What should patients with iron deficiency anemia avoid eating?
Disease description:
I've been dizzy for several days, feeling weak and lethargic, with no desire to do anything. After a hospital checkup, I was diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. I would like to ask, what foods should people with iron-deficiency anemia avoid?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Ding Yu
Do not drink coffee or strong tea when suffering from iron-deficiency anemia. The polyphenols in coffee easily form insoluble salts with iron, thereby inhibiting iron absorption. Tannic acid in tea binds with ferrous iron, hindering the absorption of insoluble tannates. It is also advisable to minimize consumption of alkaline foods, as they reduce gastric acid secretion. Insufficient gastric acid affects the breakdown and conversion of iron, thus impairing iron absorption.
