NUTRIENT STEALERS

Many everyday things rob our body of important nutrients

thiS week: Coffee and tea steal iron COFFEE and tea contain high levels of polyphenols, substances that bind with iron, preventing its absorption.

Tea can reduce absorption by up to 95 per cent (green tea doesn’t inhibit absorption by quite as much).

It is thought to be the phenolics — compounds found in plants — in tea that are to blame.

Lack of iron causes anaemia, leading to tiredness and lowered immunity, as iron helps make red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. A diet high in iron-rich foods such as dark leafy greens and meat is important for coffee and tea drinkers. ‘It’s best to avoid caffeine at the same time as having an ironrich meal or supplement,’ says nutritional biochemist Rachell Hipkiss. ‘Separate them by at least two hours.’ Vitamin C, such as that found in a glass of orange juice, will improve absorption.