Fortification
# Breakfast cereals and your immune system
Published: 05/03/2026
AuthorBy Nestlé Cereals
Reading time: 5 min.
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## Boost your immunity with whole grain cereals!
**A strong immune system is essential to good health**
You can help make your own immune system function well by eating a [balanced diet](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/nutrition/what-is-a-balanced-diet). Starting the day with a whole grain cereal from Nestlé is one way to help maintain a normal immune system. Many of the Nestlé [whole grain](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/nutrition/whole-grain-cereal) cereal products are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to help your immune system function properly.
## So what is your immune system and what does it do?
Immunity is a name we give to a collection of organs, proteins, and cells that all come together to keep invaders out of your body. These invaders can include germs such as bacteria and toxins from the environment.
## How to maintain a normal immune system?
You can help maintain a normal immune system by eating a good diet, providing key vitamins and minerals you need, such as Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, Vitamin C and iron. Scientists have found that the body’s immune response — how it reacts to the invaders — depends on having enough of these nutrients.
They help maintain your immune cells and power their function. Some cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals to help maintain your intake of these essential building blocks. If you combine these with getting enough sleep, doing plenty of exercise, and keeping your stress levels low, you’ll be on the way to maintaining a normal immune system.
## Fortified cereals to maintain a normal Immune System
B Vitamins are essential nutrients. It’s a group of vitamins essential to health, including thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6) and folic acid (B9).
B6 is key to your immune system. It works to make new red blood cells and moves oxygen to your cells. Most of your Nestlé Cereals favourites, including whole grain cereals such as [Cheerios®](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/brands/cheerios) and [Shreddies®](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/brands/shreddies), are fortified with B6 (as well as B2 and B9).
## That isn’t the end of the fortified cereals story.
Some Nestlé Cereals are a source of Vitamin D, including [Nesquik® cereals](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/brands/nesquik-cereal) and [Cheerios®](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/brands/cheerios). Vitamin D is involved in calcium uptake and use in the body. It’s essential for healthy bones, but it’s also crucial for the immune system.
You can also add some immunity-supporting toppers to your Nestlé fortified breakfast cereals. For instance, a bowl of [Shredded Wheat® Bitesize](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/brands/shredded-wheat/bitesize) can be combined with fruit and low-fat milk to make a delicious and healthy start to the day. You could even couple your [Multigrain Cheerios®](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/brands/cheerios/multigrain) with a handful of berries, nuts and milk.
Milk is a nutrient powerhouse, loaded with B vitamins, vitamin C and folate. And the right choice of fruit can give you a boost. Oranges and other citrus are packed with vitamin C, while you’ll also find it in blueberries, along with minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc.
[](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/nutrition/fortified-cereal)
## [Our fortified cereals – it’s all about defences!](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/nutrition/fortified-cereal)
The word ‘[fortification](https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/nutrition/fortified-cereal)’ 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?](/uk/nutrition/fortified-cereal)
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