Iron deficiency could be avoided by eating turkey, a health website has revealed.
This deficiency is known for causing pale skin, tiredness and shortness of breath, and the white meat in turkey is one of eleven foods which could boost iron levels.
“Turkey meat is a healthy and delicious food,” health website Healthline writes.
“It’s also a good source of iron – especially dark turkey meat. The meats high-protein content could also aid with weight loss.”
Data from the United States Department of Agriculture, however, suggested turkey contains just 1.1 milligrams of iron per each 100 gram serving.
This puts the meat far below other major diet sources of iron, such as liver.
The organ, responsible for making the body’s proteins, contains as much as 17.9 milligrams of the essential mineral.
This means it can deliver almost double the daily iron requirement for men, and just over the daily requirement for women.
Describing the function of iron, the NHS said: “Iron is important in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body”.
The NHS did not label turkey as a good iron source on its website, but said liver, meat and beans are good sources among others.
“The amount of iron you need is 8.7 milligrams a day for men over 18 and 14.8 milligrams a day for women aged 19 – 50,” they said online.
“You should be able to get all the iron you need from your daily diet.”
However, the healthcare provider added a warning for women who lose a lot of blood during periods.
“[These women] are at higher risk of iron deficiency anaemia and may need to take iron supplements,” they said.
Symptoms that someone hasn’t consumed enough iron include tiredness, pale skin, shortness of breath and noticeable heartbeats.
The condition can be diagnosed by a quick blood test with a GP.
Official advice, published on the NHS website added: “Once the reason you have anaemia has been found – for example, an ulcer or heavy periods – your GP will recommend treatment.
“If your blood test shows your red blood cell count is low you’ll be prescribed iron tablets to replace the iron that’s missing.
“If your diet is partly causing your iron deficiency anaemia, your GP will tell you what foods are rich in iron so you can eat more of them.”