Ascorbic acid from lime juice does not improve the iron status of iron-deficient women in rural Mexico.
BACKGROUND
Although ascorbic acid (AA) increases dietary iron bioavailability, there has been no food-based community trial of its efficacy in improving iron status.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to assess the efficacy of 25 mg AA as agua de limón (limeade), consumed with each of 2 daily meals, in improving the iron status of iron-deficient women.


METHODS
Two rural Mexican populations were randomly assigned to an AA or a placebo group, each with 18 iron-deficient women. The AA group was given 500 mL limeade containing 25 mg AA twice a day, 6 d/wk, for 8 mo. The placebo group was given a lime-flavored beverage free of AA or citric acid. Beverages were consumed within 30 min of 2 main daily meals. Data were collected on morbidity (3 times/wk), dietary intake (on 6 d), socioeconomic status, parasites (twice), medical history, and response to treatment. Blood samples at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mo were analyzed for hemoglobin, plasma AA, plasma ferritin, transferrin receptors, and C-reactive protein.


RESULTS
AA intake was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in the AA group, but nonheme iron, heme iron, and phytic acid intakes did not differ significantly. Plasma AA was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the AA group at 2, 4, 6, and 8 mo. There were no final differences between groups in hemoglobin, plasma ferritin, or transferrin receptor concentrations or in the ratio of transferrin receptors to plasma ferritin after control for initial concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing dietary AA by 25 mg at each of 2 meals/d did not improve iron status in iron-deficient women consuming diets high in phytate and nonheme iron.
Garcia
Olga P
OP
Departamento de Fisiología de Nutrición, Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City.
Diaz
Margarita
M
Rosado
Jorge L
JL
Allen
Lindsay H
LH
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002957:Citrus; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008800:Mexico; D009752:Nutritional Status; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin / Q000187:drug effects; D012424:Rural Population
D019266:Iron, Dietary; D011990:Receptors, Transferrin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid