Spinach: High in Iron?

In contrast, iron from red meat is absorbed about 10 times more than iron from vegetables.

Regarding quantities, less red meat than vegetables can be consumed to get the iron the body needs.

A person rinses fresh spinach leaves

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Calcium can inhibit both nonheme and heme iron absorption.

Ascorbic acid(vitamin C) can increase the absorption of iron when they are consumed together.

Despite not living up to its iron source reputation, spinach is still worth including in your diet.

One cup of cooked spinach contains about 6.4 mg of iron.

Other Iron-Rich Greens to Try

Leafy green vegetablesare full of nutritious components, including iron.

In addition to spinach, vegetables that are high in iron include:

Who Needs More Iron?

IDA affects about 4 million to 5 million Americans each year.

Vitamin C can help increase iron absorption when consumed at the same time.

People with iron-deficiency anemia may need to take iron supplements.

Keepiron supplementsaway from children, as they contain enough iron to be fatal for a child.

McGill University.Iron in spinach.

2020;12(6):1761. doi:10.3390/nu12061761

National Institutes of Health.Iron.

Rush Memorial Hospital.Iron, anemia & why popeye ate spinach.

2024;6(1):10. doi:10.1186/s43014-023-00192-7

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Spinach, raw.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Spinach, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt.

American National Red Cross.Iron rich foods.

Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.Iron.

Harvard Health.A healthy diet is the key to getting the iron you need.

Stanford Medicine.Ways to boost blood iron levels while eating a vegan or vegetarian diet.