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Title: Modulating iron deficiency anemia through Date (Phoenix dactylifera) and Fig (Ficus carica) spread
Authors: Emaan Naveed, Saleha Hameed, Sana Azher Adeela Hameed
Journal: Pure and Applied Biology (PAB)
Publisher: Bolan Society for Pure and Applied Biology
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2023
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Language: English
Globally, the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency is increasing gradually especially iron deficiency and there is a requirement to improve hemoglobin status with the consumption of food commodities that are cheap and locally available. Iron is an essential constituent of hemoglobin, an erythrocyte protein that helps to transport oxygen in the body. The current research was designed with intent to improve iron deficiency anemia (IDA) with the consumption of date fruit, fig fruit and its combination to ameliorate IDA. The experimental study includes fifty students selected on the basis of exclusion and inclusion criteria. On the basis of exclusion criteria, a questionnaire was prepared and filled from the students and among those who fulfilled the criteria 50 subjects were selected on the basis of random samplings and divided into five different groups D0 (normal diet) D1 (normal diet with date spread) D2 (normal diet with fig spread) D3 (normal diet with date and fig spread) D4 (normal diet with iron supplement). Blood test containing hemoglobin, hematocrit and ferritin levels were observed before and after the intervention. The results explicated that the hemoglobin levels improve with the intervention and maximum was observed in D3 12.4±0.5 g/dL in comparison with control. The hematocrit and ferritin levels were also enhanced after the intervention with the maximal in date and fig spread. It was also observed that supplements also improve the hemoglobin levels with minor side effects i.e. abdominal pain, nausea and headache.  Conclusively, dates and figs alone and their combination are effective against IDA.
Keywords: Anemia; Ferritin; Hematocrit; Hemoglobin; Iron
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2023.120090
To investigate the therapeutic potential of figs (Ficus carica) and dates (Phoenix dactylifera) spread to overcome iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
An experimental study was conducted on 50 students aged 18-25 years. Participants were divided into five groups: normal diet (D0), normal diet with date spread (D1), normal diet with fig spread (D2), normal diet with date and fig spread (D3), and normal diet with iron supplement (D4). Blood tests were conducted before and after a 2-month intervention to measure hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ferritin levels.
graph TD
A[Subject Selection] --> B[Baseline Blood Tests];
B --> C[Intervention2 months];
C --> D[Post-Intervention Blood Tests];
D --> E[Data Analysis];
E --> F[Conclusion];
Dates and figs are rich sources of iron and vitamin C, which aids in iron absorption. The study suggests that regular intake of date and fig spread can increase iron stores and hemoglobin levels.
The hemoglobin levels improved with the intervention, with the maximum improvement observed in group D3 (date and fig spread). Hematocrit and ferritin levels were also enhanced after the intervention, with the maximal increase in the date and fig spread group.
Dates and figs, both individually and in combination, are effective in raising hemoglobin levels and improving iron stores to overcome anemia.
1. Pakistan prevalence of anemia in adolescent girls (10-19 years) was 54.7% (confirmed by UNICEF, 2018).
2. Dates contain vitamin C which improves iron absorption (supported by Mousavi et al., 2014).
3. Iron content in figs were reported as 5.69-10.09 mg/100g (supported by Khan et al., 2011).
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