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How nutrition works

Iron absorption

Which nutrients improve the absorption of iron from food.

How much iron the body absorbs from food depends on the form of iron and on other components of the diet. Vitamin C increases iron absorption according to EU health claims. Here you find the evidence – with evidence level and sources.

Nutrients & foods

  • Evidence: strong

    Vitamin C

    • Vitamin C increases iron absorption. [1][2]

      Authorised EU claim

Sources

  1. 01EFSA Journal · 2009Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin C and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 129, 138, 143, 148), antioxidant function of lutein (ID 146), maintenance of vision (ID 141, 142), collagen formation (ID 130, 131, 136, 137, 149), function of the nervous system (ID 133), function of the immune system (ID 134), function of the immune system during and after extreme physical exercise (ID 144), non-haem iron absorption (ID 132, 147), energy-yielding metabolism (ID 135), and relief in case of irritation in the upper respiratory tract (ID 1714, 1715) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006DOI 10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1226
  2. 02European Commission · 2012Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children's development and healthOpen source