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Do Coffee and Tea Block Iron Absorption?
Coffee and tea can inhibit iron absorption: in a study in adults, coffee and tea drunk with a bread meal cut the iron absorbed from it.[1]
Based on Hurrell, Reddy & Cook, Br J Nutr 1999 · Updated October 10, 2026
Coffee and tea can inhibit iron absorption[1]
In a human study every polyphenol-rich drink tested cut iron absorption from a bread meal, in proportion to its polyphenol content: black tea by 79 to 94%, herb teas and cocoa by about half or more, and coffee was a potent inhibitor too. Adding milk made little difference.
In a study in adults, coffee and tea drunk with a bread meal cut the iron absorbed from it.
Source [1]Hurrell RF, Reddy M, Cook JD. Inhibition of non-haem iron absorption in man by polyphenolic-containing beverages. British Journal of Nutrition. 1999. (PubMed)
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- Do Iron and Manganese Compete?They are linked: iron deficiency raises manganese absorption and can make manganese toxicity worse.
- Does Vitamin A Help Iron?Vitamin A is needed to mobilise iron, so if iron and vitamin A are both short, address both.
- Does Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Help Iron?Riboflavin is needed to use iron, so check riboflavin sources such as dairy, eggs and fortified grains when iron is short.
- Do Whole Grains and Beans Block Iron?Phytate in grains and beans lowers non-heme iron absorption, but in a typical western diet the effect matters little for most people’s iron status.
- Does Soy Affect Iron Absorption?Soy protein lowers non-heme iron absorption, largely because of its phytate.
- Do Iron and Copper Work Together?Yes. Copper takes part in iron metabolism, and anemia is one effect of copper deficiency, which is uncommon.
Sources
- Hurrell RF, Reddy M, Cook JD. Inhibition of non-haem iron absorption in man by polyphenolic-containing beverages. British Journal of Nutrition. 1999. PubMed
This page is general information from the cited sources, not medical advice. If you take prescription medication, are pregnant, or manage a health condition, check supplement changes with a pharmacist or doctor.