What impact do milk minerals have on digestive health?

Digestive disorders are at the heart of public health concerns. In fact, almost 49% of women and 36.6% of men worldwide have the symptoms of at least one gastrointestinal disorder [1]. Among the promising approaches to treatment, milk minerals stand out for their ability to support digestive health. Well-known for their role in bone health, these minerals, particularly calcium, can play a role in the smooth functioning of the digestive system. Ingredients like Vitalarmor^® Ca M10 demonstrate the positive impact of milk minerals on digestion, helping to improve digestive well-being and reduce associated discomfort.

 Digestive disorders at the heart of health concerns

 From bloating to pathologies such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), celiac disease or Crohn's disease, digestive disorders are diverse and have negative impacts on quality of life. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, bleeding, regurgitation, weakness and malnutrition[2]^,[3].

 Yet 40% of the world's population suffers from chronic gastrointestinal problems[4], and the prevalence of digestive disorders - which stands at 38.4% [5] - has risen considerably, registering an increase of almost 68% between 1990 and 2019 [6]. This trend is accentuated by lifestyles unfavorable to our health, including a sedentary lifestyle, an unbalanced diet (low in fiber and high in carbohydrates), as well as stress and exposure to endocrine disruptors [7]^,[8]^,[9]^,[10].

It's important to develop solutions to this public health problem, and milk minerals are one of them.

 The importance of milk minerals for healthy digestion

 Cow's milk is composed of multiple minerals, including calcium, phosphorus and chloride, which may play a key role in maintaining good digestive health.

 Everything you need to know about milk minerals

The impact of calcium on the muscular function of the digestive system [11]

 Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the human body, is known for its key role in bone health. However, it is also essential for many biological functions, including muscle contraction, blood clotting and hormone release. In the digestive system, calcium helps to stimulate the contraction of the gastrointestinal tract, facilitating peristalsis.

The role of milk minerals in digestion and nutrient absorption

 Calcium appears to play a role in regulating gastric acidity. It stimulates gastric acid secretion, creating an optimal acidic environment for the functioning of digestive enzymes. This acidity may also help to eliminate bacteria present in food [12]. Calcium is also involved in the activation of several digestive enzymes, such as proteases and lipases. It therefore plays a role in breaking down food and absorbing nutrients, which can ultimately reduce digestive disorders such as bloating and heartburn^.11 These benefits are further corroborated by an EFSA-authorized claim: "Calcium contributes to the normal functioning of digestive enzymes " [13].

 After calcium, phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in the body. It is essential for bone mineralization, but also for the production of ATP, (adenosine triphosphate) the source of energy found in cells, and thus contributes to healthy digestive processes [14]. These properties are recognized by the EFSA, which has authorized the following two claims: "Phosphorus contributes to the maintenance of normal bone structure" and "Phosphorus contributes to normal energy metabolism "¹³.

Chloride, meanwhile, is essential for the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, promoting normal digestion. This role is also fulfilled by the claim authorized by EFSA: "Chloride contributes to normal digestion through the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach" ¹³. 

 Milk minerals and their contribution to the prevention of digestive disorders

 Milk minerals may also play a role in preventing digestive disorders. For example, calcium could be used to relieve stomach acid problems, and so could help those suffering from acid reflux[15].

In addition, research indicates that calcium may influence the composition of the intestinal microbiota, promoting the growth of bacteria beneficial to digestive health[16]. In the intestine, calcium appears to modulate fluid transport, improving absorption and reducing the excessive secretions typical of diarrhea ¹³.

 To find out about the other nutritional benefits of calcium

 At Armor Protéines, we offer Vitalarmor^® Ca M10 a mineral concentrate, rich in calcium and dairy phosphorus, ideal for incorporation into various food products such as drinks, yoghurts, dessert creams and cookies. It is essential at all ages, supporting bone construction in the young and old alike, as well as the normal functioning of digestive enzymes.

[1] World Gastroenterology Organisation, The Global Prevalence of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders - Results of the First Global Study

^[2] Vidal, difficult digestion, 2023

[3] MSD, Presentation of digestive symptoms, 2024

[4] UZ Leuven, 40% of the worldwide population suffers from chronic gastrointestinal problems, 2020

[5] Y. Wang, Global Burden of Digestive Diseases: A Systematic Analysis of the Global Burden of Diseases Study, 1990 to 2019, 2023

[6] Front Public Health, Global, regional and national burden of 10 digestive diseases in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019, 2023

[7] The Lancet Gastroenterology Hepatology, Tackling the burden of digestive disorders in Europe,

volume 8, number 2, p95, 2023

[8] S.Chaumont, A diet of lower nutritional quality is associated with more frequent digestive symptoms affecting the quality of life of French adults, 2021

[9] Inserm, How psychological stress causes digestive disorders, 2023

[10] Inserm, Endocrine disruptors, 2024

[11] Anses, Calcium: why and how should you consume it? , 2022

[12] P.Kirchhoff, Role of calcium and other trace elements in the gastrointestinal physiology, 2006

[13] EFSA, European Regulation (EC) n°1924/2006, 2006

[14] R.P.Bird, The emerging role of phosphorus in human health, 2021

[15] Vidal, Food supplements: calcium, 2016

[16] L.S.Yoon, Characterizing the Effects of Calcium and Prebiotic Fiber on Human Gut Microbiota Composition and Function Using a Randomized Crossover Design-A Feasibility Study, 2021