If you’ve been feeling utterly wiped out lately, you’d be forgiven for blaming December’s relentless social frenzy. Between office Christmas parties, school nativity plays, and endless festive catch-ups with friends, exhaustion feels almost inevitable at this time of year.
But what if that bone-deep tiredness you’re feeling isn’t because (or at least not just because) you’ve been burning the candle at both ends?
New analysis of NHS hospital records has uncovered something that might be a factor: Britain seems to be in the grip of a quiet health crisis, with iron deficiency-related hospital admissions soaring by over 1,000% in the past 25 years. The new research, carried out by Free Soul, a leading women’s wellness brand, reveals that women are twice as likely to be affected, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all cases.
Between 1998/99 and 2024/25, admissions jumped from just over 20,000 to nearly 218,000 a year. And these figures only relate to the most severe cases. Nutritional experts warn that for every person ending up in hospital, there are countless others silently struggling with fatigue that’s impacting their daily lives.
So what’s behind this dramatic rise? One contributing factor that health professionals point to is the proliferation of ultra-processed foods in our diets, which, convenient as they are, tend to be woefully lacking in the nutrients our bodies actually need. And let’s be honest, even women who usually eat well for the rest of the year will often find themselves reaching for the easy options in the run up to Christmas. Shop-bought mince pies, endless bowls of party snacks, frozen canapés, pre-prepared nibbles they’re all festive staples.
Iron plays a crucial role in producing haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen around our bodies, and ultra-processed foods are usually very iron poor.
When your iron levels drop, the effects can be debilitating: extreme fatigue, heart palpitations, breathlessness, persistent headaches, pale skin, and that foggy feeling where you just can’t seem to concentrate properly. Sound familiar?
“Iron is essential for producing haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body. Without sufficient iron, people can develop anaemia, leading to extreme tiredness and weakness that can really undermine their quality of life,” explains Natalie Rouse, Registered Nutritionist and Head of Nutrition at Free Soul.
“In the most severe cases hospitalisation might be necessary, which means that this NHS hospital admissions data is really just the tip of the iceberg. There will be far more adults in the UK suffering from a level of iron deficiency that doesn’t warrant a visit to hospital but could still be impacting their quality of life and causing fatigue.
“Despite long-standing evidence of widespread shortfalls in women’s iron status, this message often fails to reach or resonate with the public and even when it does, it’s not consistently acted upon. Too often, it’s dismissed as ‘just the way things have always been,’ yet the consequences are significant: iron deficiency can have a serious, long-term impact on health and wellbeing, with lasting effects that extend far beyond immediate symptoms.”
The good news is that this is something we can actually do something about. Rouse recommends being proactive about iron intake, especially if you’re experiencing any telltale symptoms.
“Preventing iron deficiency before it occurs is always the best approach, which means including enough iron-rich foods in the diet. For vegetarians and vegans, iron absorption can be enhanced by combining non-haem sources with vitamin C-rich foods and being mindful of consuming inhibitors like tea and coffee around meal times.
“I always recommend that individuals who are concerned about their iron levels should: Incorporate iron-rich foods into their diet, like beans, nuts, dried fruit, fortified cereals, and red meat (provided the individual isn’t vegan or vegetarian); Consider iron supplementation, particularly for women with heavy periods or for people who are following a vegan or vegetarian diet; Pair iron-rich foods with good sources of vitamin C in order to enhance iron absorption; Consult their GP if they’re experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency.”
Free Soul’s range of nutritional supplements includes iron-fortified products like its Vegan Protein Blend, which has been specifically formulated to support women’s health and bridge the nutritional gaps that modern diets can leave.
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