Components -> Minerals -> Trace elements
Iron is a mineral essential for various biological processes in our body, such as formation of red blood cells and the transport of oxygen throughout the body. In our diet it exists in two primary forms: heme and non-heme iron. Heme iron is derived from animal products like red meat, poultry, and fish. This form is readily absorbed by the body. Non-heme iron, on the other hand, is found in plant-based foods such as beans, lentils, spinach, and fortified cereals. This form is not as easily absorbed and its uptake can be influenced by other dietary factors.
Iron is essential for the formation of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, where it is used by cells for energy production. Iron is also vital for immune function, cognitive development, and various other bodily functions.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iron varies based on age and gender. The recommendations also vary between countries. For adult males and post-menopausal females the RDA is around 8 milligrams per day. For pre-menopausal females, the RDA is higher: around 18 milligrams per day. Pregnant women might have an even higher RDA. It's important to meet your specific iron needs through a balanced diet with iron-rich foods.
Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, causing symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and dizziness. It can also impact cognitive function, immune function, and physical growth in children. Severe iron deficiency may lead to complications such as heart problems and pregnancy complications.
Yes, excessive intake of iron (mainly due to supplementation) can be harmful to the body. Consuming too much iron can lead to iron toxicity, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, organ damage. Thus, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking iron supplements.
If your iron is low, it can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and difficulty concentrating. It's important to consult a healthcare professional to determine the cause of low iron and to discuss potential treatment options, which may include dietary changes, iron supplements, or other interventions.
Vegans can get their iron intake from plant-based sources such as legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas), tofu, tempeh, fortified cereals, quinoa, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard). Consuming vitamin C-rich foods alongside these iron sources can enhance the absorption of non-heme iron found in plant-based foods.
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Liver, boiled, salt
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
254.62mg per 85 grams
Roasted liver
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
248.20mg per 85 grams
Game bird, grilled/fried
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Chicken and other birds
Iron
180.26mg per 85 grams
Kidney, boiled, salt
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
145.52mg per 85 grams
Reindeer, boiled, salt
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
115.97mg per 85 grams
Reindeer roast
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
115.97mg per 85 grams
Elk, fried
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
58.96mg per 85 grams
Roast beef
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
53.73mg per 85 grams
Beef steak, grilled
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
53.70mg per 85 grams
Beef steak, fried
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
92.51mg per 156 grams
Roasted elk, baked
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
50.04mg per 85 grams
Tongue, beef, boiled
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
48.56mg per 85 grams
Veal roast, oven-baked
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
45.07mg per 85 grams
Beef tenderloin, oven-baked, roasted beef tenderloin
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
42.63mg per 85 grams
Beef tenderloin, grilled
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
41.54mg per 85 grams
Beef, spleen, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
37.87mg per 85 grams
Beef, boiled
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
33.00mg per 77 grams
Beef sirloin steak, oven-baked
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
36.00mg per 85 grams
Lamb, spleen, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
35.61mg per 85 grams
Beef sirloin steak, grilled
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
35.59mg per 85 grams
Mutton roast
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
35.17mg per 85 grams
Beef, spleen, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
33.46mg per 85 grams
Lamb, spleen, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
32.87mg per 85 grams
Lamb, low-fat, boiled
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
30.83mg per 85 grams
Liver, pork
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
26.69mg per 85 grams
Liver, reindeer
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
26.35mg per 85 grams
Duck, domesticated, liver, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
25.95mg per 85 grams
Veal knuckle, simmered
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
25.84mg per 85 grams
Sauteed elk
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Meat dishes
Iron
23.62mg per 85 grams
Hare, grilled/fried
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
22.09mg per 85 grams
Rabbit, grilled/fried
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
22.09mg per 85 grams
Pork shoulder, oven-baked
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
20.72mg per 92 grams
Pork chop, grilled
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
19.15mg per 85 grams
Pork, spleen, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
18.97mg per 85 grams
Pork, spleen, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
18.90mg per 85 grams
Chicken, boiled with salt
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Chicken and other birds
Iron
18.72mg per 85 grams
Steak tartare
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
18.43mg per 110 grams
Mushroom, fried
Type: Recipe
Vegetable dishes -> Mushroom dishes
Iron
18.04mg per 85 grams
Liver, boiled, without salt
Type: Dish
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
17.85mg per 85 grams
Pork knuckle, ham hock, simmered
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
16.73mg per 85 grams
Pork, lungs, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
16.07mg per 85 grams
Pork, liver, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
15.23mg per 85 grams
Lamb steak, fried
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
15.22mg per 85 grams
Beef round, fried without fat
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
15.05mg per 85 grams
Pork, lungs, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Iron
13.95mg per 85 grams
Turkey breast, oven-baked
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Chicken and other birds
Iron
13.43mg per 85 grams
Pork, boiled, salt
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Steaks and chops
Iron
13.42mg per 85 grams
Rice, natural rice, mixed rice and wild rice, boiled without salt
Type: Recipe
Cereals and cereal products -> Rice
Iron
12.86mg per 140 grams
Turkey, oven-baked
Type: Recipe
Meat dishes -> Chicken and other birds
Iron
12.53mg per 85 grams
Baltic herring, boiled
Type: Recipe
Fish dishes -> Fish
Iron
21.07mg per 143 grams
What you eat matters.