Iron and prebiotic fortified wheat flour and immune function in women
What it found
In iron deficient women of childbearing age, eating fortified wheat flour daily for three months was linked to lower levels of four antibodies compared with a control group.
The study was in people.
What they found
Studies in people
Antibody levels fell
Levels of IgA, IgE, IgG and IgM showed a statistically significant declining trend in the treatment groups compared with the control group.
Fortified flour and immunity
The authors say the iron and prebiotic fortified flour improved the immune function of the iron deficient women.
What the authors conclude
“The study concluded that provision of iron and prebiotic fortified flour improved the immune function of iron deficient women.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that providing iron and prebiotic fortified flour improved the immune function of iron deficient women.
How it was done
Micronutrient deficiencies are common worldwide and iron deficiency can harm nutritional status and raise the risk of other diseases by affecting immunity.
Seventy five iron deficient women were split at random into one control group and four treatment groups. They ate wheat flour fortified with different amounts of iron salts (FeSO 4 and NaFeEDTA) and prebiotics (galacto oligosaccharides and inulin) every day for three months, and gave blood samples monthly.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a small study in iron deficient women, so the results may not apply to other groups.
- The study lasted three months, so it cannot show what happens over longer periods.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pakistan; University Institute of Diet and Nutritional Sciences, Pakistan
The paper
- Title
- Iron and prebiotic fortified flour improves the immune function of iron deficient women of childbearing age
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Rizwan Ahmad AM, Ahmed W, Iqbal S, Mushtaq MH, Anis RA (2020). Iron and prebiotic fortified flour improves the immune function of iron deficient women of childbearing age. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences.PubMed 32122856
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error