All Greens are not rich in Iron

Food iron is available to the body in ferrous(free iron) form while it is present in food as ferric ion complex. Ferric converted into ferrous in the acidic media or in presence of reducing agent.




 This acidic can be provided either by adding lemon or any other fruit juice. Now, one may pose the question as to whether it is possible to gulp down lemon squeezed salad or fruit juice with each meal. Don't panic yourself! If you are having low haemoglobin, you have to adopt the habit of eating ample salad or soup or juice before eating main course. It may help you to say goodbye to doctors as well as to relieve your stomach (for those who get stomach upset on ingestion of iron tablets or syrup). Secondly, if you are on iron rich diet in main course, take away curd and eat it another time of the day. Greens are rich in iron but only iron does not ensure blood formation.

What forms haemoglobin?

Iron is important constituent of haemoglobin (haemo=iron and globin=protein) For the formation of blood, both iron and protein are needed in ample amount. Protein is present in all pulses, cereals, milk and milk products. Among non-veg foods, eggs and meat play important role in its supply. None of these is green but these contribute a lot in blood formation. 

Low iron intake and poor iron absorption in the body may also lead to anaemia. Bulky carbohydrates impair iron absorption from the diet. On the other hand, protein and vitamins facilitate its absorption. 

Some facts about iron containing diet:

1. All greens are not rich in iron. For ex. cabbage, ladyfinger, bottle guard, ash gourd and bitter gourd have lesser amount of iron.
2. Drumstick (kamal kakri in hindi) also known as lotus stem is not green but rich in iron.
3. Wheat and pulses also have sufficient iron in view of their ample consumption .\
4. Jaggery is also very rich in iron.
5. For non vegetarians, egg yolk and liver (rich in vitamin B12) facilitates its absorption