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The effects of sugar-beet fibre and wheat bran on iron and zinc absorption in rats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Susan J. Fairweather-Tait
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Food Research, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UA
A. J. A. Wright
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Food Research, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UA
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Abstract

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The addition of 1 g sugar-beet fibre (Beta Fibre) to 3 g semi-synthetic diet resulted in a 54% increase in iron and a 39% increase in zinc absorption in rats. The same amount of non-starch polysaccharides fed as wheat bran (1.9 g) had no effect on Fe absorption but reduced Zn absorption by 9%. The inhibitory effect of wheat bran is probably due to its high phytate content, but there is, as yet, no explanation for the enhancement of Fe and Zn absorption caused by Beta Fibre. If the effect also occurs in man, it will have important implications for high-fibre diets and mineral nutrition.

Type
Minerals: Absorption and Bioavailability
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1990

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