Final answer:
Pregnant women and premenopausal women require higher amounts of iron due to increased demand during pregnancy and menstrual blood losses. The highest recommended intake is for pregnant women, who need about 27 mg daily. Other groups needing more iron include vegetarians and individuals with iron-deficiency anemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Groups that should ingest higher amounts of iron include vegetarians, adolescent males, but most notably, pregnant women and premenopausal women. Pregnant women need the highest amount, around 27 mg daily, as iron is critical for the development of the fetus and the expansion of blood volume. Additionally, individuals with iron-deficiency anemia, which is the most common nutritional deficiency globally, require more iron. This condition is particularly prevalent among children, adolescents, and women of childbearing age.
Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which transports oxygen throughout the body. Good sources of iron include shellfish, red meats, seeds, nuts, legumes, and fortified breakfast cereals. Pairing iron-rich foods with vitamin C-rich foods can enhance iron absorption. Conversely, certain populations such as postmenopausal women and healthy adult males typically have negligible additional dietary iron requirements unless they experience a deficiency.