Efficacy or Effectiveness of Zinc-Biofortified Staples in Improving Biomarkers of Zinc Status: A Systematic Review.
Prasenjit Mondal, Satyajit Kundu, Hai N Phung et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed randomized controlled trials of zinc-biofortified staple crops and biomarkers of zinc status. Seven studies met the eligibility criteria. Plasma zinc was largely unchanged: only one crossover study found an increase at the midpoint, which was no longer present at the endpoint. One study reported improved infection-related morbidity and another increased hair zinc. The review also identified methodological concerns, including failure to adjust plasma zinc for inflammation and insufficient consideration of zinc losses during cooking, habitual zinc intake, and bioavailability.
Key findings
- Of 20 full-text articles reviewed, 7 studies were included in the systematic review.
- Only one crossover study reported higher plasma zinc at the midpoint; the increase was absent at the endpoint.
- One study reported improvement in infection-related morbidity, and another reported increased hair zinc.
- The review identified methodological issues involving inflammation adjustment, cooking-related zinc loss, habitual intake, and bioavailability.
Why it matters
Biofortified staples are proposed as a sustainable way to address zinc deficiency, but the reviewed trials provide limited evidence of improvement in plasma zinc. The findings highlight the importance of measuring zinc status carefully and accounting for factors that may affect exposure or biomarker interpretation when evaluating nutrition interventions.
What to keep in mind
The review included only 7 studies, and the authors identified methodological limitations in the underlying studies, including inadequate adjustment for inflammation and limited consideration of cooking-related zinc loss and bioavailability.