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.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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Is Higher Consumption of Animal Flesh Foods Associated with Better Iron Status among Adults in Developed Countries? A Systematic Review

Systematic Review

Human

2016 Feb 16

The study looks at how eating meat, chicken, and fish affects iron levels and finds that eating animal flesh is generally linked to better iron status. This supports the idea that red meat helps iron levels, but it doesn't prove red meat is better than chicken or fish by a specific amount.

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No contradicting evidence found

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Source Study

Is Higher Consumption of Animal Flesh Foods Associated with Better Iron Status among Adults in Developed Countries? A Systematic Review

Score: 20

DOI: 10.3390/nu8020089

Similar Assertions

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.

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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.

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