Possible Interaction: Phytate and Iron, Dietary

“Background: Phytate decreases iron and zinc bioavailability and contributes to deficiencies of iron and zinc, potentially causing anaemia, poor psychomotor development, impaired growth and increased risk of diarrhoea and respiratory infections.”

“BACKGROUND Weaning foods frequently contain phytate , an inhibitor of iron and zinc absorption, which may contribute to the high prevalence of iron and zinc deficiency seen in infancy.”

“The inhibition of Fe absorption was strongly related to the amount of phytate added; 2 mg inhibited absorption by 18%, (p less than 0.001), 25 mg by 64% (p less than 0.001), and 250 mg by 82% (p less than 0.001).”

“The marked inhibition of Fe absorption by phytates and the significant counteracting effect of ascorbic acid have wide nutritional implications.”

“All the nuts tested contained significant amounts of two known inhibitors of Fe absorption ( phytates and polyphenols) but the amounts in coconut were significantly less than in the other nuts.”

“Such observations are indicative of the presence of high levels of polyphenols and phytate that inhibit Fe absorption.”

“The recent literature contains … enhancing bioavailability of iron via enzyme‐… of phytate in wheat bran, increasing diacyl‐glycerol and conjugated linoleic acid levels by lipase action, enhancing the absorption of the … flavonoid hesperetin via rhamnosidase treatment, and obtaining solubilized dietary fiber via enzymatic modification of potato starch processing residues.”

“Common beans contain relatively high concentrations of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) but are also high in polyphenols and phytates , factors that may inhibit Fe and Zn absorption.”

“Because dietary fibers and some associated substances, such as phytate , have in vitro mineral-binding capacities, they have been thought to impair absorption of minerals such as calcium, iron and zinc, although magnesium absorption seems to be less affected.”

“ Phytates inhibit the absorption not only of iron but also of zinc.”

“Furthermore, phytate (IP6), a well-known antinutrient is present in concentration capable of hindering bioavailability of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and other micronutrients from the seeds.”