Popeye had it right when he encouraged us to eat our spinach!
Why is that? Spinach is notably high in iron, as are several other garden veggies.
Let’s dive a little deeper into the roles this nutrient plays in the body, and common vegetable sources that you can grow at home.
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Here’s what we will take a look at:
What Is Iron?
Iron is a mineral that is found in many foods. And it is essential for keeping our bodies in working order.
The most significant dietary sources are meat and poultry, however, many vegetables also contain a decent amount.
Unfortunately, not everyone’s daily intake of this essential nutrient is adequate to meet their needs, especially for those following a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Iron deficiency anemia is a fairly common diagnosis. What does this mean? Due to a lack of the mineral, your body is not producing enough red blood cells – the cells responsible for transporting oxygen around your body.
Your doctor can diagnose this with a simple blood test, and it can usually be treated through dietary modifications and/or an oral supplement. Cooking foods in a cast iron pan can also help to increase your daily intake.
Heme vs. Non-Heme
There are two main types of iron: heme and non-heme.
The heme (ferrous) type comes from animal-based sources like meat, poultry, and seafood. These sources also contain the non-heme (ferric) variety.
Plant-based sources, like vegetables, grains, and seeds only contain non-heme iron. This type is less bioavailable, meaning our bodies can’t absorb and use it as effectively.
You can help to boost non-heme absorption by pairing it with some
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