Super maize? study checks if biofortified corn boosts nutrient absorption in guatemalan children
NCT ID NCT06650397
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether biofortified maize—corn grown to have higher zinc and iron—helps school-aged children in Guatemala absorb more of these nutrients compared to traditional maize. Fifty-six children aged 10-14 ate tortillas made from either biofortified or regular maize for 27 days. Researchers used stable isotopes to measure how much zinc and iron their bodies actually absorbed.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- biofortified maize
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that biofortified maize is a better source of zinc and iron than traditional maize, potentially helping reduce nutrient deficiencies in regions where maize is a staple food.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with only 56 children in a specific region, so results may not apply broadly. It measures absorption, not long-term health outcomes, so real-world benefits are uncertain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for IRON ABSORPTION are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama
Guatemala City, Departamento de Guatemala, 1188, Guatemala
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could a natural compound in food help tame iron overload?
- Can a hormone boost iron levels in soldiers?
- Bug crackers: a tasty way to boost Kids' health?
- Can we fix iron in food for starving kids?
- Iron intake guidelines may be outdated – new study aims to fix that
- Plant-Derived heme iron: a new way to fight iron deficiency?