Yes, calcium in fortified almond milk is generally absorbable. Almond milk is often fortified with calcium to provide a nutritional profile comparable to dairy milk.
While calcium in fortified plant-based milks like almond milk is absorbable, it's important to understand the nuances of absorption, particularly when comparing different plant-based options.
Calcium Fortification in Plant Milks
Both soy and almond milks are commonly fortified with calcium to match the amount found in dairy milk. This fortification aims to ensure that consumers choosing these plant-based alternatives can still meet their daily calcium requirements.
Absorption Factors: A Key Distinction
When it comes to calcium absorption, the presence of certain natural compounds can play a role. The provided reference specifically highlights an important distinction:
- Soy Milk: Your body may not absorb all of the calcium in soy milk because soy contains a natural compound called phytate. Phytate is known to inhibit calcium absorption.
- Almond Milk: The provided reference does not mention phytates or other natural compounds in almond milk that inhibit calcium absorption. This suggests that while calcium is added to almond milk, the reference does not indicate similar absorption challenges related to inherent compounds, unlike soy milk.
To illustrate this, consider the comparison:
Milk Type | Calcium Fortification Status | Specific Absorption Inhibitors Mentioned in Reference |
---|---|---|
Almond Milk | Often fortified with calcium to match dairy milk levels. | None mentioned in the provided reference. |
Soy Milk | Often fortified with calcium to match dairy milk levels. | Phytate (a natural compound in soy) inhibits calcium absorption. |
Therefore, while almond milk is a source of absorbable calcium due to fortification, the efficiency of absorption isn't stated to be compromised by inhibitors like those explicitly mentioned for soy milk in the given reference.