Scientists from Xinhua University have confirmed that iron supplementation can improve the intelligence of children and adolescents. The research was published in the journal nutrients.
There is ample evidence that iron deficiency is closely associated with delayed brain development, poor school performance, and behavioral problems. However, it is unclear whether iron supplements can compensate for this deficiency or help improve mental performance.
The researchers conducted a review study that analyzed nine studies with 1196 participants from five countries. Iron did indeed have a positive effect on the intelligence of children and adolescents, and intelligence test scores increased with increasing iron doses. No significant effects were found on attention, short-term memory, long-term memory, or school performance.
Studies estimate that iron deficiency affects approximately 4% of children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years in high-income countries and 23% in low-middle-income countries.