Biological evaluation of iron availability from pre-adolescent diets by using anaemic rats.

The bioavailability of iron from habitually consumed diet by pre-adolescent children of low socio-economic group and the diet supplemented with additional 8 g of protein supplied by 34 g legumes (Green gram and Moth bean 1:1) or 195 ml of buffalo's milk to per day diet was studied in anaemic rats using haemoglobin regeneration method. The bioavailability of iron for haemoglobin regeneration relative to FeSO4 was 69.5 percent from milk supplemented diet as compared to 47.5 percent from the diet normally consumed by pre-adolescent children of low socio-economic group while legume supplementation to the diet showed no improvement.