Study warns unfortified plant-based dairy alternatives may lower nutrient intake

A University of Surrey-led study found that replacing dairy with plant-based alternatives that are not fortified could lower intake of iodine, calcium, riboflavin and vitamin B12. Researchers modeled dietary data from over 3,500 people aged between 18 months and 100 years, using commercially available alternatives.

Under current fortification levels, replacing 20% to 35% of dairy raised modeled iodine inadequacy among adolescent females from 54% to 65%, and among women aged 19 to 49 years old from 32% to 42%, according to the study. At full replacement, iodine inadequacy reached 80% in adolescent females and 72% in adolescent males. Medical Xpress reported that mandatory fortification of plant-based dairy alternatives prevented declines in nutrient intake, but iodine inadequacy remained in 59% of adolescent females. Adding iodine-fortified bread reduced it to 37%. Researchers said combining both approaches was most effective.