The human body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, a substance that helps red blood cells transport oxygen. Without enough iron, a person may feel tired and weak. Dietary sources of iron include plant sources, such as vegetables and beans, and animal foods, including poultry, red meat, and fish. However, plant and animal sources are not equal. The iron in plants, called nonheme iron, is not easily absorbed by the human digestive system. For example, a half cup of cooked spinach contains a healthy dose of over three milligrams of iron. Unfortunately, only five percent of that iron can be used by the body. On the other hand, the iron in animal foods, called heme iron, is better utilized. Heme iron is contained within a ring of protein, which helps the body to absorb it easily.
What is the main idea of the passage?
Questions
Answers
Answer:The human body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, a substance that helps red blood cells transport oxygen. Without enough iron, a person may feel tired and weak. Dietary sources of iron include plant sources, such as vegetables and beans, and animal foods, including poultry, red meat, and fish.
Explanation:
The main idea of the passage is to make the reader aware of the importance of nonheme iron.
The passage explains to the readers the importance of iron in the human body and the difference in absorption of the irons present in plants (nonheme iron) and animals (heme iron). The passage explains to the readers that the body needs iron to produce haemoglobin, which helps red blood cells transport oxygen, and that a lack of iron can cause tiredness and weakness. The passage then goes on to explain that although both plant and animal sources of iron are available, the iron in animal sources (nonheme iron) is better utilized by the body as iron is contained within a ring of protein.
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