Availability to Rats of Iron from Spinach: Effects of Oxalic Acid

Abstract
The availability to rats of iron from two varieties of spinach was determined. Also, the absorption of Fe was compared between FeCl3 and Feoxalate and the effects of adding 0.75% oxalate to the diet were determined. Absorption of iron from both varieties of spinach was comparable to that from FeCl3 and the iron was equally available from Fe-oxalate and FeCl3. The addition of 0.75% oxalic acid to the diet did not depress iron absorption and, if anything, appeared to enhance iron utilization by rats.