Can Kale cause Hypothyroidism?
"Kale is considered a goitrogenic food, meaning that it contains substances (goitrogens) that may contribute to an enlarged thyroid. In fact, all cruciferous vegetables like kale are considered goitrogenic, including arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, mustard greens, turnips, and watercress."
snip..."How Much Kale Can You Safely Eat?
“The thiocyanate content of kale has not been well-studied, and there are only sparse measurement data from limited reports,” Dr. Leung says. “As such, the exact amount of kale ingestion that may be associated with an adverse thyroid health risk is unknown. However, ingestion of kale—including raw kale—in usual amounts should be fine.”
In some reports, juicing kale is said to be the culprit.
“Although it has not been specifically studied, juicing kale concentrates the vegetable and thus potentially poses a greater risk toward iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism if ingested in large amounts on a very frequent basis,” Dr. Leung says. “These risks may be exacerbated in individuals who are already iodine-deficient, and these may include those with restricted diets, such as vegetarians and vegans.”
Does not sound like a big deal unless you happen to be mainlining it!
I knew Kale and I would always be friends. :)