Your Morning Cup of Joe (or Tea!) and Iron Absorption
Are you taking your iron supplement with your morning cup of coffee or tea? I used to take mine with a cup of green tea…
Both coffee and tea (primarily green, black and white tea) contain high concentrations of polyphenols - which can reduce iron absorption by 60%, or even more. In fact, coffee consumption, with or just after a meal may reduce iron absorption by 40%.
So - don’t waste that precious iron. Take it away from your coffee and tea!
Reference(s):
Gropper, Sareen A.S, Jack L. Smith, and James L. Groff. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. 2009.