Do any drinks have vitamin D? Here's what you need to know

January 6, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the NIH, very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, which is why food manufacturers began fortifying certain products to help boost the population's intake. So, do any drinks have vitamin D? The short answer is yes, though it is almost always due to fortification, not a natural presence.

Quick Summary

Several beverages, including dairy milk, plant-based milks, and orange juice, are fortified with vitamin D. Most drinks do not naturally contain this nutrient, so checking product labels for added vitamin D is essential for consumers.

Key Points

Fortification is Key: Most drinks with vitamin D are fortified, meaning the nutrient was added by manufacturers, rather than occurring naturally.
Check the Label: Always read the nutrition label to confirm if a drink is fortified with vitamin D and to check the exact amount per serving.
Common Fortified Drinks: Common fortified beverages include dairy milk, plant-based milks (soy, almond, oat), and some brands of orange juice.
Vegan Options Exist: Vegans and those with lactose intolerance can rely on fortified plant-based milk alternatives to get vitamin D.
Vitamin D is Crucial: Adequate vitamin D intake is important for bone health and proper calcium absorption.
Sunlight Alternative: Fortified drinks provide a convenient dietary source of vitamin D for those who get limited sun exposure.

Why Are Drinks Fortified With Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin crucial for calcium absorption and maintaining healthy bones. A deficiency can lead to bone pain and muscle weakness. While our bodies produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, many people have limited sun exposure due to factors like geography, lifestyle, and skin pigmentation. This widespread issue, sometimes referred to as a "vitamin D deficiency pandemic," has made fortified foods and beverages a critical dietary strategy for meeting nutritional needs.

The fortification of common beverages is a public health initiative designed to provide a more accessible and consistent source of this essential nutrient. By adding vitamin D to popular drinks like milk and orange juice, manufacturers can help the general population, including those at higher risk of deficiency, maintain adequate levels.

Milk: A Classic Fortified Drink

Milk is perhaps the most well-known fortified drink. In many countries, particularly the United States, almost all of the cow's milk supply is voluntarily fortified with vitamin D. This practice, which began in the 1930s to combat rickets, has been highly successful. The fortification process adds a consistent amount of vitamin D to each serving, helping to ensure consumers can reliably meet their daily nutritional targets. For example, a cup of 1% low-fat milk contains about 117 IU of vitamin D. It's important to remember that fat-soluble vitamins, including A, D, E, and K, are naturally present in milk's fat content. Therefore, when fat is removed, these vitamins are reduced, making fortification especially critical for low-fat and fat-free versions.

Plant-Based Milks: Vegan-Friendly Options

For those who follow a vegan diet or have lactose intolerance, plant-based milk alternatives are often fortified with vitamin D to match the nutritional profile of dairy milk.

Here are some common examples:

Soy Milk: A popular alternative, soy milk is frequently fortified to provide a significant amount of vitamin D per cup. It’s a great option for those seeking a plant-based source with a robust nutritional profile.
Almond Milk: Many brands of almond milk are fortified with vitamin D and calcium, providing a lighter-tasting alternative to dairy. Always check the nutrition label, as fortification levels can vary between brands.
Oat Milk: As another widely available dairy alternative, oat milk is also commonly fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients.
Rice Milk: Some rice milk products are fortified, offering another option for those with specific dietary needs or preferences.

Fortified Juices and Other Beverages

Beyond milks, several other beverages are fortified with vitamin D, providing additional options for increasing your intake.

Orange Juice: Certain brands of orange juice are fortified with vitamin D and calcium, making them an excellent source for non-dairy drinkers. Studies have shown that fortified orange juice is as effective as oral supplements in maintaining vitamin D status in adults.
Nutritional Shakes: Many nutritional supplement drinks are formulated with a blend of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, to help meet daily requirements.
Yogurt-Based Drinks: Some yogurt-based beverages, like lassi or drinkable yogurts, contain vitamin D. Like solid yogurt, these are often fortified to boost the nutritional content.

Fortified vs. Natural Sources of Vitamin D in Beverages

To understand your options, it is helpful to compare different types of beverages and their vitamin D content. This comparison highlights why checking the nutrition label for the word "fortified" is so important.


Beverage Type	Source of Vitamin D	Typical Vitamin D (IU per cup)	Notes
Dairy Milk	Fortified	~115–125 IU	Fortification is widespread and often mandatory in some countries.
Soy Milk	Fortified	~100–144 IU	An excellent plant-based alternative with reliable fortification.
Almond Milk	Fortified	~107 IU	A lower-calorie, often fortified, non-dairy option.
Orange Juice	Fortified	~100 IU	Look for varieties explicitly labeled as fortified with vitamin D and calcium.
Nutritional Shakes	Fortified	Varies widely by brand	Designed as a dietary supplement; check the label for specific amounts.
Water	None	0 IU	Water does not naturally contain vitamin D.
Tea (unfortified)	None	0 IU	Unless specifically fortified, tea offers no vitamin D.

Reading the Label for Fortified Drinks

Because the presence of vitamin D in drinks is primarily due to fortification, reading product labels is the only way to be certain of its content. Look for clear labeling such as "Fortified with Vitamin D" or check the nutrition facts panel for the specific amount in International Units (IU) or micrograms (mcg) per serving. This practice is especially important for plant-based milks, where fortification levels and added ingredients can differ significantly among brands. Be mindful that some fortified juices can also be high in added sugars, so choosing a low-sugar option is often recommended.

Conclusion

While very few drinks naturally contain vitamin D, a variety of popular beverages are routinely fortified to help consumers meet their daily intake requirements. Options like cow's milk, soy milk, almond milk, and orange juice can be effective dietary sources of this crucial nutrient, especially for those with limited sun exposure. By carefully checking nutrition labels and choosing fortified options, you can easily incorporate more vitamin D into your diet to support bone health and overall wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all milk products contain vitamin D. While most cow's milk in the U.S. is fortified, other dairy products like cheese and ice cream are usually not. Always check the label.

Yes, studies have shown that vitamin D from fortified beverages like milk and orange juice is well-absorbed and effective at increasing serum vitamin D levels, similar to supplements.

The amount of vitamin D varies by brand and type, but many fortified plant-based milks (like soy and almond) contain a comparable amount of vitamin D to fortified cow's milk.

It is possible to get a significant amount of your daily vitamin D from fortified drinks, but it may not be sufficient for everyone, especially those with severe deficiencies. A balanced approach combining diet, sunlight, and supplements (if necessary) is often best.

No, orange juice and other fruit juices do not naturally contain vitamin D. The vitamin D content in juice comes from the manufacturer adding it during processing.

Fortification policies differ significantly by country. In the U.S., milk fortification is voluntary but widespread, while some countries have different regulations or no policies at all.

For most people, consuming fortified drinks is safe and beneficial. However, it's wise to be mindful of added sugars in some products, like certain fortified orange juices. Moderation is key, just as with any dietary source.