Anaemia does not mean a loss of blood. It occurs when the amount of haemoglobin in the red blood cells falls. Normally blood contains 14 to 16 grams of haemoglobin per decilitre. If the level falls below normal, the deficiency is called anaemia.

Fatigue or weakness is the first sign of anaemia. Shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, cold hands and feet, pale skin and chest pain are also symptoms. If any of these appear, the haemoglobin level should be tested. If it is lower than normal, the diet needs to change. To overcome anaemia, eat iron-rich foods such as fish, meat, liver, spinach, beetroot and peas.

Beetroot juice: doctors often advise people with low haemoglobin to drink beetroot juice. It contains folate, manganese, potassium, iron, betaine, vitamin C and other nutrients. Drinking beetroot juice flushes toxic substances out of the liver.

Spinach and mint juice: leafy greens are the best remedy for anaemia. Besides iron, they contain nutrients such as vitamin B12 and folic acid. Half a cup of spinach contains about 35 per cent iron and 33 per cent folic acid. You can also mix two spoons of honey into a glass of spinach juice and drink it once a day.

Pomegranate juice: pomegranate, or bedana, juice is one of the key remedies for anaemia. Mix a quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and two teaspoons of honey into a cup of pomegranate juice and take it every day with breakfast. Another option is to mix two spoons of dried pomegranate seed powder into a glass of warm milk and drink it once or twice a day.

Mixed vegetable juice: a mixed vegetable soup combines different vegetables and provides plenty of vitamins, minerals, iron, vitamin C and fibre. This iron-rich juice is also very tasty to drink.

Source: Bangladesh Pratidin. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.