- Daily Intake
- What Is the Recommended Daily Allowance for Iron?
- Anemia Treatment
- What Is the Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia?
- Guide
Iron-rich drinks include apple juice, apricot nectar, beef broth, beet juice, cocoa using natural cocoa powder, “green” smoothies, orange juice, pea protein smoothies, prune juice, tomato juice, and spinach juice.
Iron is a mineral the body uses to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body.
Iron also helps remove carbon dioxide, and functions to aid in physical growth, cellular functioning, neurological development, and production of some hormones.
11 healthy iron-rich drinks
Drinks high in iron include:
- Apple juice
- Apricot nectar
- Beef broth
- Beet juice
- Cocoa using natural cocoa powder
- “Green” smoothies
- Usually containing ingredients such as kale, spinach, celery, Swiss chard, wheatgrass, cucumber, parsley, and mint
- Orange juice
- Pea protein smoothies
- Prune juice
- Tomato juice
- Spinach juice
Adding flax seeds or sesame seeds to smoothies can also increase their iron content.
Drinks containing caffeine such as coffee, tea, and soda taken with meals can block iron absorption.
What Is the Recommended Daily Allowance for Iron?
Some people may be at higher risk of developing low levels of iron, also called iron deficiency anemia, including:
- Pregnant people
- Those who experience heavy bleeding during menstruation (lasting longer than seven days or soaking through tampons or pads once every hour)
- Infants and children
- Elderly
- Vegetarians and vegans
- Endurance athletes
- People with chronic kidney failure on dialysis
What Is the Treatment for Iron Deficiency Anemia?
The cause of the low iron must first be determined in order to treat iron deficiency anemia.
If low iron is due to blood loss, such as from stomach ulcers or bowel problems, those issues need to be treated.
People with iron deficiency anemia need additional iron but eating fruits and other foods high in iron is not enough. Iron supplementation may be given:
- Orally as pills or liquid
- Ferrous fumarate
- Ferrous gluconate
- Ferrous sulfate
- Ferrous sulfate liquid
- Polysaccharide iron complex
- Intravenously
- For people unable to absorb an adequate amount of iron orally
If iron deficiency anemia is severe, a blood transfusion may be needed.
Reviewed on 10/4/2022
References
REFERENCES:
Image source: iStock Images
https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/before-during-after/iron-blood-donation/iron-rich-foods.html
https://isthisfood.org/top-10-drinks-high-in-iron-iron-rich-drinks/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/anemia-caused-by-low-iron-in-adults-beyond-the-basics?search=iron%20deficiency%20anemia&source=search_result&selectedTitle=4~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=4
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/iron/
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/iron.html
FAQs
Iron supplements.
Most people take 150-200 milligrams each day, but your doctor will recommend a dose based on your iron levels. Taking vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron. You might need to take iron supplements for a few months or more to get your levels to normal.
What drinks are high in iron for anemia? ›
Here are 7 drinks that are high in iron.
- Floradix. Although not technically a beverage, Floradix is a liquid iron supplement that's a good choice for people with low iron stores. ...
- Prune juice. ...
- Aviva Romm's iron tonic. ...
- Green juice. ...
- Pea protein shakes. ...
- Cocoa and beef liver smoothie. ...
- Spinach, cashew, and raspberry smoothie.
Iron supplements.
Most people take 150-200 milligrams each day, but your doctor will recommend a dose based on your iron levels. Taking vitamin C helps your body absorb the iron. You might need to take iron supplements for a few months or more to get your levels to normal.
What should I drink if I have high iron? ›
Milk proteins and calcium both inhibit food iron absorption [10], so drinking a glass of milk with the meals may be beneficial for persons with iron overload. Recommended beverages to the meals are green- or black tea, coffee, low-fat milk, or water.
Which juice is good for anemia? ›
Juice of fruits and vegetables like pomegranate, gooseberry (amla), orange, figs, apples, should be consumed. Make smoothies with ingredients such as spinach, beetroot, tomato, and cabbage to up the haemoglobin levels.
What snack has the most iron? ›
Other foods rich in iron include:
- Pumpkin seeds.
- Sesame seeds.
- Flax seeds.
- Almonds.
- Cashews.
- Pine nuts.
- Macadamia nuts.
- Hemp seeds.
Chelation therapy
This involves taking medicine that removes iron from your blood and releases it into your urine or poo. Commonly used medicines are deferasirox and desferrioxamine.
How can I quickly fix my iron levels? ›
If your iron levels are low, your doctor may recommend oral or injectable supplements to get your levels back up quickly. However, you can also raise your iron levels by eating foods that are high in iron and foods rich in vitamin C that enhance iron absorption in your body.
What can I eat if my iron is too high? ›
Summary. Watching what you eat can help people with hemochromatosis to slow the buildup of iron in their blood. The hemochromatosis diet emphasizes fresh produce, plant-based proteins, fish, lean poultry, and low-fat dairy while avoiding sources of heme iron, like red meat.
How do I boost my iron overnight? ›
14 Healthy iron-rich drinks include:
- Apple juice.
- Apricot nectar.
- Beef broth.
- Beet juice.
- Cocoa using natural cocoa powder.
- “Green” smoothies. Usually containing ingredients such as kale, spinach, celery, Swiss chard, wheatgrass, cucumber, parsley, and mint. ...
- Orange juice.
- Grapefruits juice.
Fruit
- Strawberries.
- Watermelon.
- Raisins.
- Dates.
- Figs.
- Prunes.
- Prune juice.
- Dried apricots.
Peanut butter is rich in iron and can be used as a spread or served to children. Peanut butter contains 0.56 mg iron per tablespoon. White beans are good when it comes to iron, providing 8 mg per serving.
How can I raise my iron levels quickly? ›
Foods rich in iron include:
- Red meat, pork and poultry.
- Seafood.
- Beans.
- Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach.
- Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots.
- Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas.
- Peas.
Bananas may be high in fiber but are low in iron (about 0.4 mg/100 g of fresh weight). Bananas are a popular fruit around the world, and a staple food in many countries, especially those in Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Bananas are botanically considered a berry and nutritious food, but they are not high in iron.
Is co*ke good for anemia? ›
Abstract. Preliminary data in the literature indicate that iron absorption from a meal may be increased when consumed with low–pH beverages such as cola, and it is also possible that sugar iron complexes may alter iron availability.
