Foods high in phytate (e.g. wheat-based cereals, soy flour and products, lentis, seeds, some nuts) and containing polyphenols (e.g. tea, coffee, cocoa,red wine) can strongly inhibit iron absorption from non-heam food sources, when consumed concurrently.Black tea and coffee contain almost twice as much polyphenoi (expressed as tannin equivalents) as herb teas and green teas, which have similar amounts of tannin as red wine. Iron absorption is affected only when these beverages are consumed around the same time as iron-rich non-haem sources. White wine and other alcoholic beverages have only trace amoounts of tannin and so have little effect on non-haem iron absorption. Athletes at risk of or diagnosed with iron depletion should avoid concurrent consumption of foods with high levels of inhibitors.