The Effect of Iron and Zinc Fortified Chickpea Energy Bars on Working Memory of Pre-Adolescents

Author(s) : Hira Iftikhar, Maheen Fatima, Beenish Israr, Alvina Haseeb, Imran Pasha, Hafiz Bilal Murtaza

Digital object identifier:

doi.org/10.52587/JAF040102

Abstract:

The aims of this study were to develop iron and zinc fortified chickpea energy bars and check their effect on cognitive development specifically working memory of the Pre-adolescent. We conducted analysis in twenty-four students from the private school of Faisalabad (Pakistan). Warises’re subtests such as arithmetic, digit-span and coding were checked through Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R) were done. The evaluation of serum iron and zinc level of the children before and after the trial confirmed that the fortification induced a 3.31% increase in the serum iron level followed by 2.25% increase in the serum zinc level of school going children. There was an increase of 3.50 in the mean squares of the working memory index after the administration of fortified chickpea bars. This accentuates that fortification improved specific cognitive abilities among children including working memory. The fortification of chickpea is likely source of vitamins and minerals. Chickpeas enhance the iron absorption in the body by making it more bioavailable. This study concludes that chickpea fortification with iron and zinc can serve as an economical and healthy approach in combating learning difficulties and cognitive problems that school-going children undergo.