Question:
Does caffeine really interfere with Iron absorbtion?

My iron (ferritin) is low. I drink coffee in the a.m. and drink crystal light ice tea all day. I take iron seperately from my caffeine. I have recently increased my iron intake. I really don't want to give up the caffeine. If I must I will :(    — Allison M. (posted on November 11, 2004)

November 11, 2004
Caffeine messes with both iron and calicum. Nice, huh? I'd be an all-day iced tea girl, too. And even decaf can interfere with calcium absorption. In theory, you just need the iron away from it for an hour or so, with a vt C, of course. Now, the constant intake is what can interfere with bones, leaching out the calcium that does manage to get in. They also contribute to kidney stones, to which we are more prone. So, you might want to reconsider spacing these out during the day, consuming lots of water in between, rather than using them as a steady beverage.
   — vitalady

November 11, 2004
I believe it is the Tannins in the tea and coffee not the caffine that affects the absorption. I take my iron or calcium atleast 30 mins before drinking coffee or tea. And my levels are going up so far.
   — jenafwife

November 11, 2004
I just wanted to re-emphasize taking your iron with Vitamin C...you need the vitamin C to be able to absorb iron. Also if you take your calcium too close to taking your iron then they kind of cancel each other out and you won't really absorb either. I hope this helps. Lisa Postop lap/rny 10-23-03 340/184/??? -156 lbs
   — Lisa H.

November 12, 2004
It is not caffeine, it is tannic acid that stops iron absoprtion. Tannic acid is in coffee, decaf and regular, and in tea. Caffeine stops calcium absorption but if you drink milk with coffee, you'll break even.
   — mrsmyranow

November 14, 2004
what kind of iron are you taking? I had problems with my iron levels, and my surgeon put me on iron supplements, when it didn't improve they upped the amount... my surgeons office never told me about the different forms of iron, they told me what I was taking was fine, actually they told me it was good, but it wasn't... I was taking ferrous sulfate iron, which isn't well absorbed in post ops, after reading here on obesity help, and 6 months with my iron levels not improving, I switched to a different form of iron, carbonyl iron, (the brand I buy is called feosol, comes in a red box, I get it at CVS or walmart) within 6 weeks of taking it my iron levels had doubled!! and the caffiene, at least for me has no effect on it, as I usually take my first does (I take the iron twice a day) in the morning with my daily coffee.. and it still my labs doubled... what kind of iron do you take? that can be what makes the difference..
   — Patricia T.