What kind of interaction is it?

Timing-sensitive: the two substances can be taken on the same day but should be separated by a minimum time window.

Is this interaction backed by published research?

Yes. NutriStack lists 1 citation row for the Ellagic Acid + Iron pair, each linking to PubMed by PMID where available. Full sourcing methodology at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/interactions.

Supplement × Supplement·timing-sensitive·Moderate evidence

Ellagic Acid + Iron

Q: Can I take Ellagic Acid and Iron together?

Yes, if you separate them in time. Ellagic Acid and Iron have a documented timing-sensitive interaction. Ellagic acid and the ellagitannins in pomegranate/berry extracts are polyphenols and tannins that chelate non-heme iron in the gut lumen, which can substantially reduce dietary and supplemental non-heme iron absorption when taken together.

Q: How does this affect a NutriStack Stack Score?

-5 to your Stack Score per scored timing-sensitive row.

Timing Sensitive Moderate evidence

Ellagic acid and the ellagitannins in pomegranate/berry extracts are polyphenols and tannins that chelate non-heme iron in the gut lumen, which can substantially reduce dietary and supplemental non-heme iron absorption when taken together.

Supplement × Supplement

Open the interaction checker → Read the methodology

From the database

What the row says.

Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, and the recommendation.

Substances

Ellagic Acid and Iron

Pair type

Timing Sensitive

Evidence

Moderate

Source citations

Scope

Supplement × Supplement

Last verified

June 4, 2026

Timing SensitiveModerate evidence

What is happening. Ellagic acid and the ellagitannins in pomegranate/berry extracts are polyphenols and tannins that chelate non-heme iron in the gut lumen, which can substantially reduce dietary and supplemental non-heme iron absorption when taken together.

Mechanism. Phenolic hydroxyl/galloyl groups form insoluble, poorly absorbed complexes with ferric/ferrous iron in the intestinal lumen, inhibiting non-heme iron uptake (a well-documented tannin effect).

Recommendation. Separate ellagic acid (and tannin-rich pomegranate/berry extracts) from iron supplements by at least 2 hours. This is especially important for people being treated for iron-deficiency anemia.

Timing

Timing & separation.

Space the doses apart by at least this window to avoid the conflict.

Minimum separation

120

Stack Score

How it moves the number.

Effect on the composite score

If both Ellagic Acid and Iron are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).

The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are at /methodology/stack-score.

Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Every claim on this page is cited. PMIDs link straight to PubMed.

Reference material

1Hurrell RF, Reddy M, Cook JD. Inhibition of non-haem iron absorption in man by polyphenolic-containing beverages. British Journal of Nutrition. 1999.Needs sourceNo link

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