Nutrition is the foundation of good health. It plays a role in preventing chronic diseases and keeping you healthy. In today’s world, it can be challenging to get all the nutrients you need from food alone, especially if you have special dietary needs or are trying to avoid certain foods for other reasons. That’s why fortified foods may be a good option for you. Fortifying your food with essential vitamins and minerals is known as fortification. This process adds these important micronutrients back into foods that typically don’t contain them in enough quantity to meet recommended daily intake levels. There are many types of fortified foods available on the market today, which makes it easier for us to get the nutrients we need every day.
What are micronutrients?
Micronutrients are vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Micronutrients play a role in many aspects of health. They are involved in energy metabolism, brain health, immune function, and even the structure of our DNA. While macronutrients like fats, proteins, and carbohydrates provide calories and energy, micronutrients enhance the functions of your body. Some common micronutrients include: Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Iron and Manganese.
The importance of fortifying food
Fortifying food is a great way to boost your intake of essential micronutrients, particularly if you are at risk for developing a deficiency. When it comes to fortifying your food, it can be easy to miss the key nutrients that you may be missing – such as Vitamin B12 or iron.
Which micronutrients should you focus on?
There are many micronutrients that may be lacking in your diet, and it is important to know which ones are essential to your health. If you have certain dietary restrictions or health conditions, you may need to pay special attention to your intake of certain micronutrients.
Fortified Food and Your Health
In addition to providing essential micronutrients that may not be present in your diet, fortified foods may have other health benefits. For instance, Iron fortification can be helpful for people who have low iron levels and may help reduce the risk of iron deficiency. While iron fortification is controversial, particularly for those at low risk for iron deficiency, it can be helpful for pregnant women, who may be at risk for low iron levels.
How to find fortified foods
When you are looking for fortified foods, it is important to know what nutrients they contain. Some fortified foods may be better than others, so you should choose those that contain vitamins and minerals that are important to your health. You can find fortified foods at most food stores, and they may be highlighted in the store as being fortified.
Bottom line
The benefits of fortified foods go beyond basic nutrition. Many fortified foods provide additional micronutrients that may be lacking in your diet and provide other health benefits. Fortified foods may be helpful for people who eat a vegan or vegetarian diet, as well as those with certain health conditions that may make it more difficult to meet micronutrient needs through diet alone.
