An equilibrium solution, such as a beverage product, containing a calcium salt of a sequestrant (such as calcium hexametaphosphate), coordinated compound of a calcium sequestrant and a sequestrant allows the delivery of bio-available calcium while maintaining the preservative qualities of the sequestrant (such as sodium hexametaphosphate). In one embodiment, the reaction of a salt such as calcium hydroxide and a sequestrant such as sodium potassium hexametaphosphate (sodium potassium polyphosphate) yields such an equilibrium solution in a beverage matrix. Calcium hexametaphosphate having a relatively short phosphate chain is disclosed, as well as the method of making that material, and beverage compositions containing the material together with a sequestrant preservative, such as SHMP.
