Is cauliflower good for thyroid? Yes, unless you have hypothyroidism. However, the bad reputation of cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower on the thyroid is not just black and white.
One can consider the belief that cauliflower is bad for thyroid as a myth. Instead, treat cauliflower as you would with any food. Consult your doctor with a diet suitable for your condition and do not go beyond or under the recommended intake of cauliflower.
Is Cauliflower Beneficial For Thyroid?
Cauliflower is good for the thyroid, especially for someone with hyperthyroidism. According to Oregon State University, the processes involving goitrin and glucosinolate can interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis and iodine uptake of the gland. This explains why vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli cause hypothyroidism in animals, but these vegetables can be beneficial if you have hyperthyroidism.
The key takeaway here is to consume cruciferous vegetables alongside other dark green vegetables per week at one and a half to two and a half cups per the dietary guidelines. Make sure to cook them thoroughly to release the enzymes so that you can still achieve a healthy diet that is safe for the thyroid. At the same time, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider if you have other conditions that would influence your diet.
Most people would be surprised that cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables are good for thyroid health, especially with hyperthyroidism. Also, the compounds in cauliflower promote health benefits. This includes cardiovascular health and lower risk of cancer.
Skipping cauliflower can also mean you’re preventing yourself from having a healthy diet composed of mixed vegetables. Cauliflower is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory compounds that are important for overall health. And one can make the connection of how overall health also impacts the thyroid.
Why Is Cauliflower Bad For Thyroid?
Cauliflower is bad for thyroid because it has compounds that interfere with the iodine usage of the gland. According to Dr. John Morris III of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, cruciferous vegetables affect the thyroid’s ability to absorb iodine. Therefore, people with hypothyroidism should moderate their consumption of cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables.
The main reason why cauliflower has this negative attribute to thyroid health is that it’s a source of glucosinolates. You can consider these sulfur-containing compounds as goitrogens, which interferes with the gland’s use of iodine. The thyroid needs iodine to produce thyroid hormone to prevent interference that can cause a drop in the hormone level.
Still, it’s worth emphasizing that the amount of intake should be massive before cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower becomes very detrimental to the thyroid. And because their effect is on the gland itself, the impact of these foods would not be significant on how much thyroid hormone you can produce. Overall, maintain a healthy and balanced diet with reasonable amounts of cauliflower, and your thyroid health should not face any problem.
Remember that alongside moderation and regular amount of consumption, you can also cook cauliflower well to make it healthier for the thyroid. The goitrogenic properties of cruciferous vegetables will lessen in the process of cooking. You and your doctor will find a way to weigh the cauliflower’s risks and benefits depending on your thyroid health.
What Vegetables Are Good For Thyroid?
There’s no doubt that vegetables will be beneficial for thyroid health. If you need suggestions, cruciferous vegetables, green leafy vegetables, turmeric, carrots, and beans are excellent for the thyroid gland. However, if you’re confused about seeing some vegetables in the list of no-nos for thyroid, some are better moderated if you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
If you want to maintain a healthy thyroid, you can grow these crops yourself in a greenhouse. Refer to Krostrade.com to learn how you can access these vegetables regardless of your location and climate. As a bonus, gardening can relieve stress, so you are also strengthening your emotional and mental health.
Cruciferous vegetables
As previously explained, cruciferous vegetables are good for thyroid as long as you consume the recommended amounts. So while vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard greens, kale, and arugula can interfere with iodine uptake, they will be beneficial for a person with hyperthyroidism. At the same time, green vegetables like those mentioned are rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, and these have beneficial effects against thyroid cancer.
Green leafy vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables are not the only green vegetables that are good for the thyroid gland. Leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach will make your thyroid happy. For example, zinc, selenium, iron, and magnesium are some of the minerals that play a role in thyroid health.
You can get them in leafy greens, especially spinach. Zinc deficiency has a link with hypothyroidism, while the body requires selenium to metabolize thyroid hormones. Selenium will help the body achieve normal thyroid levels while also relieving autoimmune thyroid diseases.
Additionally, the iron and magnesium in green leafy vegetables are essential for the gland’s function. Iron is beneficial for thyroid metabolism, while patients with hyperthyroidism have low magnesium levels. Adding green leafy vegetables on your diet can maintain a healthy functioning of the thyroid gland.
Turmeric
What starts with T and also good for the thyroid? The vibrant turmeric is a spice that you can add in your meals for the benefit of thyroid health. Studies have even shown how turmeric reduces thyroid disorders due to iodine deficiency and goitrogen usage.
The curcumin content of turmeric is another reason why turmeric is good for thyroid. For starters, curcumin can reduce the risk of thyroid cancer by blocking the formation of thyroid cancer cells. Curcumin can also be protective of the thyroid by acting as an antioxidant.
Carrots
Another thyroid-friendly crop that you can grow yourself is the carrot. It is a good source of antioxidants such as beta-carotene, which is also the precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A itself plays a role in the activation of thyroid hormone receptors, and eating carrots can help with thyroid function and health.
Legumes
Legumes, like cauliflower, have a terrible reputation when it comes to thyroid. However, with the proper consumption, you can benefit from their zinc content. Zinc increases the level of thyroid hormones, and legumes promote the antioxidant properties of yogurt, which is another thyroid-friendly food.
