assigned a score based on the amount of calcium in the beverage that did not dissolve (and that probably would not be drunk) and on the likelihood of the calcium in the beverage being absorbed. A score of 100 indicates a source of calcium that would be well absorbed and that would deliver the amount of calcium on the product's nutrition label. Scores for orange juice ranged from 70 to 99, with most products above 95. Soymilk and rice milk scores ranged from 57.5 to 90. These results suggest that many calcium-fortified beverages do not deliver as much calcium as the label suggests they do. What can consumers do?

* Shake calcium-fortified beverages very well to maximize the amount of calcium in your glass.

* Use other well-absorbed sources of calcium like kale and collard greens in addition to calcium-fortified beverages.

* Contact producers of calcium-fortified beverages and let them know that it is important that their products deliver usable calcium in the amount indicated on the label.

Heaney RP, Rafferty K, Bierman J. 2005. Not all calcium-fortified beverages are equal. Nutr Today 40: 39-45.