Although usually portrayed as the richest source of iron, spinach is actually a good source but not the best source. When compared with red meat, it contains almost the same amount: 100g of spinach contains 2.7 mg of iron versus 2.6 mg found in 100g of meat. But the difference is that iron from animal foods has a higher absorption in the body than the iron from plant/vegetables sources. So spinach contains a good amount of iron however in a form less available for absorption than iron which is present in meat.The good news is that you can enhance iron absorption from spinach and other green leafy vegetables by eating a vitamin-C-rich food with your meal, such as oranges, melons, strawberries, tomatoes or bell pepper.
