Clinical tests have shown that daily use of the Lucky Iron Fish can restore circulating and stored levels of iron and reduces the prevalence of anemia by ∼43%.
When placed into a pot of boiling, acidified water for 10 minutes, this reusable, fish-shaped ingot releases iron into the cooking water. Subsequently, the food absorbs the iron from the iron-enriched water, increasing the overall iron content of the meal.
The fish is made from a particular type of iron and its shape, size and weight are calculated to release about 70 micrograms of iron per gram after boiling for 10 minutes in a liter of acidified water.