Chances are, you've probably heard of the nutrient iron before. As a kid, you may remember the not-so-pleasant finger pricks at the doctor's office to check your iron levels, and as an adult, iron levels may have come up in conversations as a reason for low energy levels. But exactly what is iron? What does it do and why do you need it? Here we take a deep dive into why this nutrient is so important for your health, as well as the best food sources of iron, so you can make sure you're getting enough.

Chances are, you've probably heard of the nutrient iron before. As a kid, you may remember the not-so-pleasant finger pricks at the doctor's office to check your iron levels, and as an adult, iron levels may have come up in conversations as a reason for low energy levels. But exactly what is iron? What does it do and why do you need it? Here we take a deep dive into why this nutrient is so important for your health, as well as the best food sources of iron, so you can make sure you're getting enough.

Chances are, you've probably heard of the nutrient iron before. As a kid, you may remember the not-so-pleasant finger pricks at the doctor's office to check your iron levels, and as an adult, iron levels may have come up in conversations as a reason for low energy levels. But exactly what is iron? What does it do and why do you need it? Here we take a deep dive into why this nutrient is so important for your health, as well as the best food sources of iron, so you can make sure you're getting enough.