Bob's physician has just diagnosed him with iron-deficiency anemia.Which of the following advice should Bob follow to increase his body's absorption of dietary iron?
A) He should have a glass of red wine with his dinner.
B) He should drink a glass of orange juice with his breakfast cereal.
C) He should increase his consumption of legumes and whole grains.
D) He should avoid cooking his foods in cast-iron pans.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Vitamin C enhances the absorption of dietary iron, and orange juice is a good source of vitamin C. Therefore, drinking a glass of orange juice with Bob's breakfast cereal would be the best choice to increase his body's absorption of dietary iron. Red wine may contain some iron, but it is not a reliable source and excessive alcohol intake can actually interfere with iron absorption. While legumes and whole grains are good sources of iron, they also contain phytic acid which can hinder iron absorption. Avoiding cooking in cast-iron pans is also not necessary, and may actually increase iron intake if the food cooked in them is acidic (as the iron leaches into the food).

Bob's Physician Has Just Diagnosed Him with Iron-Deficiency Anemia