Impact of tea drinking on iron status in the UK: a review

Abstract

From the available evidence there is no need to advise any restriction on tea drinking in healthy people with no risk of iron deficiency. In groups at risk of iron deficiency the advice should be to drink tea between meals and to wait at least 1 h after eating before drinking tea.

Comparative evaluation of green and black tea consumption on the iron status of omnivorous and vegetarian people

“…Thus, it is recommended to these consumers either to avoid green tea and black tea or to drink these teas between two meals and not with the meals. This recommendation was also given by a review on the impact of tea drinking on the iron status in the UK (Nelson & Poulter, 2004) for groups at risk of iron deficiency. Women, independent of their diet, showed higher contents of vitamin C, known to enhance the non-heme iron absorption, than the male volunteers.…”

Green tea and green tea catechin extracts: An overview of the clinical evidence

“…Green tea reduces the bioavailability of folic acid and therefore is not recommended for pregnant women or with megaloblastic anaemia [4]. There is some evidence that green tea reduces iron absorption [5].…”

Splenomegaly in Patients With Sideropenic Anemias: Clinical and Hematologic Significance

“…A common custom in Egypt is to drink nearly 2 g/250 mL of red tea right after each meal particularly after lunch. Numerous studies reported that tea hinders iron absorption and advised tea drinkers to have their cups at least 1 h after meal [27][28][29].…”