Addition of milk or caseinophosphopeptides to fruit beverages to improve iron bioavailability?

A study has been made of the influence of caseinophosphopeptides (CPPs) added to a fruit beverage versus milk based fruit beverages upon iron retention, transport and uptake, using a combined simulated gastrointestinal digestion/Caco-2 cell system. Grape concentrate, orange concentrate, and apricot puree were used for sample formulation. Eight samples were assayed with/without added Fe sulphate (3 mg/100 ml fruit beverage) and/or added Zn sulphate (1.6 mg/100 ml fruit beverage), with/without skimmed milk (11% v/v). The addition of milk to fruit beverages exerted a positive effect on iron retention, transport and uptake versus fruit beverages, and this effect was greater than that of CPPs added to soluble fractions of fruit beverages. The addition of CPPs to soluble fractions of fruit beverages improved iron transport. Iron supplementation increased Fe retention, transport and uptake – the effect being more notable in samples with milk. Zinc supplementation did not affect Fe retention, transport or uptake.