Book 10, Question 39
Why Do You Need Iron in Food?
You need iron in food because iron helps your blood carry oxygen! Iron is part of hemoglobin, the red substance in your red blood cells. Foods like beans, meat, and leafy greens have iron, and a grown-up or doctor can answer questions about what your body needs.
More fun facts
- Iron is a key part of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Each hemoglobin molecule has four iron atoms.
- When blood passes through your lungs, the iron in hemoglobin grabs oxygen.
- A lack of iron is the most common cause of anemia, which means not having enough healthy red blood cells.
- Red meat, dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, peas and lentils all have iron.
- Your body absorbs iron from red meat more easily than iron from plants.
Sources: National Geographic, Scientific American, BBC
Questions kids ask
What happens without enough iron?
Your body cannot make enough hemoglobin, so cells may not get all the oxygen they need.