Even if vegetarians eat more iron than meat-eaters, they might still be more likely to be low on iron because the kind of iron in plants isn't as easily absorbed by the body.

Eating more red meat—like beef or lamb—might help women of childbearing age in rich countries keep healthier iron levels, especially if they eat between a small steak and a large one every day.

If you're a premenopausal woman, especially an endurance athlete, eating more meat might help keep your iron levels up and reduce your chances of being low on iron.

Eating red meat every day might help your body store more iron than eating chicken or fish — one study says people who eat red meat daily have nearly a third more stored iron in their blood.

If you're a Mongolian adult with type 2 diabetes and eat a lot of meat, your body might store more iron — and this could be because meat adds extra iron to your system.

Eating only meat gives your body enough of the right kind of iron to keep your iron levels and blood counts healthy—without too little or too much iron.