Most Common Vitamins and Minerals in Cereal
Cereals include a wide spectrum of choices. Picking out the right cereal when shopping may be confusing. Start by looking at the nutrition labels to ensure adequate vitamins and minerals are included. Many varieties are fortified with added beneficial vitamins.
Cereals include a wide spectrum of choices. Picking out the right cereal when shopping may be confusing. Start by looking at the nutrition labels to ensure adequate vitamins and minerals are included. Many varieties are fortified with added beneficial vitamins. Common vitamins and minerals in cereals maintain health and wellness.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium and vitamin D work together to maintain strong, dense bones, thereby reducing your risk for bone fracture. These are staple nutrients in dry cereals. Cheerios, for instance, contains 10 percent of the daily value of both calcium and vitamin D. When you add 1/2 cup of skim milk, the daily value goes up to 25 percent. In addition, these important nutrients may decrease your risk for colorectal cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Vitamins B-6 and B-12
The vitamin B complex includes B-6 and B-12. Such cereals as Kellogg's Special K, All Bran and Corn Flakes are fortified with these vitamins. These are water-soluble, meaning they are excreted in the urine every day and not stored in the body. It is important to consume these vitamins to avoid deficiencies. The B vitamins are responsible for giving your body energy and metabolizing fats and proteins. Vitamins B-6 and B-12 work together to regulate an amino acid called homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine at high levels is linked to heart disease.
Iron
Iron is an important mineral added to certain cereals. Most cereals contain a 45-percent daily value of iron, such as Quaker Life and Oat Bran. General Mills' Wheaties and Chex Chocolate are other examples that include iron. A deficiency in iron is called anemia. Iron supports the oxygen transport in red blood cells that circulate throughout the body. Anemia will leave you feeling fatigued, short of breath and pale.