The Effects of Beef Intake on Iron and Zinc Status in Adolescents: A Systematic Review
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Date
2024
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Publisher
King's College London
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Iron and zinc deficiencies are a prevalent issue among adolescents, with iron deficiency rates
ranging from 3.1% to 43% globally, depending on age and gender, and zinc deficiency
estimated at 17%, though data on adolescents is still scarce. Given that beef is a rich source of
both iron and zinc, inadequate beef consumption could adversely affect adolescents who are
deficient in these nutrients.
Aims: This systematic review aimed to review the current literature on the effects of beef intake
on iron and zinc status in adolescents using the PRISMA guidelines.
Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINHAL,
Scopus, EBSCO, and Web of Knowledge for randomized controlled
trials and observational studies including cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies.
Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2) for randomized
controlled trials and the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-
Sectional Studies.
Results: This systematic review included eleven studies, with only two assessing zinc status.
Most studies showed a significant association between beef/red meat intake and iron deficiency
and iron-deficiency anemia, particularly in lower socioeconomic groups. However, one study
found no relationship between meat intake frequency and iron status, while another suggested
that beef intake could increase the risk of anemia. The findings on zinc were not consistent,
with one RCT showing a significant decrease in zinc levels with beef consumption, while
another found no significant changes in zinc status.
Conclusion: The systematic review indicates that beef and red meat consumption may have a
protective role against iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in adolescents, though data
on zinc status is limited. This highlights the need for more research to understand the impact
of beef consumption on alleviating iron and zinc deficiency in adolescents.
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Keywords
"beef intake" or "beef consumption" or "red meat intake" or "red meat consumption" or "meat consumption" or "dietary beef" or "meat products" or "beef products" or "red meat products" or "meat intake" or "beef diet" or "red meat diet" or "beef" or "beef cattle" AND "iron status" or "iron levels" or "iron concentration" or "iron absorption" or "iron bioavailability" or "iron deficiency" or "iron deficiency anemia" or "iron deficiencies" or "iron metabolism disorders" or "iron stores" or "iron intake" or "serum iron" or "ferritin levels" or "zinc status" or "zinc levels" or "zinc concentration" or "zinc absorption" or "zinc bioavailability" or "zinc deficiency" or "zinc stores" or "serum zinc" or "iron" or "zinc" or "Zn" or "Fe" or "ferritin blood levels" or "iron storage" AND "adolescents" or "children" or "teenagers" or "teen" or "youth" or "adolescent population" or "adolescent age group" or "teenage group" or "young adults" or "adolescent health" or "puberty" or "young male" or "young female"