Milk, fortified with four minerals and three vitamins, cut the occurrence of respiratory infections and days with severe illness, and could be a well accepted means of improving health, especially amongst pre-schoolers in the developing world, says new research.
According to the United Nations World Food Programme, iron deficiency is the most common form of malnutrition, affecting 4.5 billion people worldwide. It is estimated to impair the mental development of 40-60 percent children in developing countries.
“Our results suggest that micronutrients can be delivered successfully through fortified milk, which is also a well-accepted delivery method,” said lead researcher Sunil Sazawal from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The research was funded by Fonterra Brands, an arm of New Zealand’s leading dairy co-operative Fonterra. The company has a history of funding research into the potential benefits of its fortified milks.