Food is one of the main weapons to ensure the body’s health. A colourful and well-balanced diet helps to keep the body functioning well. However, on the other hand, some food choices can end up doing harm to the body....CONTINUE READING
The thyroid is one of the glands that can be affected by what the individual eats: foods such as soy, sugar and some vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower, when consumed in excess, can impair the functioning of the gland.
To keep the thyroid regulated it is important to maintain a balanced diet with sources of fiber, iodine, selenium, zinc and copper – these are the nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the gland. These can be found in foods such as fish, seafood, whole grains, eggs and nuts.
It is important to remember that, if you already have a thyroid disease, no food should replace the use of medication prescribed by the endocrinologist.
According to WebMD – Some foods which, when consumed in excess and for a long period of time, can harm the thyroid are:
1. Soy and its derivatives
Soya and its derivatives, such as soya milk, tempeh or tofu, are sources of phyto-oestrogens, nutrients which have a similar function to the hormone oestrogen in the body and are beneficial to health.
However, when consumed in large quantities, these foods can deregulate the thyroid and cause hypothyroidism, which is the decreased production of hormones by this gland.
For those who suffer from hypothyroidism, it is recommended to eat soya at most twice a week, so that it does not interfere with the effect of the medication prescribed by the endocrinologist.
2. Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, cabbage, turnip, radish, broccoli, cabbage or Brussels sprouts, are rich in antioxidants important for the prevention of numerous diseases.
However, these vegetables also contain glucosinolates, compounds that decrease the production of hormones in the thyroid, and can cause hypothyroidism in people who consume too little iodine.
The cruciferous vegetables can and should be included in the diet, but without exaggeration and, preferably, once or twice a week, alternating with the consumption of other types of vegetables.
3. Processed food
Processed foods, such as smoked meats, ready-made sauces, ice creams and packaged snacks, contain preservatives, which, in excess, interfere with the absorption of the mineral iodine by the thyroid and can cause hypothyroidism.
The excessive consumption of processed foods is also one of the main causes of weight gain and body fat. The excess fat in the body generates inflammation in several organs, hindering the absorption of iodine by the thyroid, and can also contribute to hypothyroidism.
4. Refined flours and sugar
The exaggerated consumption of sugar, found in foods such as sweets, cakes and ice cream, and refined flours, present in foods such as bread, rice and white pasta, can cause resistance to the insulin hormone, triggering diabetes. This alteration can also lead to the appearance of nodules or even cancer of the thyroid.
