Foods To Avoid After Donating Blood

Foods High In Calcium

Foods high in calcium reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron. Since somebody who has just given blood needs to replace the iron they have lost, they should avoid eating high-calcium foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese at the same time they take an iron supplement or eat iron-rich foods. Like iron, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6, and vitamin B9 (folate or folic acid) help the body rebuild red blood cells. A blood donor should, therefore, also eat foods containing these nutrients. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges or grapefruit, can increase the body’s ability to absorb iron from fruits, vegetables, and grains. Milk is admittedly a good source of vitamin B2, so a blood donor should drink it when they aren’t eating anything with a lot of iron.

Keep reading to unveil more foods to avoid eating after donating blood.

Caffeinated Beverages

Caffeinated beverages also reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron. A blood donor should especially avoid coffee and tea because they contain polyphenols, which are compounds that bind with iron during digestion and thus prevent the body from absorbing it. In 1999, researchers tested the effects of various beverages on the body’s ability to absorb iron. They found black tea could inhibit iron absorption by up to ninety-four percent and cocoa could inhibit iron absorption by as much seventy-one percent. The stronger the drink, the less iron the body absorbs. Caffeine is also a diuretic and thus causes the body to lose fluids. It is, therefore, a good idea to avoid caffeinated drinks for at least eight hours after giving blood.

Learn about yet another food to avoid after donating blood.