Abstract: A non-toxic artificial mineral water composition containing bioavailable iron consists of an aqueous solution having pH of from 1 to 5 containing ferrous ions at a concentration of from 100 to 300 mg/l and a non-toxic amount of at least one metal cation selected from Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+ and K+, and wherein the composition, when diluted to an iron concentration of 20 ?M, has an iron uptake, measured as intracellular ferritin, of greater than 120 ng/mg protein. The mineral water composition provides oral, bioavailable iron that has use as a supplement to dietary iron.