Does tea consumption impact iron absorption?
The flavonoids in tea like other compounds in food such as phytates in cereal partially inhibit iron absorption when consumed with food. Only non haem iron, that is iron from plant sources not animal sources is affected. This effect can be reduced significantly by the inclusion of a Vitamin C rich food and drinking orange juice. In Western countries there is no indication that tea consumption causes iron deficiency. Risk groups for iron deficiency anaemia (young children and pregnant women) are encouraged to eat diets rich in iron and Vitamin C.
