Ingestion of micronutrient fortified breakfast cereal has no influence on immune function in healthy children: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundThis study investigated the influence of 2-months ingestion of an "immune" nutrient fortified breakfast cereal on immune function and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in healthy children during the winter season.MethodsSubjects included 73 children (N = 42 males, N = 31 females) ranging in age from 7 to 13 years (mean ± SD age, 9.9 ± 1.7 years), and 65 completed all phases of the study. Subjects were randomized to one of three groups--low, moderate, or high fortification--with breakfast cereals administered in double blinded fashion. The "medium" fortified cereal contained B-complex vitamins, vitamins A and C, iron, zinc, and calcium, with the addition of vitamin E and higher amounts of vitamins A and C, and zinc in the "high" group. Immune measures included delayed-typed hypersensitivity, global IgG antibody response over four weeks to pneumococcal vaccination, salivary IgA concentration, natural killer cell activity, and granulocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity. Subjects under parental supervision filled in a daily log using URTI symptoms codes.ResultsSubjects ingested 3337 ± 851 g cereal during the 2-month study, which represented 14% of total diet energy intake and 20-85% of selected vitamins and minerals. Despite significant increases in nutrient intake, URTI rates and pre- to- post-study changes in all immune function measures did not differ between groups.ConclusionsData from this study indicate that ingestion of breakfast cereal fortified with a micronutrient blend for two winter months by healthy, growing children does not significantly influence biomarkers for immune function or URTI rates.

The Benefits of Breakfast Cereal Consumption: A Systematic Review of the Evidence Base

“…There is some limited research on breakfast cereals and probiotic effects ( 160 , 254 , 255 ), immune function ( 256 , 257 ), exercise recovery ( 258 ), and anemia ( 259 ), but the information is too preliminary to draw any firm conclusions.…”

Reference Intervals of and Relationships among Essential Trace Elements in Whole Blood of Children Aged 0-14 years

“…It should be noted that although essential trace elements supplementation are benefit for mineral‐deficient children, the effects of extra supplementation on healthy and well‐fed children are somewhat disappointing. Zn‐ and Fe‐combined supplementation has been reported to be inefficacious on immune function among nourished and healthy children and has less positive effect on growth than Zn‐only supplementation . It has been suggested that excessive Fe intake of infants may increase the risk of infection .…”

Global Consensus Recommendations on Prevention and Management of Nutritional Rickets

“…Food fortification effectively increased dietary calcium intakes by using calcium-fortified laddoos in the diet of underprivileged Indian toddlers [240] and by calcium fortification of cereal for 7-to 12-year-old children [241] . More than 1,100 foods are calcium fortified in the United States, yet dairy food makes up more than 65% of adolescents' calcium intake [242] .…”