Fortified Beverage Delivers Nutrients As Well As OJ, But With Fewer Calories

U.S. researchers have found that the bioavailability of certain nutrients in 100 percent orange juice and in a nutrient-fortified low-calorie beverage are similar. In the study, 12 adult men were fed a 591 mL serving of orange juice, a low-calorie beverage fortified with ascorbic acid and folic acid, and one percent low-fat milk. Blood samples were taken at 30-minute intervals over 4.5 hours and analyzed for nutrient concentrations. Although the blood plasma concentration of ascorbic acid was much greater after drinking the fortified beverage, bioavailability of the nutrient was the same in both drinks. The same result was found with folic acid. The researchers noted that, though both beverages delivered nutrients equally well, the fortified drink had "far fewer calories".