Iron absorption from ferrous gluconate in rice flour
What it found
In lab tests, iron from ferrous gluconate was absorbed better than iron from ferrous fumarate in rice flour.
A low phytic acid environment helped iron uptake more than a high phytic acid one.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Iron absorption comparison
In lab tests, the iron absorption rate of ferrous gluconate was 11.53% higher than ferrous fumarate in a low phytic acid system and 13.45% higher in a high phytic acid system.
Phytic acid effect
A low phytic acid environment was more conducive to iron uptake and utilization than a high phytic acid environment.
No difference in availability
There was no significant difference in the amount of iron available for absorption between ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate at both low and high phytic acid contents.
What the authors conclude
“In summary, the iron absorption rate of ferrous gluconate was higher than that of ferrous fumarate in the rice flour system.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that the iron absorption rate of ferrous gluconate was higher than that of ferrous fumarate in the rice flour system.
- They also state that a low phytic acid environment is more conducive to iron uptake and utilization.
- They suggest that ferrous gluconate can be used as an alternative source of iron in accessory foods for infants and young children.
How it was done
Iron deficiency can cause serious diseases in infants and young children, such as indigestion, anemia, and nervous system dysplasia. Eating high-iron rice flour can help prevent iron deficiency.
The researchers compared iron absorption from ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate in rice flour. They used a lab digestion model and Caco-2 cells, testing both low and high phytic acid systems.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This study used a lab digestion model and cells, not people. It cannot show how well iron is absorbed by infants or young children.
- The results are from a specific rice flour system and may not apply to other foods or diets.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Beijing Technology and Business University, China; Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, People's Republic of China
The paper
- Title
- The effect of iron absorption in ferrous gluconate form from enriched rice flour using an in vitro digestion model and a Caco-2 cell model
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Lin J, Liu C, Bai R, et al (2024). The effect of iron absorption in ferrous gluconate form from enriched rice flour using an in vitro digestion model and a Caco-2 cell model. Food & function. doi:10.1039/d4fo01441cPubMed 39109657DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error