Which statement about iron absorption is true?

• A. Vitamin C inhibits non-heme iron absorption
• B. Vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption
• C. Calcium promotes non-heme iron absorption
• D. Phytates enhance non-heme iron absorption

Answer: (B)

Vitamin C enhances non-heme iron absorption. Non-heme iron from plant foods is less readily absorbed and is more affected by dietary factors. Ascorbic acid reduces ferric iron (Fe3+) to the more soluble ferrous form (Fe2+) and forms a soluble vitamin C–iron complex, helping keep iron in a form that can be taken up by intestinal cells. This mechanism raises the amount of iron that enters the bloodstream from a meal containing plant-based iron sources. By contrast, phytates and calcium can bind iron or compete for absorption, reducing non-heme iron uptake, so those statements aren’t correct.