🍪Why Hemoglobin and Pisbro Cookies Matter in Pregnancy
For years, the battle against anemia in pregnancy has relied heavily on traditional iron and folic acid supplements. But what if the solution to rising hemoglobin levels was as simple and satisfying as a cookie?
Enter Pisbro Cookies (Banana-Broccoli Cookies).
A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Nursing and Health confirms a breakthrough: these specially formulated, food-based cookies significantly improved mean hemoglobin levels among pregnant women with mild-to-moderate anemia. Designed as a culturally appropriate and low-cost intervention using locally available ingredients, Pisbro offers a palatable complement to standard antenatal care.
The result is a paradigm shift: turning an everyday snack into a potent, accessible therapeutic tool that can sustainably combat anemia, a major cause of maternal and fetal complications in low-resource settings. This innovation proves that delicious, localized nutrition can be the key to better maternal health.
Anemia affects approximately 37% of pregnant women globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes like fatigue, preterm birth, and maternal death. While iron-folic acid tablets are common, side effects and limited access to nutritious foods hinder their effectiveness.Â
Pisbro Cookies, developed in Indonesia, offer a food-based solution. These banana-broccoli cookies provide non-heme iron, folate, antioxidants, and vitamins that support hemoglobin formation, with vitamin C enhancing iron absorption. A study in Medan demonstrated that anemic pregnant women consuming five Pisbro Cookies daily for 30 days experienced a significant increase in hemoglobin compared to routine care alone.
Key Highlights
Evidence‑based snack
“The broccoli–banana combination in Pisbro was chosen for a reason: vitamin C from both ingredients boosts absorption of non‑heme iron, while folate and vitamin B6 support erythropoiesis, making these cookies more than just a snack.”
In a trial of 40 pregnant women with mild–moderate anemia, the Pisbro group’s mean hemoglobin increased from about 9.58 g/dL to 9.80 g/dL, while levels in the control group actually declined, with a statistically significant difference (p=0.019).​
Smart nutrient synergy
Pisbro Cookies combine broccoli and banana, leveraging vitamin C–enhanced absorption of plant‑based iron and providing folate and vitamin B6 to support red blood cell production.
“Anemia in pregnancy is still one of the most significant contributors to low birth weight, preterm delivery, and maternal morbidity—37% of pregnant women worldwide are anemic.”
Affordable and culturally adaptable
Using locally available ingredients, Pisbro Cookies can be produced at low cost and integrated into community health‑center programs and antenatal classes as a food‑based complement to standard iron–folic acid supplementation.​
