We think that when a food has some added nutrient it is healthier, but is it really so?
Often food manufacturers fortify or enrich foods with large amounts of vitamins and minerals to make them more nutritious and make them sell better. The consumption of this type of products can make us consume largeamounts of nutrients.
He excessive nutrient intake it can also be harmful.
What is the use of enriching food?
A product is enriched when nutrients that have been lost in the manufacturing process are added or replaced.
A food fortified It is when you have added nutrients that you did not have before.
Adding a nutrient to a food may be appropriate if:
- Correct a dietary insufficiency
- Restore the level of a nutrient that has been lost during processing or storage
- Help to balance content vitamins, minerals and proteins
- Is used for replace a food traditional
Are fortified foods healthier?
Not always.
Is there any argument that supports the idea that fortification and fortification of food is useful. For example, you would need to eat meat, fatty fish, and 10 eggs every day to get enough vitamin D.
But in some cases it is not always recommended.
Many parents can get carried away by the advertising of many products that promote high levels of fortification to make their products more nutritious.
The cereals that many children take in the breakfast are usually enriched.
Its consumption can cause young children to consume too many amounts of: Vitamin A, zinc andniacin. These three nutrients are fortified in foods in amounts that are calculated for adults, not for children.
Vitamin A, zinc and niacin are necessary for health, but in very high doses can cause health problems.
Single serving of these fortified or fortified cerealswould exceed the safe limit of one or more of these nutrients in children under 8 years old.
Are there risks with fortified products?
Many of the vitamins and minerals that we eat daily can act as drugs in the body when taken in high amounts.
can lead to health problems such as liver lesions, skeletal abnormalities, peeling skin, brittle nails, and hair loss.
Too much vitamin A can cause birth defects, so it is also recommended that the pregnant women control the consumption of products enriched with vitamin A, especially if they are also taking a prenatal vitamin complex.
It can cause copper absorption which can lead to anemia and fatigue. High zinc levels can also negatively affect red and white blood cells and immune function.
Although it is less toxic than vitamin A and zinc, when too much is ingested it can cause a rash, nausea, or vomiting.
The most recommended
Parents can give their children fortified products, but it is recommended that they do not give them more than 20-25% of the RDA for adults of vitamin A, zinc and niacin.
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