Iron-fortified water: a new approach for reducing iron deficiency anemia in resource-constrained settings.

ABSTRACT: A new approach for fortification of drinking water is presented for combating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) worldwide. The idea is to leach Fe from a bed containing granular metallic iron (Fe⁰), primarily using ascorbic acid (AA). AA forms very stable and bioavailable complexes with ferrous iron (Fe^II). Calculated amounts of the Fe^II-AA solution can be added daily to the drinking water of households or day-care centers for children and adults (e.g. hospitals, kindergartens/schools, refugee camps) to cover the Fe needs of the populations. Granular Fe⁰ (e.g., sponge iron) in filters is regarded as a locally available Fe carrier in low-income settings, and, AA is also considered to be affordable in low-income countries. The primary idea of this conce

SUBMITTER: Noubactep C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10442336 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature