Food Sources That Can Impact Thyroid Health

Coffee

Countless individuals rely on a morning cup of coffee to get out of the house on time, but unfortunately, it can also be affecting their thyroid health, especially if they are taking certain medications, as caffeine has been shown to block the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement medications. Patients who take their thyroid medication in the morning should be sure to take it with water and wait at least thirty minutes before drinking coffee. If they need something warm first thing in the morning, they should try herbal tea or hot water with lemon.

High Sodium Foods

Too much sodium affects the function of the thyroid gland in many different ways. Firstly, sodium increases water retention, which can lead to weight gain that disrupts hormone levels. An underactive thyroid also puts individuals at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Due to the significant influence of excessive sodium on thyroid gland function, individuals should monitor their sodium intake daily. Hypothyroidism patients should limit their daily intake of sodium to 1500 milligrams per day. To help with this, individuals should consider replacing fast food and fried food with fresh produce or salads with olive oil and vinegar dressing. Reducing the consumption of processed food can also be quite helpful.