The effect of some beverage extracts on intestinal iron absorption

The effect of some beverage extracts namely anise, mint, caraway, cumin, tilia, liquorice, karkade and tea, on the absorption of iron was tested in tied-off intestinal segments of rats. The rate of intestinal iron absorption was calculated in terms of an absorption index. The tannin, phytic acid and ascorbic acid contents of these beverages were analysed. The results show that anise, mint, caraway, cumin, tilia, liquorice, arranged in decreasing order of their effect, promoted the absorption of iron. Karkade did not exert an appreciable effect while tea inhibited absorption. The results are discussed in relation to the content of these beverages of tannins, phytic or ascorbic acids. It is recommended to offer these beverages to children and also to adults as a preventive agent to iron deficiency anemia. Also can be used for the preparation of bioavailable medicinal iron.