Buzz
Have you ever found yourself so bored at dinner that you start reading the label on the table salt? If so, you might wonder why it's marked as 'iodized.' What does that even mean, and what benefits come with it?
The practice of adding iodine to salt has been a subtle way to ensure people get enough of this essential micronutrient, much like the addition of fluoride to drinking water. Since iodine isn’t produced by the body but is necessary in small amounts for proper thyroid function, it helps the thyroid create thyroxine. This hormone regulates various body functions, including mental clarity. A lack of iodine can cause thyroid issues like goiter, mental impairment, or birth defects.
Iodine is naturally found in coastal regions and is obtained through marine foods like fish and seaweed, with dairy and grains also being common sources. So why add it to salt? In the early 1900s, iodine deficiency was widespread, and there were concerns that the iodine in food wouldn't be sufficient for thyroid health. Certain parts of the U.S., such as the inland Northwest, were even called ‘the goiter belt’ due to a lack of coastal foods. Following the Swiss model, U.S. officials began adding iodine (in the form of potassium iodate or iodide) to table salt.
The benefits were immediately apparent: In Michigan, where iodized salt began to be sold in 1924, the incidence of goiters dropped dramatically, from 30 percent to just 2 percent over the span of a decade.
Thanks to a more diverse diet, iodine deficiency is now rare among Americans. Generally, the iodine from salt is not essential. The exception to this rule is pregnant women, who may be at risk of low iodine levels and should consider taking supplements if recommended by their doctor. Additionally, people who do not consume much fish or milk may want to ensure they get iodine from other sources.
The continued availability of iodized salt serves more as an affordable safety net than a necessity. For those whose diets lack sufficient iodine, a bit of salt can help prevent deficiencies. Since iodine is inexpensive—costing as little as $1 per ton of salt—and generally safe in moderation, it’s likely to remain a staple in households.
