September 18, 2008

Weekly News UpdateSardines in Your OJ?

Many of the food products you eat today may be fortified with more than just vitamins and minerals. For example, a certain "heart healthy" orange juice is fortified with omega-3 fatty acids that have been extracted from anchovies and sardines and then purified. Other products that have been infused with extracts from other foods include fruit drinks infused with green tea extracts, sandwich breads enhanced with omega-3 fatty acids, and cereals enriched with probiotics (healthy bacteria, typically found in yogurts). The term nutraceutical is used to describe food ingredients that have been derived from other food items. Originally, nutraceuticals typically were found in the form of dietary supplements such as garlic or cranberry pills. Nowadays, more food companies are placing nutraceuticals directly into food products.

Proponents of nutraceuticals believe that the supplements offer an easier way for people to get the nutrients they need—especially considering many people are more likely to drink a glass of orange juice than eat a serving of fatty fish such as sardines or anchovies. Critics of nutraceuticals point to the lack of scientific agreement over how effective the nutrients are once they've been changed from their original form. While there is evidence that fiber, calcium, soy protein, lactic acid bacteria, and omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to one's diet, there is less evidence to support the same conclusion for antioxidants such as those normally found in fruits and vegetables. There is some evidence that antioxidants work best in combination with other factors, and taking an antioxidant in an isolated form is not as beneficial to one's health.

Currently, the FDA has no specific rules with regard to the labeling of food products that contain nutraceuticals. While food companies are required by law to list ingredients that are potential allergens, such as nuts, wheat, or eggs, they do not have to disclose the origin of the nutrient supplements added to their product. So, though your loaf of bread may be enhanced with omega-3 fatty acids derived from anchovies, nowhere in the ingredient list will you find any type of fish listed. This oversight can be problematic for those on restricted diets, such as vegetarians.

Many questions remain about the effectiveness of nutraceuticals placed in food products. Though they may provide an easy way to get the nutrients you need, the best way to ensure that your body gets specific nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants, and fiber, is to eat the food items in which they normally appear.

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Last updated September 18, 2008 | Comments (3) | Permalink | Weekly News Update