Macromineral and trace element concentrations in conventional and organic milk and plant-based beverages in the UK: implications for population intakes

This study compared the minerals concentrations of milk (conventional n = 20; organic n = 19) to almond (conventional n = 18; organic n = 7) and oat (conventional n = 19; organic n = 13) plant-based beverages (PBB). Milk contained more Ca, Mg, P, K, I and Zn than PBB and less Na than oat PBB. Minerals concentrations of conventional and organic milk did not differ but conventional PBBs contained more Ca, P and I than organic PBBs due to permitted fortification. Despite fortification in conventional PBBs, Ca and I concentrations were lower than in milk. No differences were found between conventional and organic PBBs in concentrations of minerals that are not fortified, Mg, K and Zn. Replacement of milk with fortified conventional and organic almond and oat PBB, without other dietary changes, could reduce intakes of Ca and I below recommended intakes in some demographics, and increase prevalence of insufficiency for Mg, K, and Zn.