As if getting enough iron weren’t hard enough already, there are several other food molecules that actually interfere with iron absorption, particularly the iron in plants. Foods such as legumes, nuts, and berries—which we’re told to eat plenty of—contain polyphenols, which can reduce our ability to extract and absorb iron. Similarly, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are high in phytic acid, which tends to prevent iron from being absorbed by the small intestine.
As if getting enough iron weren’t hard enough already, there are several other food molecules that actually interfere with iron absorption, particularly the iron in plants. Foods such as legumes, nuts, and berries—which we’re told to eat plenty of—contain polyphenols, which can reduce our ability to extract and absorb iron. Similarly, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are high in phytic acid, which tends to prevent iron from being absorbed by the small intestine.
