Moderate interactionModerateSeparate by 1h

Iron bisglycinate and Coffee: interaction, severity and spacing

Iron bisglycinate and Coffee interact because polyphenols in coffee, chiefly chlorogenic acid, bind non-heme iron in the gut and can reduce its absorption by 40-60% when consumed within an hour. Take them 1 hours apart. Moderate risk.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-20Reviewed by: StackingRight clinical review

The interaction in detail

Summary of the Iron bisglycinate and Coffee interaction
PairIron bisglycinate and Coffee
TypeFood interaction
SeverityModerate
Required spacing1 hours minimum
OnsetAt the time of dosing

Mechanism

Polyphenols in coffee, chiefly chlorogenic acid, bind non-heme iron in the gut and can reduce its absorption by 40-60% when consumed within an hour.

What to do

Wait at least one hour after iron before coffee — ideally longer. Take iron with vitamin C instead.

How to fit both into one day

Iron bisglycinate
morningempty stomach

Non-heme iron absorbs best on an empty stomach with vitamin C. Coffee, tea and calcium can halve absorption, so keep them two hours away.

Putting Iron bisglycinate in the morning and Coffee in the evening satisfies the 1-hour separation without disrupting either one's absorption window.

Iron bisglycinate and Coffee: common questions