Is Banana Good For Thyroid?
Bananas are good for thyroid because of its properties that help against inflammation. In turn, bananas can alleviate the symptoms of thyroid diseases. Thyroid diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can also cause neurologic manifestations because thyroid hormones act as neurotransmitters.
Therefore, thyroid diseases can cause a change in mood, which can lead to other conditions. Since our bodies can convert the tryptophan in bananas into serotonin, we can relieve the neurologic conditions from thyroid disorders. Thyroid hormone also affects the digestive tract, and if you’re suffering from constipation due to hypothyroidism, bananas can help.
The fiber content of bananas is not just beneficial for digestion. People who have hypothyroidism can also take advantage of banana’s fiber content to aid in weight loss. Thyroid patients have difficulty metabolizing carbohydrates and lowering the cholesterol and glycemic index, and fiber-rich foods like bananas can help with these.
We all know that bananas are a good source of potassium, and did you know that potassium has a relation with thyroid? Potassium is responsible for the nerve and muscle cell functions. Therefore, one can notice that lacking potassium can contribute to the symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Is Edamame Good For Thyroid?
Alongside cruciferous vegetables, you have probably heard of avoiding soy, such as edamame, if you have a thyroid condition. However, a 2019 study has clarified that soy has no adverse effects on thyroid function. The study has also found that soy does not alter the thyroid hormones in the body.
The basis for the concern of consuming edamame if one has a thyroid condition is because of its isoflavones. Animal studies in the past have proposed the relation of goiter and low thyroid with these chemical components. However, Harvard Health Publishing confirmed that soy shouldn’t cause thyroid problems.
It’s possible to experience a depletion in thyroid hormone level because of soy, but it’s unlikely for someone to reach a very high intake. Consider talking with your doctor to see how much soy you can include in your diet. Soy might also interfere with your body’s absorption of thyroid medication, so wait at least four hours before taking your medication if you’ve eaten soy.
Overall, the effects of edamame for thyroid will be affected by the person’s iodine intake. And in a sense, edamame can also be useful for thyroid because it can increase the dose of thyroid hormone. So hypothyroid patients that need this effect can benefit from edamame.
Is Curd Good For Thyroid Patients?
Curd can be useful for thyroid patients as it has similarities with yogurt. The two have similar preparation techniques, but yogurt undergoes fermentation because of two bacteria strains. So if you’re thinking of consuming curd for thyroid health, it is sensible.
What makes yogurt suitable for thyroid patients? The straightforward explanation is that it is a good source of iodine. St. Luke’s Health has even considered yogurt and other dairy products as thyroid superfoods.
Because of yogurt’s iodine content, one can prevent conditions like goiter. Remember that the thyroid gland uses iodine to make hormones, and it will have to compensate if you don’t have enough iodine. You can also consume yogurt fortified with vitamin D to lower the risk of autoimmune thyroid disease.
How Can I Heal My Thyroid Naturally?
You can heal thyroid naturally and maintain its proper functioning by having a healthy diet and regular exercise. This advice might seem obvious to keep an organ healthy and treat any problems, but you might not be aware of unhealthy habits. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are more manageable if you start eating healthy.
5 foods that are good for thyroid
Alongside a diet of various vegetables, seaweed, meat, berries, nuts, and fish are five foods that are good for thyroid. Having a balanced diet can help you heal your thyroid naturally. In addition to exercise and regular check-up, get your iodine, zinc, antioxidants, and selenium for thyroid health in these foods.
Seaweed
The iodine content of seaweed is the reason why it is natural thyroid-healing food. The body needs iodine to prevent the shortage of thyroid hormone. However, do note to still eat seaweed in moderation as some species like Kombu kelp contain up to 2,000% DV in one gram.
Meat
Meats like beef and chicken are a good source of zinc. Zinc is good for thyroid because it is essential in the production of thyroid hormones. At the same time, the body needs zinc in the conversion of T4 to T3.
Berries
Alongside vegetables, you can also grow berries in your greenhouse to get antioxidants that are beneficial against hypothyroidism. Add strawberries, cranberries, blackberries, and goji berries in your diet. The correlation of antioxidants with thyroid healing and health is because of the protection against oxidative stress.
Nuts
Nuts are a great source of selenium, a mineral that plays a significant role in thyroid hormone metabolism. You can also benefit from the magnesium in nuts, and goiter is related to the deficiency of this mineral. Besides, magnesium helps convert T4 into T3 for proper metabolism.
Fish
Fish like salmon, sea bass, and cod are rich in selenium. This helps with inflammation, alongside their omega-3 content. Fishes are also rich in iodine, which is vital for the production of thyroid hormones.
Conclusion
Diet plays a significant role in thyroid health, so the foods we eat can be beneficial or detrimental for this gland. Is cauliflower good for thyroid? In a sense, it’s suitable for someone with hyperthyroidism.
On the other hand, patients with hypothyroidism must eat cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower in moderation. The negative attribute of cauliflower towards the thyroid gland is that it influences how the gland uses iodine. Therefore, having a high intake of cauliflower if you have hypothyroidism can complicate the condition.