Do tea, coffee, wine, cacao and whole grains really inhibit the absorption of iron?

True, but reversible: Calcium which is found in dairy, sardines, canned salmon, tofu, broccoli, almonds, figs, turnip greens and rhubarb is the only compound that blocks Iron absorption. Avoid taking Iron within 2 hours of Calcium rich foods. Phytates, which are found in most plant foods, can reduce iron absorption by up to 80%. But vitamin C—consumed along with a meal--can counteract that effect.