Strategies such as consumption of citrus fruits such as orange, pineapple and acerola, as well as iron-rich foods and avoid frequent use of antacid medications such as omeprazole and Pepsamar, should be used to improve iron absorption in the gut.
Iron absorption is easier when presented in the form of “heme”, which is present in animal foods such as meat, liver and egg yolk. Some plant-based foods, such as tofu, kale and beans, also contain iron, but it is non-heme iron, which the gut absorbs in smaller amounts.
Tips for increasing iron absorption in the gut include
Pregnant women and anemic people naturally absorb more iron because iron deficiency causes the gut to absorb larger amounts of this mineral.
The main foods rich in iron are:
Animal origin: red meats, poultry, fish, heart, liver, shrimp and crabs.
Plant origin: tofu, chestnuts, flaxseed, sesame, cabbage, coriander, prune, beans, peas, lentils, brown rice, whole wheat and tomato sauce.
To combat anemia it is important that all meals contain foods rich in iron, so that the intestine increases the absorption of this mineral and the body is able to overcome anemia and replenish its reserves.