Calcium bioavailability from a fortified cereal-legume snack (laddoo)

ObjectiveCalcium intakes in underprivileged Indian children are often low. Improving calcium intake fortification of indigenous foods may be a viable strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate calcium absorption, as judged by an acute increase in serum ionized calcium concentration, after ingestion of a calcium-fortified cereal-legume snack (laddoo).MethodsThree groups of eight children (8–12 y old) with low habitual dietary calcium intake were recruited for the study. After an overnight fast, a calcium-fortified (500 mg of calcium carbonate) cereal-legume snack (laddoo) was given to group A, a similar but non-fortified snack was given to group B, and group C received calcium carbonate (500 mg) alone. Serum concentrations of ionized calcium and intact parathyroid hormone were measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h.ResultsIn group A, a peak of 6% above baseline was observed at 1 h in serum ionized calcium, whereas group C showed a peak of 5.5% at 4 h and group B showed a small increase of 1.8% at 1 h. The change in area under curve of groups A and C were of similar order (4.6 and 5.5, respectively), whereas that of group B was significantly lower (0.82). Serum parathyroid hormone was lowest at 2 h in groups A and B and at 3 h in group C.ConclusionThe fortified cereal-legume laddoo may act as a novel vehicle for increasing calcium intake in children.