Grape Syrup Improves Iron Deficiency Anemia Parameters in Women

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Grape syrup could significantly improve key blood parameters compared with placebo for iron deficiency anemia, suggesting its usefulness as a complementary therapy, according to the findings of a recent randomized clinical trial.¹

In particular, grape syrup significantly improved measures of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, red blood cell count, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). On the other hand, no significant difference was identified between grape syrup and placebo cohorts in serum iron, ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC).

“This study’s findings suggest that combining grape syrup with iron tablets might offer potential advantages over iron tablets alone in managing iron deficiency anemia,” wrote the investigative team, led by Fatemeh Emadi, Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Research Center, Shahed University.

Iron deficiency marks the most prevalent nutrition disorder globally – anemia disproportionately impacts women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and older adults. The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized iron deficiency anemia as a significant public health concern, owing to significant economic costs.

Although existing treatments, including iron supplementation, remain effective, critics have pointed to the concerning side effects associated with their use. In the current analysis, Emadi and colleagues explored the role of grape syrup, which boasts a rich nutritional profile, to modify hematologic markers of iron deficiency anemia in women.

The randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted between February 2020 and October 2022 and included 130 women aged 15–49 with diagnosed anemia. These women were separated into intervention (locally sourced grape syrup) or placebo cohorts. After dropouts, 80 participants completed the study, with 40 analyzed in each cohort.

Over a 4-week period, the intervention cohort received a 50 mg ferrous sulfate tablet daily, along with 10 cc of grape syrup three times daily, 1 hour before a meal. Those in the control cohort received a 50 mg ferrous sulfate tablet, alongside a 10 cc placebo syrup administered three times daily, 1 hour before meals.

The study’s primary outcome was the change in hemoglobin (Hb) over the 4-week intervention, with secondary outcomes comprising the change in other laboratory markers, vital signs, adverse effects, dropout rates, and quality of life.

After 4 weeks of intervention, both cohorts demonstrated significant improvement in key hematological markers. Those in the grape syrup cohort demonstrated significantly greater increases in both RBC (P = .003) and MCV (P = .002) values, compared with placebo.

Both Hb and hematocrit also exhibited a significantly higher increase in the grape syrup cohort, (P = .0001), indicating a more notable improvement versus placebo. However, Emadi and colleagues indicated a lack of significant differences between cohorts for other markers, including iron, ferritin, or TIBC, after the intervention (P >.05).

Quality of life scores did not significantly differ between cohorts are the intervention. However, the grape syrup cohorts demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in quality of life scores, indicating an overall positive impact. Each cohort reported mild gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, abdominal pain, and stomach discomfort, with a slightly higher incidence in those treated with placebo.

“Further research with larger sample sizes, longer follow-up period was suggested for exploring long-term efficacy and safety of grade syrup for iron deficiency anemia management,” Emadi and colleagues wrote.

Reference

1. _{Pourhakim R, Emadi F, Razavi Dizaji S, Talei D, Esmaeili Saber SS, Iranzadasl M. Evaluating the effect of grape syrup on iron deficiency anemia in women: A randomized clinical trial. Food Sci Nutr. 2024;12(8):5473-5479. Published 2024 May 6. doi:10.1002/fsn3.4185}
2. _{Cappellini MD, Musallam KM, Taher AT. Iron deficiency anaemia revisited. J Intern Med. 2020;287(2):153-170. doi:10.1111/joim.13004}
3. _{Newhall DA, Oliver R, Lugthart S. Anaemia: A disease or symptom. Neth J Med. 2020;78(3):104-110.}