# Our fortified cereals – it’s all about defences!
The word ‘fortification’ means ‘a defensive wall or other reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack’ – so what has that got to do with cereals? Well, when cereals are ‘fortified’, it means they contain added vitamins and minerals to help our body work well.
## Why fortify cereals?
Foods have been fortified since the 1920s, when extra nutrients were added to help make up for vitamins and minerals lacking in people’s diets. These days, if we have a balanced diet, it’s easier to reach recommended nutrient intakes, and your morning bowl of cereal can help your family get what they need. In fact, research shows that children and adults who eat fortified breakfast cereals are more likely to get the vitamins and minerals they need in a day.
## What’s in a box of fortified cereal?
Crunchy, yummy and made with whole grain, most Nestlé® breakfast cereals are fortified with 5 vitamins and 2 minerals, including riboflavin, niacin, B6, folic acid, pantothenic acid, iron and calcium. Take a look at the back of the box and you’ll find our wide range has plenty to offer from iron fortified cereals, to fortified cereals with calcium.
Take a look at the chart below to find out what they do for your body. Science/Years of research shows that:
## Essential vitamins and minerals:
![HELP RELEASE ENERGY [1], [2]](/my/sites/g/files/qirczx916/files/styles/1_1_768px_width/public/2023-03/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%2814%29.png.webp?itok=HzXO4pH1)
### Help release energy
\[1\], \[2\]
Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6).
### Contribute to a healthy skin
\[1\], \[2\]
Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3)
### Help the nervous system work properly
\[1\], \[3\]
Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pyridoxine (B6), Folate (B9), Calcium (Ca)
### Contribute to healthy blood
\[1\], \[2\], \[3\]
Pyridoxine (B6), Folic Acid (B9), Iron (Fe), Riboflavin (B2)
### Essential to normal cell division
\[1\], \[2\]
Folic Acid (B9), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe)
### FOR IMMUNE SYSTEM
\[2\], \[4\]
Pyridoxine (B6), Iron (Fe)
### Contribute to healthy bones and teeth
\[1\], \[2\], \[3\]
Calcium (Ca)
### HELP REDUCE FATIGUE/TIREDNESS
\[1\], \[2\]
Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), Iron (Fe), Folic Acid (B9)
### CONTRIBUTES TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
\[2\]
Folic Acid (B9), Iron (Fe)
[](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/my/my-en/blog/nutrition/cereal-serving-size)
## [Did you know?](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/my/my-en/blog/nutrition/cereal-serving-size)
Our Nestlé® fortified cereal typically provides at least 30% of the recommended Nutrient Reference Value (per 100g of the product) of each micronutrient listed in the Vitamins & Minerals table on the back of pack/on the pack. This means our fortified breakfast cereal can contribute towards helping your family meet the vitamins and minerals they need every day.
[SERVING SIZE](/my/my-en/blog/nutrition/cereal-serving-size)
## Footnote
Hannon E, Kiely M, Flynn A (2007) The impact of voluntary fortification of foods on micronutrient intakes in Irish adults. Br J Nutr. 97(06):1177-86. • INCA2 (2008) French National Dietary Survey. • Albertson AM, Thompson D, Franko DL, et al (2008) Consumption of breakfast cereal is associated with positive health outcomes: evidence from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study. Nutr Res. 28(11):744-52.
\[1\] Titchenal, A., Hara, S., Caacbay, N., A., Meinke-Lau, W., Yang, Y., Y., Revilla, M., K. ,. F., Draper, J., Langfelder, G., Gibby, C., Chun, C., N., & Calabrese, A. (2020). Human Nutrition (2020th ed.).
\[2\] Recommended Nutrient Intake, RNI (2017). Summary of Vitamins, Minerals & Trace Elements.
\[3\] National Institutes of Health, NIH (2022). Vitamin and Mineral Supplement Fact Sheets.
\[4\] Weiss, G. (2002). Iron and immunity: a double‐edged sword. European journal of clinical investigation, 32, 70-78.
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