Every now and then my friend from Nederlands, Liliane asks me a health related question which invariably turns out to be the topic of my article. Liliane wanted to know about the various brands of fortified waters available in the U.S.A with vitamins, minerals and what have you, do I consume such waters and what should be the ideal way to go around these products? Lots of great questions and the answers are all coming your way. Joel from Brisbane too wanted more information on rehydration so Joel, read along this one can help you too...
To begin with the question everyone asks me what water I drink or food I eat? Well I do not consume fortified waters for a simple reason that I fortify my food and fluids adequately in their natural or acquired form. I rely for my body hydration on mineral water or hygienic water of atleast 60 - 70 fl oz apart from another 30 fl oz of soups, juices, broths, yogurt, smoothies that I would choose from at random. However having said that fortified waters especially with minerals and Vitamin C can be beneficial if they do not alter the water composition and chemical properties to an extent that is harmfull for the body. But these are beneficial for those who are either debilitated with disease or have a tremendous nutrient requirement like the athletes competeing in championships. For regular lifestyle always rely on basics like plain water, fruit juices, fruit waters of citrus fruits, thin yoghurt/ buttermilk, vegetable/ lentil/ millet broths (non cream). What one needs to understand about such fortified waters is the reason it is needed. To compensate on heavy losses of minerals and vitamins after workouts, competition, under nourished body these fluids with RDA (recommended dietary allowances) approved fortification can be consumed. The pH of the fluid shouldn't be altered after fortification to an extent that it alters its chemical properties (too acidic or too alkaline). Remember our blood has a pH of 7.4 (pH 7.0 is neutral) so we need to be hovering around it.
Foods can be fortified and one need not have specific requirements to consume them. I fortify my breakfast a lot for e.g if I have an iron rich food I always couple it with citrus or Vitamin C rich natural food or fortified product, as Vit C plays crucial role in iron's preferred uptake in the intestine. My bread is always whole wheat but sometimes mix grain helps in giving additional nutrients missing or less in wheat alone. Egg white are never without skim milk or even my cooked millets for that matter. Sometimes I may add milk to flour or milk powder to flour to fortify it with protein, calcium and other minerals. The home made yoghurt when being cultured is fortified with an extra spoon of skim milk powder so as to increase nutrient content in the same amount as well as enhance the body of the yoghurt. Vegetable soups can also be fortified by adding chunks of bran coutons non fried of course or fruit soups with vegetable soups can be quite a stirr in your diet. Fortified food products are so easily available in every mall or store but not every product is applicable to your needs so don't be a blind shopper. Always read the label on the product and verify how much of the nutrient has been fortified. Its always the higher amount of fortification as the body's absorption preferrences are factored in while producing the product. Lets say Product X has been fortified with N amount of Zinc its because the actual absorption of Zinc would have been factored as N-2, so on and so forth. There is a lot that will be shared with you on this one topic so login or send me an email by clicking on http://www.blogger.com/profile/04806964576282909106%20andand ask me if you want a specific answer pertaining to your needs.
Wish you wellness,
Neha Wasnik
R.D
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