It’s a common morning routine—roll out of bed, head straight to the kitchen for a cup of joe, and sip it while getting ready and over breakfast throughout the morning. While there’s nothing wrong with a bit of coffee to kickstart your day, many of us also take certain vitamins at some point in the process, not knowing that coffee we’ve consumed may have rendered them useless. If vitamins are part of your daily routine, read on to learn more about which ones to avoid taking with coffee.
Vitamin D
While the best way to raise vitamin D levels is through sun exposure, supplements can be beneficial for those with deficiencies. That said, the caffeine in coffee has been shown to hinder absorption of vitamin D, an essential nutrient for bone health and immunity. If you do take vitamin D supplements, be sure to wait a few hours before or after drinking coffee, though it is generally recommended to take them with food.
Iron
Iron plays a role in several crucial body functions, and iron deficiency can lead to a host of symptoms such as fatigue, frequent colds, and even hair loss. Supplements can help to keep iron levels in the ideal range, but they should never be taken alongside tea or coffee. Coffee contains compounds known as polyphenols that can interfere with iron absorption in the body, while tea, including decaffeinated herbal varieties, contains tannins that can block iron absorption by up to 90%.
Calcium
As children, many of us were told that calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, but did you know that coffee can interfere with calcium absorption? In fact, too much coffee can actually cause the body to excrete calcium, negatively affecting bone health over time. While you’re probably safe with a cup here and there, waiting about two hours between drinking coffee and taking calcium supplements is best for optimal absorption.
