Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #128454
Title: MOVING TOWARD A PLANT-BASED DIET: ARE IRON AND ZINC AT RISK?

Author
item Hunt, Janet

Submitted to: Nutrition Reviews
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2002
Publication Date: 5/1/2002
Citation: Hunt, J.R. 2002. Moving toward a plant-based diet: Are iron and zinc at risk? Nutrition Reviews. 60(5):127-134.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: With reduced intake of meat and increased intake of phytate- containing legumes and whole grains, movement toward plant- based diets reduces dietary iron and zinc absorption. Although vegetarians have lower iron stores, adverse health effects of lower iron and zinc absorption have not been demonstrated with varied, plant-based diets as consumed in developed countries. Improved assessment methods and monitoring are needed to detect and prevent possible iron and zinc deficiency with plant-based diets.