Reducing prevalence of iron deficiency anemia by supplementation of meals with garden rocket and dates
2006
Abdel Rahman, R.Y., University of Bakht Er-Ruda, Ed-Dueim (Sudan) , Faculty of Education | Hassan, M.M., University of Bakht Er-Ruda, Ed-Dueim (Sudan) , Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources
This study was aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and measure the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among female students at the Un¬iversity of Bakht Er-Ruda. Also to study the effects of supplementing their meals with cheap and available foodstuffs such as garden rocket and dates that is rich in iron and vitamin C in correcting anemia. The effects of drinking red tea on iron mal-absorption was measured. To know the type of food taken in the student hostels, a questionnaire was randomly distributed in the year 2004 to 120 female students with age ranges from 18-25 years. The daily food taken as basic meals was found to be low in iron and vitamin C content. Hemoglobin studies showed that 41.6% of female students were anemic. Chemical analysis showed that garden rocket and dates were rich sources of both iron and vitamin C. Two groups with low hemoglobin levels were daily fed with 50 grams of both dates and garden rocket in addition to the basic meals with or without drinking tea for a period of three months. The average hem¬oglobin level for both groups was significantly higher than before feed¬ing. However, the increase in hemoglobin level in the second group was significantly (P 0.05 ) lower than that in the first group. These results indicated that university students living in hostels are subject to anemia and in need of food variety. Garden rocket and dates can be taken to correct iron deficiency anemia in people taking low-meat diets. Drinking red tea significantly decreased (P 0.05 ) hemoglobin level and might lead to anemia
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