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What Drink Is High in Iron?

A glass of iron-rich juice beside a fresh carrot and beet
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. 

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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