Iron is a mineral, and an important component of hemoglobin that make up red blood cells. This substance helps carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. It also helps in the removal of carbon dioxide from the cells by transporting it to the lungs.
Iron-deficiency anemia is the main symptom that arise due to lack of iron in the human body. Statistics show that 63% of women aged between 15-49 are anemic in the Maldives. Consuming food that are rich in iron is an important step to ensure enough red blood cells in the body, says health experts.
Children also face anemia as a result of iron deficiency. 49.7% of children under the age of 5 are anemic in our island nation. Doctors encourage parents to provide healthy, iron-rich food for their children every day, to protect them from iron deficiency anemia.
Eating plenty of iron-rich foods is the best way to increase iron levels in the blood and prevent anemia. Some of the examples include;
- Green and leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collard greens)
- Meat (fish, chicken, beef)
- Dates
- Beetroot
- Watermelon
- Eggs
- Grains
- Dried fruits
Women who are trying to conceive or pregnant must pay attention to include these foods in their diet every day.
Information for this article was taken from Health Protection Agency (HPA).
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