Effect of tea and coffee consumption on non-haem iron absorption: some questions about milk
Farkas, C.S.; Harding le Riche, W.
Human Nutrition. Clinical Nutrition 41(2): 161-163
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0263-8290 PMID: 3570873 Document Number: 304169
A technical review poses the hypothesis that the tannin-binding capacity of the casein in milk used in tea and coffee may influence the effect of tannins on non-heme iron uptake, and, hence, that tea and coffee drinking may be relevant to problems of iron nutrition insome countries. The paucity of data for supporting this view is cited, and the use of case-control clinical trials is recommended to resolve this question. It is argued that, if it is determined that the addition of milk to tea/coffee prevents the anti-iron effect of tannin, nutrition education should promote the use of milk. (wz)