Ingestion of “immune” nutrient fortified breakfast cereal has no influence on immune function in children

Abstract

The influence of 2‐months ingestion of an “immune” nutrient fortified breakfast cereal on immune function and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was studied in children during the winter. Subjects included 73 children (N=42 males, N=31 females) ranging in age from 7 to 13 years (9.9±1.7). Subjects were randomized to 1 of 3 groups (double blinded): cereal without added nutrients, or with moderate or high “immune” nutrient fortification (A, C, E, and B‐complex, iron, and zinc, with higher A, C, E in the “high” group). Immune measures included delayed‐typed hypersensitivity, global IgG to pneumococcal vaccination, salivary IgA, PHA‐stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity, and granulocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity. Subjects under parental supervision filled in daily logs using URTI symptoms codes. Subjects ingested 3337±106 gm cereal during the 2‐month study, which represented 14% of energy intake and 20–80% of selected vitamins/minerals. Despite elevated intake of nutrients, URTI rates and pre‐ to‐ post‐study changes in all immune measures did not differ between groups. Data from this study indicate that ingestion of breakfast cereal fortified with an “immune” nutrient blend for 2 winter months by healthy children does not influence biomarkers of innate or adaptive immune function or URTI.Funded by General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition