This Metal Rocks: 10 Facts about Iron You Didn’t Know

April 22, 2025

This fellow is a real superhero among other metals! Let us introduce an essential metal and element, without which we can’t live. It colors our blood red — and Mars’s surface! It helps us breathe, supports immune function and even promotes strong, healthy hair.

So what is so remarkable about it?

Facts about Iron

Iron is superabundant. It is the second most abundant metal on Earth and composes about 80% of its inner and outer cores.
Iron is a real gift from outer space. It is the main component of meteorites. Moreover, the first pure iron people used was of space origin.
Canadian and American engineers wear an Iron Ring, as a symbol of their obligations and ethics. It’s traditionally worn on the little finger of the dominant hand. In Canada, the Iron Ring is faceted, while in the USA, it can be smooth.
There are about 4 g of iron in the human body, most of which is in our blood, in the form of hemoglobin.
Iron melts at 1,535 degrees Celsius, and boils when it reaches 2,750 degrees Celsius.
Smelted iron was first used in Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.
Originally iron was called “ferrum” (its symbol in the periodic system is Fe). The word “iron” is believed to come from the Celtic “isarnon”, which can be translated as “holy metal” or “strong metal”.
Iron and steel are super easy for recycling. Moreover, they are both magnetic, which makes it easy to separate them from aluminum and other materials.
The mechanism that makes our blood red and turns apples brown when cut or bruised, is the same. Our blood becomes red due to the oxidation of iron, and apples turn brown because of the oxidation of the organic molecule polyphenol.
Many animals have red blood because it contains iron. However, octopi and other mollusks, and arthropods (centipedes, crabs, spiders, insects, and lots of different creatures with six or more legs) have blue blood because of the copper. Interestingly, tunicates (sea squirts) have green blood because of vanadium.

Iron Benefits for the Body

Oxygen carrier

One of the most important functions of iron is helping us breathe. The metal is a component of hemoglobin, a protein from red cells. It brings oxygen to cells and tissues and carries away carbon dioxide.

Brain function

Oxygen is crucial for our organs, but the brain probably needs it most. You might know that feeling when you open the window or have a good walk outside, and generate new ideas or find a solution.

Immune system

Iron plays a vital role in supporting T-cells, a type of lymphocyte involved in the body's natural defense system. Thus, healthy iron levels help support the immune function.

Other immune cells, neutrophils, also need iron to function normally.

Antioxidant

Yes, this metal, which oxidates very quickly, is crucial for healthy antioxidant function. This mineral is a component of catalase, an enzyme that supports cellular health against oxidation.

Healthy hair

Iron is stored in a protein, called ferritin. Healthy levels of ferritin promote strong, healthy hair.

Overall vitality

Iron is the crucial component of hemoglobin, which helps us to breathe and support energy levels, so we need this mineral to maintain overall vitality.

It is also a component of myoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in the heart and skeletal muscles. A 2023 study describes how healthy iron levels impact physical performance.

Foods Rich in Iron

Depending on the source, iron can be heme or nonheme. Heme iron can only be found in meat, poultry, and seafood, whereas nonheme iron also occurs in plants. Heme iron is better absorbed.

Heme iron

Among foods rich in heme iron are:

fish;
red meat;
poultry (duck, turkey, chicken);
seafood (clams, oysters)
organ meats (liver);
eggs.

Nonheme iron

Nonheme iron occurs in:

spinach;
legumes (peas, beans, lentils, peanuts);
pumpkin seeds;
broccoli;
tofu;
dark chocolate;
apricots;
figs;
potatoes (with skin);
raisins;
pistachios;
almonds.

Remember that some foods, for example, rich in vitamin C (tomatoes, pepper bells, citrus fruits), may support iron absorption, whereas such components as tannins in tea, coffee, or wine, high-fiber foods, dairy products, or calcium supplements may block the absorption of the mineral.

Herbs Rich in Iron

Parsley

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a natural herbal source of iron. It is also one of the herbs rich in vitamin C, which supports iron absorption.

You can easily incorporate it into your daily routines:

Make salads;
Sprinkle it over stews or soups;
Prepare green smoothies;
Take Parsley Capsules or Parsley Leaf Tincture.

Dandelion

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a common weed and is one of the herbs high in iron.

Both its leaves and roots are rich in iron. It is also one of the valuable herbs for body cleansing.

There are a lot of ways to consume dandelion:

Salads;
Herbal teas;
Dandelion Leaf Tincture or Dandelion Leaf Capsules.

Yellow Dock

Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) grows everywhere: fields, meadows, pastures, and roadsides. It is a natural source of iron. The herb also contains antioxidants, such as tannins, and supports digestion.

You can easily consume it with Yellow Dock Capsules or Yellow Dock Tincture.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a natural source of iron, magnesium, and calcium. Remember that the iron-rich part is the leaf, not the root. Read more about wood nettle vs. stinging nettle.

You can make soups, and salads, steep the herb, or take Stinging Nettle Leaf Tincture. Stinging Nettle is also one of the beneficial herbs for men’s health.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is known as “King of Herbs”. One of the benefits of alfalfa is that it is abundant in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It is also one of the herbs for natural detoxification.

Add Alfalfa to salads, burgers, and sandwiches, or blend the herb into smoothies. You can also consume it in Alfalfa Tincture.

Conclusion

Iron is a remarkable element, playing a crucial role in both the natural world and our well-being. From its cosmic origins to its vital function in oxygen transport, immune support, and overall vitality, this metal is indispensable to life.

Whether through iron-rich foods, herbs, or the best iron supplements, maintaining healthy iron levels is essential for supporting various bodily functions. Understanding the importance of iron and incorporating it into a balanced diet can help sustain energy and wellness. So next time you see a piece of iron, remember—it’s more than just metal; it’s a key to life itself!

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