LAUSR

ABSTRACT Cereals are a staple food in both developed and developing countries, and are considered to be the best vehicle for iron and calcium fortification, as an important strategy for combating dietary deficits. Inadequate dietary intake of iron and calcium is related to a number of disease conditions such as anemia, osteoporosis, hypertension, and different cancers. From a nutritional point of view, it is interesting to know not only the amount of minerals consumed, but also their bioavailability. The present study reviews the current knowledge on the in vitro bioavailability of iron and calcium in cereals, placing emphasis on the methodologies used and on the influence of dietary factors and food processing.