Importance of Ascorbic Acid in the Absorption of Iron from Infant Foods

The absorption of fortification iron from an infant milk formula and from 3 infant cereals was studied in 121 multiparous women. The mean absorption was less than 3.2% when no added ascorbic acid was present. The nature of the iron compound added to infant cereals did not seem to influence the amount absorbed. Absorption was significantly improved when ascorbic acid was added, the mean increase being threefold with an iron:ascorbic ratio of 1:1.5 molar and more than sixfold with a ratio of 1:3 molar (about 10 mg ascorbic acid per mg iron).