What are the Types of Iron Found in Food?

Iron is an important nutrient, which is required for many functions of the body The most important function is to make hemoglobin in red blood cells.

There are 2 types of iron in food:

Haem iron is found in meat, seafood and poultry. It is absorbed more effectively than non-haem iron. Hence, it is better to consume haem iron-rich foods in case of iron deficiency. Taking too much heme iron in the diet by people with abnormal iron metabolism is dangerous as well and may cause a disease such as hemochromatosis

Non-haem iron is mostly found in vegetable products and eggs but can also be found in the liver, spleen and bone marrow in the form of ferritin and haemosiderin. It is not absorbed as effectively as haem iron. Hence it is not a very effective choice for iron deficient people.