Plant-based products can also be fortified with key minerals, including…
IRON
‘When people think of the health benefits of iron, steak, liver and other red meats are the foods that spring to mind. Plant-based foods such as lentils, dark leafy green vegetables and dried fruit are all sources of non-heme iron. However, non-heme iron isn’t as easily absorbed and so must be consumed in much larger amounts for those on a plant-based diet. Natural sources of iron, such as spirulina powder and kale grass powder, present an effective fortification solution for food and beverage products as they are free from any animal-derived products.
CALCIUM
Calcium is key to keeping our bones strong and is traditionally found in dairy products, especially milk. However, calcium can also be sourced from certain plants, such as dark green vegetables (broccoli, for instance), along with fortified products including soy milk and cereals. The plant-based milk market grew by 9% in 2018 in the US, compared to cow’s milk which shrunk by 6%, opening up an opportunity for manufacturers looking to develop their offering in this sector. DSM offers botanical ingredients, such as kale grass powder, to increase levels of this important nutrient in your plant-based food and beverage products.
ZINC
Calcium is key to keeping our bones strong and is traditionally found in dairy products, especially milk. However, calcium can also be sourced from certain plants, such as dark green vegetables (broccoli, for instance), along with fortified products including soy milk and cereals. The plant-based milk market grew by 9% in 2018 in the US, compared to cow’s milk which shrunk by 6%, opening up an opportunity for manufacturers looking to develop their offering in this sector. DSM offers botanical ingredients, such as kale grass powder, to increase levels of this important nutrient in your plant-based food and beverage products.
Zinc is essential for everyday functions within the body, including cell growth and repair, protein metabolism, wound healing and immunity. Similar to iron, the body can struggle to absorb plant-based sources of zinc and so it’s a good idea for people following the diet to consume higher levels of zinc.