Q. Does drinking tea limit iron absorption? I usually have a cup of black decaffeinated tea in the morning after taking my vitamins (and Slow Fe, an iron pill). I drink several glasses of iced tea throughout the day and wonder if that might also have an impact. I am anemic and cannot donate blood because my iron levels are too low.
A. Tannins in tea can combine with iron from your pill and keep it from being absorbed, thereby wiping out its benefit. Iron that comes from meat (heme iron) is not affected by tannin. But drinking iced tea throughout the day could interfere with the absorption of iron from other food sources such as spinach.
To maximize your iron absorption, take it at least an hour before or two hours after you drink any tea. Take it with orange juice or vitamin C because ascorbic acid improves iron absorption.
