ANÁLISIS DESCRIPTIVO A PARTIR DEL RÓTULO NUTRICIONAL: CALCIO Y FACILITADORES DE SU ABSORCIÓN EN BEBIDAS VEGETALES PROCESADAS

Abstract

Introduction: Calcium is the most abundant and important mineral in the body. Dietary factors that increase calcium absorption are: vitamin D, lactose, lipids, amino acids, and citrates. In view of the scant studies on the components that facilitate calcium absorption in processed vegetable beverages made from legumes, cereals, coconut, and nuts, our intention was to determine the amount and type of calcium and of the components that facilitate its absorption in these beverages. Materials and methods: A quantitative and descriptive study was conducted from a sample of 49 vegetable drinks present in the three supermarket chains in Montevideo. The variables studied: amount and type of calcium added, and amount and type of facilitators (proteins, lipids, vitamin C and D), as declared in the nutritional labels and lists of ingredients, respectively. Mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation were calculated to analyze the data, Student test, ANOVA, ANOVA Post Hoc, and Pearson correlation. Results: 31% of the processed vegetable beverages studied had calcium added (average value: 120 mg). Added calcium carbonate predominates in the sample. Facilitating components are present in all the vegetable beverages in the sample, with soy drinks presenting all four facilitators. A significant difference in vitamin D content was observed in vegetable beverages with and without calcium addition. There is a positive correlation for lipid content and vitamin D. The contribution of calcium and vitamin D of the BV with added calcium in one portion (200ml) represents 26% and 20% of the recommended daily intake respectively. Conclusions: Knowing the mineral content and the absorption facilitators in the nutritional composition of processed vegetable drinks is relevant when recommending this type of food. Keywords: vegetable beverages; calcium; minerals in vegetable beverages; food labeling; nutritional composition of vegetable beverages.