Phosphorus is an essential dietary mineral found naturally in many foods and beverages such as milk, dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, beans and some fruits and vegetables. For example, an 8 fl oz glass of milk contains 247 mg of phosphorus while a 10 fl oz bottle of orange juice contains 50 mg. For perspective, the Reference Daily Intake (% DV) for phosphorus set by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is 1250 mg per day.
Why is there phosphorus in some juices and juice beverages?
Some fruits and vegetables - for example apples, oranges, beets and carrots - contain small amounts of naturally occurring phosphorus. Since the amounts of phosphorus are low, the juices and juice beverages we make from these fruits and vegetables may contain up to 10% of the Recommended Daily Intake amount (%DV) for phosphorus - and typically much less.
In addition, some juice beverages are made with ingredients that contain phosphorus. For example, Naked Juice's Protein line of juice beverages are made with whey and soy protein ingredients. Since these ingredients contain some phosphorus, the Protein line of juice beverages contains about 15% to 25% of the Reference Daily Intake (% DV) for phosphorus, depending on the flavor.
How does phosphorus affect bone health?
Science tells us that we need a balanced intake of calcium and phosphorus as well as other vitamins and minerals for optimum bone health. However, the small amounts of phosphorus in some juices and juice beverages are not adequate to meet your daily phosphorus needs.
For more information about balancing calcium and phosphorus for bone health you can download the Surgeon General's Report on Osteoporosis and Bone Health from the National Institutes of Health.
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Serving Size |
Phosphorus per serving (mg) |
|
---|---|---|
Yogurt, plain nonfat | 8 oz | 385 |
Fish - salmon, cooked | 3 oz | 252 |
Milk, skim | 8 fl oz | 247 |
Fish - halibut, cooked | 3 oz | 242 |
Lentils, cooked | 1/2 cup | 178 |
Beef, cooked | 3 oz | 173 |
Turkey, cooked | 3 oz | 173 |
Chicken, cooked | 3 oz | 155 |
Almonds | 1 oz | 134 |
Cheese, mozzarella (part skim) | 1 oz | 131 |
Eggs, cooked | 1 large | 104 |
Peanuts | 1 oz | 107 |
Bread, whole wheat | 1 slice | 57 |
Carbonated cola drink | 8 fl oz | 35 |
Bread, enriched white | 1 slice | 25 |
Source:
The Oregon State University Nutrition Information Center