Many foods contain iron, and eating a wide range of foods can help most people meet their needs for this nutrient. Iron from animal sources (haem iron) is better absorbed than iron from plant sources (non-haem iron). About 15% of iron in diets containing meat or fish is absorbed. Absorption of non-haem iron is affected by various factors in food.
Phytates (in cereals and pulses), fibre, tannins (in tea and coffee) and calcium can bind non-haem iron, which reduces absorption. Vitamin C increases absorption of non-haem iron. This means iron absorption will be increased by having food and drinks which contain vitamin C with meals, e.g. vegetables, salad, orange juice. But tea and coffee with meals will reduce absorption.
So, next time you eat food high in iron, be sure to have an element of Vitamin C.
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how much heamoglobin will increas if vit c is given in addition to iron and folic acid in anemia
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