Foods to Be Avoided by Goiter Patients

A person develops goiter when his or her thyroid gland is enlarged. Enlargement of the thyroid gland occurs when it fails to secrete enough hormone required by our body. If you have goiter, you should avoid consuming certain foods. This article will inform you about the foods to be avoided by patients with goiter.

Cruciferous vegetables are rich in sulfur compounds known as glucosinolates. Breaking of the glucosinolates results in production of byproducts known as isothiocyanates. In a medical study conducted in the year 1995 it was found that isothiocyanates blocks iodine absorption and uptake by thyroid gland, which results in formation of goiter. According to majority of the medical experts, the leading cause of goiter is iodine deficiency. When you consume cruciferous vegetables, you are indirectly stopping iodine from affecting the thyroid gland positively. Some examples of cruciferous vegetables are: kale, Brussels sprout, broccoli, turnips, cauliflower, cabbage, mustard, kohlrabi and rutabaga. The goitrogenic effects of these vegetables are further enhanced if they are consumed in raw form.

Patients suffering from goiter must stay away from soybeans and all kinds of soy products. According to several clinical studies, soybeans offer anti-thyroid effects. Some of the soy products that goiter patients must avoid are: tofu, soy bars, soy milk, soy yogurt etc. Some salad dressings and mayonnaise also contain soy as the base ingredient. If you have goiter check the label of such products well before purchasing them.

Some other food types that can worsen the conditions of patients with goiter are: millet, peaches, peanuts, strawberries, spinach and radish. Each of these food items is rich source of flavonoids, which are compounds offering wide array of health benefits.  However, according to medical studies, some of the flavonoids present in these foods interfere with the functions of the thyroid gland resulting in formation of goiter.