Why… do we need iron in our blood?
Your body needs iron – a mineral found in lots of foods – to help red blood cells transport oxygen around your body. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin. This absorbs oxygen from the lungs, carries it around the body and releases it into cells to give them energy. Iron molecules are a vital component of haemoglobin. If your body is low in iron your organs and tissues won’t get as much oxygen as they should. Iron also helps your body to make new red blood cells. Iron itself is not made in the body – it can only be absorbed through food or supplements. Being low on iron could be due to poor diet or blood loss (for example, after an accident). Some people have medical conditions that affect how well they absorb iron from foods. Naturally iron-rich foods include red meat, beans and leafy greens.