Is matcha interfering with iron levels in your body?

Matcha has been and still is one of the biggest indulgences around. Its impact has far surpassed just being a beverage, to certain food flavors and combos such as matcha cookies, ice cream, cakes and more. While its popularity and fandom are one of the strongest around, there is one aspect to it that disadvantages many consumers: It affects iron absorption in the body. 

Matcha may not be for you if you have low iron levels

When iron levels drop below a certain threshold, that means there is iron deficiency in the body. Since our bodies can not produce iron, it relies on external sources. This means there has to be a certain amount absorbed from the food we eat, or the vitamins we take. Though the best source is always the food and the nutrients that come with it! It matters what one consumes with food to be able to best absorb certain vitamins, and iron can be tricky than most. 

Although matcha has its own benefits, it has two components that bind iron in the digestion process and stops the body from absorbing it properly, if not fully. Especially, if one consumes 3 or more cups of matcha a day, some studies point to lower iron levels in the blood already. This amount changes with your existing iron levels. If there is already a lower percentage of iron in the body, less matcha will affect those levels more.

To be able to overcome this, it is important to balance meals that involve your iron intake and the matcha you consume that day. On those days, and around those specific iron rich meals, it might be best to skip matcha altogether or reduce significantly.