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Iron: Benefits and Foods High in Iron

Discover Iron benefits, top sources for vegans and carnivores and their Iron content per 100g.

Luke Gartland avatar
Written by Luke Gartland
Updated over 10 months ago

What is Iron?

Iron is a vital mineral that is essential for the production of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. It also plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including energy production, DNA synthesis, and immune function.

Benefits of Iron

  • Oxygen Transport: Essential for the production of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood.

  • Energy Production: Involved in the production of ATP, the body's primary energy source.

  • Immune Function: Supports the immune system by promoting the growth and differentiation of immune cells.

  • Cognitive Function: Important for brain health and cognitive development.

Foods High in Iron

Here are some foods rich in Iron along with their approximate Iron content per 100 grams and the percentage of the daily recommended value (DRV) they provide. The DRV for Iron is approximately 8 mg for men and 18 mg for women.

Top Sources of Iron for Carnivores

  1. Liver (Beef, Chicken, etc.)

    • Iron content: 9.0 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 113% for men, 50% for women

    • Liver is one of the richest sources of heme iron.

  2. Oysters

    • Iron content: 7.0 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 88% for men, 39% for women

    • Oysters are an excellent source of iron.

  3. Ground Beef

    • Iron content: 2.7 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 34% for men, 15% for women

    • Ground beef provides a significant amount of iron.

  4. Turkey

    • Iron content: 1.4 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 18% for men, 8% for women

    • Turkey offers a moderate amount of iron.

  5. Chicken Breast

    • Iron content: 1.1 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 14% for men, 6% for women

    • Chicken breast provides a small but notable amount of iron.

Top Sources of Iron for Vegans

  1. Tofu

    • Iron content: 5.4 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 68% for men, 30% for women

    • Tofu is an excellent source of iron for vegans.

  2. Lentils

    • Iron content: 3.3 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 41% for men, 18% for women

    • Lentils are a great plant-based source of non-heme iron.

  3. Chickpeas

    • Iron content: 2.9 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 36% for men, 16% for women

    • Chickpeas provide a good amount of iron.

  4. Spinach

    • Iron content: 2.7 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 34% for men, 15% for women

    • Spinach is rich in iron and other essential nutrients.

  5. Quinoa

    • Iron content: 1.5 mg per 100g

    • % of Daily Need: 19% for men, 8% for women

    • Quinoa is a nutritious grain that contains iron.

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