Carrots for calcium: Scientists predict that incorporating the carrot into diets could help prevent certain health-related calcium deficiency problems, such as osteoporosis Photo: Ashok HD

A genetically modified carrot has been developed that helps the absorption of calcium into the body.

Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife’s Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Centre, in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, modified carrots to express increased levels of a plant calcium transporter (sCAX1).  Study participants who ate the vegetable absorbed a greater amount of calcium than those consuming unmodified carrots.

Scientists predict that incorporating the carrot into diets could help prevent certain health-related calcium deficiency problems, such as osteoporosis.  Dr Jay Morris, post doctorate researcher at Baylor College of Medicine and lead author, explains the health motivations behind the study. “The primary goal was to increase the calcium in fruit and vegetables to benefit human health and nutrition," he says. "Fruit and vegetables are good for you for many reasons, but they have not been a good source of calcium in the past."

During the research, 15 male and 15 female participants were evaluated for their normal calcium absorption rate. They were then given either the modified carrots or regular carrots for a week, then two weeks later ate the alternative. Scientists collected urine samples 24 hours after each study to determine how much of the calcium was absorbed. Both men and women were found to absorb more calcium from the modified carrots, which Morris highlights as a positive step for health. "If you eat a serving of the modified carrot, you'd absorb 41% more calcium than from a regular carrot," he explains.

However, Dr Morris also cautions that the modified carrots alone would not provide the required daily intake of calcium. The body requires 1,000 mg daily to reach the necessary calcium requirement, with a 100 mg serving of the modified carrots providing 60 mg, only 42% of which is absorbable. “A person could not eat enough of them to get the daily requirement,” Dr Morris notes.

The health benefits of breeding a range of fruit and vegetables that contain more calcium may however hold future opportunities for research, particularly into benefits for bone-related health.  “We believe that if this technology is applied to a large number of different fruits and vegetables, that would have an even greater impact on preventing osteoporosis,” Dr Morris says.

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