When it comes to making sure our bodies have enough vital vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy, most people assume that a balanced diet is essential. But did you know that certain types or combinations of foods can actually limit the absorption of essential vitamins? Uncovering these problematic associations can be a difficult detective game, but understanding which foods prevent us from properly absorbing various vitamins is an important step in ensuring we get the most benefit from our meals. In this article, we’ll explore some common food combinations that can lead to poor nutrient absorption and learn tips on how to avoid them.
Whole grains:
Whole grains, such as oats, brown rice and quinoa, prevent the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals because they contain phytic acid. Phytic acid binds to these minerals in the intestine and prevents them from being absorbed by the body. It’s best to eat whole grains with foods high in vitamin C, like oranges or strawberries, which help break down phytic acid and allow for better absorption of minerals like iron and zinc. The ideal is to consume these foods at the beginning of the day so as not to lack essential nutrients.
Fiber-rich foods:
Fiber-rich foods can also interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. Fiber has many health benefits, but it can also bind to certain micronutrients like calcium and magnesium and prevent their absorption by the body. To ensure proper nutrient absorption, it is recommended that fiber-rich foods be combined with other sources of calcium or magnesium, such as dairy products or leafy green vegetables, at least once a day.
Soy products:
Soy products are another group of foods known to block the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals due to their naturally occurring phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens work similarly to phytic acid by binding to certain vitamins and minerals in your intestines before they can be absorbed by your body. Consumption of soy products should be balanced with other sources of protein, such as lean meats, fish or eggs, throughout the day to ensure adequate nutrient intake.
Caffeinated drinks:
Caffeine found in coffee, tea, energy drinks and sodas can also inhibit the absorption of vitamin B6 by competing with the receptors that absorb this particular vitamin in our body. To counteract this effect, it is important to consume other B vitamins throughout the day, especially the B12 found in fortified cereals or animal protein. This ensures adequate levels in our body after consuming caffeinated beverages during breakfast or lunch.
Eggs:
Egg whites contain a protein called avidin which binds biotin (vitamin B7) making it unabsorbable by our body until it reaches its acidic environment in later stages of digestion where biotin becomes available to be absorbed into our bloodstream, where it needs to be. Eggs should therefore be combined with foods rich in biotin such as bananas or peas during breakfast, so that we can fully benefit from all its nutritional properties throughout our morning activities!
Salt :
Sodium chloride (common table salt) inhibits iron absorption when eaten with iron-rich foods like spinach or kale. However, if eaten separately from meals containing iron, there will be no problem since salt does not affect any other micronutrient except iron! It is best taken mid-morning or mid-afternoon rather than just before bed, as its diuretic effects can disrupt our sleep pattern if taken too close to bedtime!
Spinach :
The oxalates present in spinach bind calcium, preventing its full absorption. However, pairing spinach with vitamin C-rich foods like tomatoes helps lower oxalate levels, allowing for better mineral absorption! Eating spinach at dinner time is ideal, because this way we have maximum time between meals containing oxalates. This ensures that enough time has passed between them for the calcium to remain available for further digestion overnight!
Alcoholic beverages :
Alcohol consumption interferes with the absorption of zinc from other dietary sources due to its diuretic effects which promote the excretion of this mineral through the urine. Nevertheless, combining zinc-rich foods such as oysters with alcoholic beverages during lunch can reduce the negative effects of alcohol on zinc absorption, allowing us to benefit from all the healthy properties offered by this micronutrient even if we drank alcohol earlier!
