Don't Drink Coffee with Meals!

American nutrition expert Dr. Roxana Baker announced that consuming coffee with food can lead to a deficiency of iron in the blood. According to her, symptoms of iron deficiency manifest as pale skin, weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness, caused by the body's reduced production of red blood cells. She adds that coffee can exacerbate iron deficiency in the blood when consumed with breakfast or lunch. She states, "Coffee contains polyphenols (chlorogenic acid) that inhibit the absorption of iron in the body." This has been corroborated by studies, which revealed that iron absorption decreases from 90% to 40% in individuals who drink coffee with their meals. The expert advises consuming coffee at least 30 minutes after eating to prevent iron deficiency. Additionally, she mentions that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is not recommended, and consuming coffee one hour before meals also leads to poor iron absorption.