effect of adding lemon juice or mint to tea or fenugreek on iron absorption

ABSTRACT

The effect of each of tea and fenugreek beverages on intestinal iron absorption was tested on rats. Absorption tests were done in tied off intestinal segments in vivo. The tied off segments included the duodenum and the front part of jejunum. The effect of addition of lemon juice or mint to these beverages were also tested. The results show that tea and fenugreek hinder the absorption of iron. Addition of lemon juice to tea beverage slightly improved the absorption of iron. Lemon juice appreciably promoted the absorption of iron from fenugreek. Mint did not improve absorption of iron from tea. It is recommended to add lemon juice to tea or fenugreek beverage to minimize the hindering action of these two beverages on absorption of iron