Improving iron absorption from a Peruvian school breakfast meal by adding ascorbic acid or Na2EDTA

Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Feb;73(2):283-7. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/73.2.283.

Abstract

Background: Iron-fortified school breakfasts have been introduced in Peru to combat childhood iron deficiency.

Objective: We evaluated whether iron absorption from a school breakfast meal was improved by increasing the ascorbic acid content or by adding an alternative enhancer of iron absorption, Na2EDTA.

Design: In a crossover design, iron absorption from test meals was evaluated by erythrocyte incorporation of 58Fe and 57Fe. The test meals (wheat bread and a drink containing cereal, milk, and soy) contained 14 mg added Fe (as ferrous sulfate) including 2.0-2.6 mg 58Fe or 4.0-7.0 mg 57Fe.

Results: Geometric mean iron absorption increased significantly from 5.1% to 8.2% after the molar ratio of ascorbic acid to fortification iron was increased from 0.6:1 to 1.6:1 (P < 0.01; n = 9). Geometric mean iron absorption increased significantly from 2.9% to 3.8%, from 2.2% to 3.5%, and from 2.4% to 3.7% after addition of Na2EDTA at molar ratios relative to fortification iron of 0.3:1, 0.7:1, and 1:1, respectively, compared with test meals containing no added enhancers (P < 0.01; n = 10 for all). Iron absorption after addition of ascorbic acid (molar ratio 0.6:1) was not significantly different from that after addition of Na2EDTA (molar ratio 0.7:1).

Conclusions: Ascorbic acid and Na2EDTA did not differ significantly in their enhancing effects on iron absorption at molar ratios of 0.6:1 to 0.7:1 relative to fortification iron. Additional ascorbic acid (molar ratio 1.6:1) increased iron absorption significantly. Increasing the molar ratio of Na2EDTA to fortification iron from 0.3:1 to 1:1 had no effect on iron absorption.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / diet therapy*
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / epidemiology
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / prevention & control
  • Ascorbic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
  • Biological Availability
  • Child
  • Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Edetic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Edetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Food Additives
  • Food, Fortified / analysis
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Absorption / drug effects*
  • Iron, Dietary / administration & dosage
  • Iron, Dietary / pharmacokinetics*
  • Isotope Labeling
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Peru

Substances

  • Food Additives
  • Iron, Dietary
  • Edetic Acid
  • Ascorbic Acid