Iron absorption from NaFeEDTA-fortified oat beverages with or without added vitamin C.
BACKGROUND
Food fortification is the best long-term approach for reducing the incidence of iron deficiency.


OBJECTIVE
To determine iron absorption from NaFeEDTA-fortified oat beverages without and with vitamin C.


METHODS
Iron absorption in 19 apparently healthy 6-year-old children was studied. Two oat beverages fortified with iron (labeled with stable isotopes of NaFeEDTA), zinc, and vitamin A, without and with vitamin C was consumed in two consecutive days in random order. Blood samples were taken 14 days later for stable isotope measurements.


RESULTS
The mean fractional iron absorption from the fortified oat beverage without vitamin C (5.65 ± 0.54%) was significantly lower than that from the beverage with vitamin C (7.14 ± 0.90%; p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Fortified oat beverages may offer a convenient and effective mechanism to improve the iron status of children. The addition of vitamin C improved iron absorption by an additional 1.5%.
Department of Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Research Institute , Bicutan , Philippines .
Trinidad P
TP
Trinidad
Anne C
AC
Kurilich
Aida C
AC
Mallillin
Thomas
T
Walcyzk
Rosario S
RS
Sagum
Nadia Nur
NN
Singh
Yashna
Y
Harjani
Marco P
MP
de Leon
Mario V
MV
Capanzana
John
J
Fletcher
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D018554:Avena / Q000737:chemistry*; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D062408:Breakfast; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000032:analysis; D057141:Food, Preserved / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007295:Inositol Phosphates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D007503:Iron Isotopes; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010679:Philippines; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism
D005290:Ferric Compounds; D007295:Inositol Phosphates; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D007503:Iron Isotopes; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D010833:Phytic Acid; D004492:Edetic Acid; D015032:Zinc; C019179:Fe(III)-EDTA; D001205:Ascorbic Acid