Consumer attention in the area of bone health continues to grow. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Fortitech Premixes Regional Formulations Manager Cathy Arnold. Here is what she had to say…
 
To which demographics do bone health beverages appeal?
Historically, women and adults age 60 plus have been the focus of bone, as well as joint health products. The market is growing, as a rising number of men and younger adults are being diagnosed with osteoporosis or are at high risk due to low bone mass, according to the National Institute of Aging; two million men in the U.S. have osteoporosis.  
 
A body of information exists supporting that most people around the world do not get enough calcium or vitamin D, and recent research indicates there is a high percentage of vitamin D deficiency in children under 11, particularly noting deficiency in African American and Hispanic children in the U.S. The wide spectrum of deficient populations, in turn, increases the necessity for product innovation and demographic-appropriate product development.
 
What vitamins, minerals and other ingredients can be used for bone health fortification?
By far, calcium and vitamin D have been the mainstay ingredients in bone health-promoting products and the subject of considerable scientific research. However, there is growing consumer interest in other ingredients that could promote optimal bone health. These ingredients include magnesium, vitamin K1 and vitamin K2, vitamin C, and possibly some botanical compounds, such as those found in tea or soy.
  
What are some formulation challenges/considerations that beverage-makers should take into account when working with vitamins, minerals and other ingredients that you mentioned?
While all of the aforementioned nutrients can aid in bone and joint health, calcium is the one particular ingredient that consumers seek out when looking for products that address this issue. A number of market forms of calcium are available to boost a product’s calcium content. Food products, such as fruit juice, infant food, health food and sports beverages are most often fortified with calcium and other minerals. 
 
The challenge for formulators is to select an appropriate form of calcium that delivers the desired level of the mineral without affecting flavor, solubility, bioavailability, sensory properties and the mouth-feel of the finished product. Calcium carbonate is perhaps the most cost-effective source of calcium, however, it has a tendency to provide a chalkiness taste and have a gritty mouth-feel, as does dicalcium phosphate.
 
Some of these processing issues can be prevented if a blend of calcium sources is used instead of a single source. In addition, these calcium salts are not very soluble; therefore, it is desirable to add calcium citrate or organic acid to improve solubility. In order to get the most out of these salts, a manufacturer has to decrease the pH to solubilize, which causes absorption to increase. In general, in order to have more absorption, it is necessary to have soluble calcium salts, but there are advantages and disadvantages to either soluble or insoluble forms. For example, calcium gluconate is soluble but may interact with other ingredients in the product and impact flavor. 
 
Large doses of calcium are efficiently excreted by the body and do not usually produce toxic effects unless the individual has a history of kidney stones. While suggested dietary intakes vary with different age groups and between men and women, it is commonly recommended that adults consume 1,000 mg of calcium per day.
 
What beverage formats have seen success with bone health fortification? What formats could see success, but have not taken full advantage of the fortification?
We have received requests from manufacturers across a broad spectrum of product categories, but the frontrunner, as you would imagine, has been from those involved in the dairy industry. However, we have seen more and more requests from those that manufacture juice and to some extent, enhanced waters. In terms of a format that is prime for success, we would venture to say that powdered beverages in the form of stick packs are an area of opportunity. These are convenient, portable formats that can create on the go, health-promoting drinks to address bone health as well as a myriad of other health conditions.
 
What are the benefits of fortifying beverages with the vitamins and minerals that can aid bone health?
Our body’s nutritional needs change as we age. This means that nutrient absorption and the beneficial impact of those nutrients change as well. The benefit to beverage fortification with nutrients that can aid bone health is that this is a format that can help fill nutrient “gaps” that are caused by our changing bodies. For most of us, including a drink in our daily regime that can support bone health is easy to accomplish.