Objectives

To determine the effect of quinoa extract consumption on iron deficiency-induced anemia in mice.

Materials and Methods

Thirty male M. musculus albino mice of the Balb/c strain, with an average weight of 24±32.7 g, were used. Three groups of ten mice each were formed: 1) a negative control group of iron-sufficient (IS) mice that received 40g/d of balanced feed for 7 weeks; 2) a positive control group of iron-deficient (ID) mice that received 40g/d of feed rich in iron for 7 weeks; and 3) an experimental group of ID mice that received 40 g/d of feed rich in iron for 7 weeks and 20 g/d of quinoa extract (QE) from week 5. Hemoglobin levels were measured.

Results

At the end of the treatment, a significant difference was found in hemoglobin levels between the positive (ID mice: 8.9±1.1 g/dL) and experimental (ID+QU mice: 11.4±0.5 g/dL) groups (student's t, p<0.05). No significant difference was found in hemoglobin levels at the end of the induction period between the positive (IS mice: 9.1±1.1) and experimental (ID mice: 9.3±0.7) groups (student's t, p>0.05).

Conclusions

Under experimental conditions, quinoa has an antianemic effect based on the results of hemoglobin levels.