Unripe Plantain Doesn’t Boost Iron In Babies’ Meals, Experts Debunk Popular Claim

Plantains are a major group of banana varieties (Musa spp. or Genus Musa) that are staple foods in many tropical areas. For years, many people in Nigeria and beyond have believed that unripe plantain is a rich source of iron, an essential mineral that plays a critical role in the production of red blood cells.

This notion has been perpetuated by some nursing mothers who add unripe plantain flour to soybeans for their babies intending to supply them with iron. However, a closer examination of the nutritional content of unripe plantain reveals a surprising truth: it is not the iron-rich food many think it is.

According to the African Journal of Biotechnology, the nutritional analysis of unripe plantain revealed that it contains 2.53 mg of iron per 100 g serving. This information is also supported by Blessing Kolawale’s article in Jeb Foods, which provided a detailed breakdown of unripe plantain, including its iron content and nutritional values, noting that the iron content in plantain is relatively low compared to other iron food sources, and it’s not a significant source of iron in the diet.

Furthermore, the iron present in unripe plantain is in the form of non-heme iron, which is not as easily absorbed by the body as the heme iron found in animal-based foods.
This means that even if unripe plantain did contain higher amounts of iron, the body may not be able to utilize it efficiently. Although it has vitamin C and B-6 that help the body absorb iron, it’s still not ideal to rely on it as a rich source of iron.

So, where did this misconception about unripe plantain’s iron content originate? Could this be one of the reasons the price is always on the high side? One possible explanation is the fact that plantains are a good source of other essential nutrients like potassium, vitamins A, C, B-6 and fibre. These nutrients are important for overall health, and the benefits of consuming unripe plantain may have been misattributed to its iron content.

A Uyo-based nutritionist, Adindu Godswill, in an interview with THE WHISTLER, noted that while unripe plantain is a nutritious food, it is not a significant source of iron.

He added that Nigerians should not rely solely on unripe plantain to meet their daily iron needs.

Godswill reiterated that calcium and other minerals in plantain help in the uptake of iron and increase the availability of iron, just like the nutrient-nutrient relationship, where one nutrient helps the other to be absorbed by the body.

He further advised that instead of relying on that mechanism to supply the need for iron in the body, which is very wrong, just go for foods that are rich in iron directly, such as legumes and animal proteins.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), iron deficiency is a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among women of childbearing age. WHO estimates that 71 per cent of children 6-59 months, non-pregnant women (15-49 years), 47.3 per cent, and pregnant women (57.5 per cent) are the prevalent population of anaemia in Nigeria. While more than 40 per cent are anaemic. This highlights the need for accurate information about iron-rich foods and the importance of consuming a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods.

Speaking further, Godswill adopted the idea of adding plantain flour to soybean for babies due to other nutritional benefits it has, which he said is very good for babies from six months old, as complementary food and not with the notion that it is an iron-rich food, for it is not a reliable source.

Also speaking to THE WHISTLER, another nutritionist, Uju Onuorah, stated that while unripe plantain is often believed to be a rich source of iron, it is a misconception.

She noted that scientific data show that unripe plantain contains only a small amount of iron, typically around 0.6–1.2 mg per 100 g, which is relatively low compared to iron-rich foods like organ meats, legumes, and leafy green vegetables.

“While plantain contains vitamin C, which can enhance iron absorption from plant-based sources, it is not a significant iron source,” she said.

Onuorah, however, did not condemn adding unripe plantain to pap or soybean but noted that its benefit comes from being a complex carbohydrate source, providing slow-releasing energy and some fibre, and not an iron-rich food.

“Plantain alone cannot meet the iron needs of infants, and relying on it as an iron source may increase the risk of iron deficiency anaemia,” she said.

To enhance the iron content of pap or soybean meals for babies, Onuorah urged nursing mothers to consider adding iron-rich foods like egg yolk, fish, meat, liver, dark leafy greens (in blended form), and fortified cereals.

She also urged parents to ensure that their children get vitamin C sources like orange juice, bell peppers, or tomatoes to improve iron absorption.

While adding that some commercially available complementary foods are fortified with iron, Onuorah advised that for personalized nutrition recommendations, it’s always important to consult with a registered dietitian nutritionist.

Unripe Plantain Doesn’t Boost Iron In Babies’ Meals, Experts Debunk Popular Claim is first published on The Whistler Newspaper