Use an Iron Pan To Increase Iron In Your Food

Did You Know?

Did you know using an iron pan will increase your iron intake with your food.

Cast iron cookware is made of solid iron, and when food contacts the hot surface, small amounts of elemental iron leach into the food.

This is the same iron your body uses to make hemoglobin, not contamination in the usual sense. The amount transferred depends on:

Acidity – Lower‑pH foods (tomato sauce, citrus, vinegar) pull more iron from the pan

Temperature & time – Higher heat and longer cooking increase release

Moisture – Wet foods transfer more iron than dry‑heat cooking

Pan condition – New or lightly seasoned pans leach more than well‑seasoned ones

Can Cooking in Cast Iron Raise Iron Levels? – Biology Insights

How Much Iron Do I Get From a Cast Iron Skillet? | Food Network

Is Cast Iron Healthy to Cook With? Benefits and Risks – ScienceInsights