What is a common nutrient added to fortified foods?

Fortified foods are those that have had nutrients added to them to enhance their nutritional value. Vitamins and minerals are commonly added because they play crucial roles in various bodily functions. For instance, calcium and vitamin D are often added to dairy products to support bone health, while iron is commonly added to cereals to help prevent anemia.

Adding vitamins and minerals helps to address nutrient deficiencies in the population and improves overall dietary intake. The practice of fortification can assist individuals who may not get sufficient amounts of these nutrients from their regular diet.

While fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids have health benefits and can be found in certain fortified products, they are not as universally added as vitamins and minerals, which are more standardized in the fortification process across a wide range of food products.