Iron Bioavailability From Cereal-based Foods

Iron-deficient anemia is a chronic problem in sub-Saharan Africa and other developing areas of the world. From our previous research, the investigators have shown that certain local plant foods in Kenya and Senegal have an unusual action of improving in vitro iron bioaccessibility (nearly doubling the low value obtained in cereals). The investigators will assess absorption of stable isotopes of iron (57Fe, 54Fe and 58Fe) extrinsically labeled in a serving of porridge fortified with various combinations of moringa, baobab, mango, carrot and standard fortificant iron sulfate and the enhancer ascorbic acid.