Folic acid fortification has significantly reduced neural tube defects (NTDs) in the U.S., but the rise of low-carbohydrate diets raises concerns about adequate folic acid intake among women avoiding fortified foods.
Fortification/enrichment
Grain Foods Are Contributors of Nutrient Density for American Adults and Help Close Nutrient Recommendation Gaps: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2009–2012 (August 2017)
This analysis examined the role of grain foods in providing energy and nutrients for U.S. adults using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009–2012). Grain foods were analyzed for their contributions to both total energy and shortfall nutrients identified by the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), including dietary fiber, folate, iron, and magnesium.
Several grain dietary patterns are associated with better diet quality and improved shortfall nutrient intakes in US children and adolescents: a study focusing on the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (February 2017)
This study examined grain consumption patterns among U.S. children and adolescents (ages 2–18, N = 8,367) and their association with diet quality and intake of shortfall nutrients identified in the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Eight grain food patterns were analyzed using NHANES 2005–2010 data.
Certain Grain Foods Can Be Meaningful Contributors to Nutrient Density in the Diets of U.S. Children and Adolescents: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2009–2012 (February 2017)
This analysis evaluated the role of grain foods in the diets of children and adolescents using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2009–2012. The analysis focused on the contribution of grain foods to energy and key nutrients for participants aged 2–18 years (N = 6109).
CIMMYT Series on Carbohydrates, Wheat, Grains, and Health: Part 2Grain Terminology and Nutritional Contributions (December 2015)
This second installment in the CIMMYT series focuses on the nutritional contributions of grain- and wheat-based staples, highlighting their role in balanced diets. It defines key grain-related terms, dietary fiber, and resistant starch to clarify consumer confusion across countries.
Anaemia prevalence may be reduced among countries that fortify flour (July 2015)
This study evaluated national-level data to determine whether fortifying wheat and maize flour with nutrients like iron, folic acid, vitamin A, or vitamin B12 reduced anaemia prevalence among non-pregnant women. Data were sourced from Demographic and Health Survey reports, the WHO Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System database, and other national nutrition surveys from countries with at least two anaemia assessments.
