Researchers in Bangladesh tested whether a special type of rice with added zinc helps children absorb more of this important mineral. They gave 47 young children three different types of rice meals and measured how much zinc their bodies actually used. The special zinc-enriched rice helped children get about 47% more of their daily zinc needs compared to regular rice. This is important because many children in countries where rice is the main food don’t get enough zinc, which they need for growth, fighting infections, and staying healthy.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does special rice with added zinc help children’s bodies absorb more zinc compared to regular rice or rice with zinc powder mixed in?
  • Who participated: 47 children between 3 and 5 years old from a community near Dhaka, Bangladesh. The children were divided into two groups and tested on different days.
  • Key finding: Children absorbed significantly more usable zinc from the special enriched rice (1.40 mg per day) compared to regular rice (1.13 mg per day). The special rice provided 47% of the daily zinc needs for younger children and 28% for older children, which was better than regular rice.
  • What it means for you: If you live in an area where rice is the main food and zinc deficiency is common, switching to zinc-enriched rice could be a simple way to help children get more of this essential mineral. However, this study was done in Bangladesh, so results may differ in other places.

The Research Details

This was a carefully designed study where each child ate three different types of rice meals on different days. The researchers used a special scientific method called isotope tracing, which involves giving children tiny amounts of zinc marked with special labels that the body can’t tell apart from regular zinc. By tracking these labeled zinc atoms, scientists could measure exactly how much zinc each child’s body actually absorbed from each type of rice.

The study compared three diets: regular rice with normal zinc levels, regular rice with added zinc powder mixed in, and special rice that was grown to have more zinc naturally built into it. Each child received 150 grams of rice (about a cup) divided into three meals throughout the day. The researchers measured how much zinc the children ate and how much their bodies actually used.

This research method is important because it shows the real difference between just eating more zinc and actually absorbing it into the body. Sometimes food can have lots of zinc, but the body can’t use it all. By measuring what the body actually absorbs, scientists can tell which foods are truly helpful for preventing zinc deficiency in children.

This study used advanced scientific techniques (isotope tracing) that are considered very reliable for measuring nutrient absorption. The study was small (47 children) but well-designed with each child serving as their own comparison. The research was registered with official government databases before it started, which is a sign of good scientific practice. However, because the study was done in Bangladesh with local rice varieties and local children, the results may not be exactly the same in other countries.

What the Results Show

The special zinc-enriched rice clearly helped children absorb more usable zinc. When children ate the enriched rice, their bodies absorbed an average of 1.40 milligrams of zinc per day. This was noticeably better than the 1.13 milligrams from regular rice. The difference was large enough that scientists were very confident it wasn’t just by chance.

Interestingly, when regular rice had zinc powder added to it (like a supplement), children only absorbed 1.04 milligrams of zinc per day. This was actually less than regular rice alone, suggesting that zinc added as a powder doesn’t work as well as zinc that’s naturally part of the rice grain.

The enriched rice provided nearly half (47%) of the daily zinc requirement for young children ages 1-3 years old, and 28% for older children ages 4-8. Regular rice only provided 37% and 23% respectively. This means enriched rice could be a meaningful part of preventing zinc deficiency in children who eat rice as their main food.

The study found that children’s bodies absorbed zinc differently depending on the source. The body’s absorption rate (called fractional absorption) was about 23% from regular rice, 17% from rice with added zinc powder, and 21% from enriched rice. This shows that the body is slightly pickier about absorbing zinc when it’s added as a powder compared to when it’s naturally in the rice.

Earlier studies had suggested that regular rice and enriched rice might provide similar amounts of usable zinc, but this new research shows that enriched rice actually does provide more zinc that the body can use. This finding is important because it supports using enriched rice as a real solution for zinc deficiency in countries where rice is the main food.

The study only included 47 children from one community in Bangladesh, so results might be different in other countries or with different types of rice. The study only measured zinc absorption over a few days, so we don’t know if the benefits continue over months or years. The children were all between 3-5 years old, so we can’t be sure these results apply to babies or older children. Additionally, the study was done in a research setting with controlled meals, which might be different from how families normally prepare and eat rice at home.

The Bottom Line

For families in rice-eating countries where zinc deficiency is a problem: Switching to zinc-enriched rice appears to be a practical and effective way to help children get more zinc (moderate confidence level). This is especially helpful because it requires no change in eating habits—just using a different type of rice. However, enriched rice should be part of a varied diet with other zinc sources like meat, beans, and dairy when possible (high confidence level).

This finding is most important for families in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa where rice is the main food and zinc deficiency is common in children. Parents and caregivers of young children (ages 1-8) should pay special attention. Public health programs in these regions should consider promoting enriched rice. This is less relevant for people in countries with diverse diets that already include many zinc sources.

Children would begin absorbing more zinc from enriched rice immediately with each meal. However, it typically takes several weeks to months of consistent better nutrition to see improvements in a child’s health, growth, and immune function. Parents shouldn’t expect overnight changes but should see gradual improvements over time.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily rice consumption type (regular vs. enriched) and measure weekly: child’s energy levels (1-10 scale), frequency of infections/illness, and appetite. Compare trends over 8-12 weeks.
  • Set a reminder to purchase zinc-enriched rice at the next grocery shopping trip. Start by replacing one bag of regular rice with enriched rice, then gradually transition the household’s rice supply. Track which family members eat the enriched rice and when.
  • Create a simple weekly checklist: Did we use enriched rice this week? How many meals included it? Note any observations about the child’s health (fewer colds, better growth, more energy). Compare months 1-3 with months 4-6 to see if patterns emerge.

This research shows that zinc-enriched rice may help children absorb more zinc, but it is not a substitute for medical treatment of diagnosed zinc deficiency. If you suspect your child has a zinc deficiency, consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. This study was conducted in Bangladesh with local rice varieties and populations; results may vary in other regions. Always consult with a pediatrician or nutritionist before making significant changes to your child’s diet, especially if your child has existing health conditions or takes medications.