Micronutrient Beverage Improves Girls’ Health

TORONTO—A study coordinated out of the University of Toronto and The Research Institute of the Hospital for Sick Children, found multiple-micronutrient-fortified beverage could reduce anemia and improve micronutrient status in adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh. Working with the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, Dhaka, and Procter & Gamble Co., researchers enrolled 1,125 girls in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial; girls received a fortified or nonfortified beverage six days a week for 12 months. Concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin, retinol, zinc and C-reactive protein were assessed at baseline, six months and 12 months, as were weight and height. After only six months, girls taking the fortified beverage had greater Hb and ferritin levels, and gained weight. Adolescents in the nonfortified beverage group were more likely to suffer from anemia, iron deficiency and low serum retinol concentrations.

The study appeared in the Journal of Nutrition (2007;137:2147-53).

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