India, April 28 -- A naemia is one of the biggest nutritional deficiencies that we face as a country, with 3 out of 4 women having low dietary iron intake. Fatigue, weakness, irritability, hair loss, menstrual discomfort, and dull skin are some of the common symptoms. While most people consider taking supplements to boost iron levels, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar (see pic right), who has worked with stars like Kareena Kapoor Khan, in an Instagram post, shared tips to improve iron and haemoglobin levels naturally. She mentioned that mangoes are naturally rich in vitamin C and can help boost iron levels. Guava, Peru, and Cashew fruits are also some of the rich fruits one can consume for a vitamin C boost. When a body gets enough vitamin C, it can assimilate more iron and ultimately improve the haemoglobin level. From moong to arhar, chana to matki, and kulith, all these pulses are rich in amino acids, vitamin B, and good fibre. These nutrients in the body help in better iron assimilation. Rujuta highlights that one can't benefit from these until consumed with chapati and rice. According to her, consuming these either in breakfast or lunch will improve the vitamin B12 value. This also helps better assimilation of iron. Chickpea and jaggery are one of the most popular snacking combinations in India. This combination helps in better iron absorption in the body. Chickpeas are highly nutritious and packed with plant-based protein, fibre, and essential minerals like magnesium and potassium. Apricot is often the most overlooked fruit, yet one of the most nutritious ones. It is a very good source of iron, and one must have it once a day. Rujuta recommends using iron cookware for meal preparation to ensure that the food gets some iron. Once the haemoglobin level improves, thyroid and ovarian functions also improve. The mood, energy, skin, and hair conditions also start getting better. Rujuta clearly mentioned that consuming alcohol not only impacts the liver but also reduces iron assimilation in your body. She also highlighted that consuming excess black coffee can also negatively impact your iron levels. Consuming juices, smoothies, and laxatives in excess daily can also impact the iron absorption in the body. In fact, only depending on salad and avoiding real food can also decrease iron levels....