An investigation of the effect of an iron fortified breakfast cereal and kiwifruit on iron status in young women with depleted iron stores

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Iron deficiency is relatively common in young women. Dietary intervention is recommended as the first treatment for mild iron deficiency. Dietary intervention can include a diet high in iron and also eating foods that enhance iron absorption such as foods containing vitamin C and carotenoids. Iron absoriton from a breakfast cereal which is fortified with iron is likely to be enhanced if consumed with kiwifruit as kiwifruit is a rich source of vitamin C and carotenoids. The aim of this study is to investigate whether consuming kiwifruit with a breakfast cereal fortified with iron improves iron status in iron deficient women, compared with the consumption of an iron fortified cereal and a banana (which is low in vitamin C and carotenoids).