Coffee is an integral part of the morning routine for many people, but if you are taking iron supplements, the time you consume it may matter.
Drinking coffee around the time you take an iron supplement can reduce the amount of iron your body can absorb. For this reason, experts recommend taking coffee and the supplement at different times, usually at least 1–2 hours apart.
A practical way is to take iron with water as soon as you wake up and drink coffee an hour or two later. If you don’t want to give up your morning coffee, you can take the supplement later in the day, as directed by your doctor. For some people, taking it before bed may be a suitable alternative.
The reason is related to the composition of coffee. It contains polyphenols, plant compounds that can bind to iron in the digestive tract and make it less available for absorption.
This effect is particularly significant for non-heme iron, which is found in plant-based foods and many supplements. Meanwhile, heme iron, which is found primarily in meat and seafood, is generally more easily absorbed and less affected by dietary factors.
Practical advice: for best absorption, avoid coffee around the time of taking iron and follow the interval recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.