Tea Drinking A recent study in the U.K. journal Gut, indicates that drinking black tea rich in tannin with meals can reduce iron absorption. Intestinal iron absorption was measured by studying serum iron binding capacity and serum ferritin. Results showed a significant reduction in the study group as opposed to the control group. The goal then is to use the drinking of black tea to reduce phlebotomy frequency in the management of patients with hemochromatosis. A potent iron-chelating agent is green tea extract.
Green tea is an antioxidant that helps to remove excess iron from the liver.
Hemochromatosis patients should take 4 to 10 green tea extract capsules with at least 250 mg of active polyphenols per capsule. A Norwegian study examined the effects of diet on primary hemochromatosis. Health professionals as well as patients have indicated a strong desire to try to reduce the number of phlebotomies necessary per year through following a specialized diet. A recent Swedish study printed in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition also recommended following a diet in which foods were not fortified with iron. Sweden formerly had the highest iron fortification of its food in the world.