Iron-rich bananas could save women’s lives

Scientists will be developing new strains of bananas to address iron-deficiency, a major cause of maternal death during childbirth.

Bananas are an important source of nutrition in India, where iron-deficiency anaemia is common due to vegetarianism.

The Indian government yesterday signed an agreement with Australian scientists investing in the development of iron-rich bananas to release to Indian farmers. The Queensland University of Technology scientists are currently working to increase nutrients in bananas for Uganda.