Why is the Use of Iodised Salt Advisable?

Dr.Navneet Gill, 3 mins read

We Indians love to have delicious, mouth-licking and seasoned foods. Among many condiments, salt has another place in our kitchen wardrobes. It not only adds flavour to our meals but also helps to preserve home-cooked and processed foods. But do you know the salt you use at home does more than this?

Yes, the salt we use for cooking purposes is iodised. What does this mean? Well, in simple terms, iodised salt is refined table salt with added iodine. But why is using iodised salt over non-iodized salt advisable, though many believe non-iodized salt has a better taste?

The answer lies in the benefits of iodised salt that outweigh the taste of non-iodised salt. Iodine is a vital mineral that helps our body to make thyroid hormones. These hormones play a critical role in body functions like metabolism, heart, growth, and digestion. Let’s explore more about iodised salt.

What is an Iodised Salt?

Iodised salt is a type of salt containing small amounts of sodium iodide or potassium chloride. The majority of salts used for cooking purposes have iodine. But why iodised salt?

The reason is the increasing risk of iodine deficiency in around 1.5 billion people. This is because of the lack of iodine in the diet, especially those who live away from sea areas. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also at risk of iodine deficiency because they require more iodine. A deficiency of this trace mineral can cause a range of problems like goitre, a swelling in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland.

India is one such country where most people lack iodine in their regular diet, especially those who follow vegetarian and vegan diets without iodised salts. That’s why the regulatory bodies have made iodised salts a preferred choice for cooking purposes.

What Are the Advantages of Iodised Salt?

• Improves thyroid function: Iodine is an essential element to regulate thyroid hormone production. These hormones include triiodothyronine and thyroxine, which help in regulating blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. These hormones also aid in brain development and growth.
• Helps keep weight under control: Your metabolism is directly dependent on the thyroid. On the one hand, slow metabolism can cause fat accumulation, which can lead to weight gain. On the other hand, high metabolism may not help you get a healthy weight. Thus, having an appropriate dose of iodine can keep your thyroid healthy, which can ultimately keep your metabolism happy.
• Supports a healthy pregnancy: Iodine helps in the mental and physical growth of the unborn baby. It also helps in combating cretinism, an iodine deficiency syndrome that causes retarded physical and mental growth at birth. A balanced iodine level also prevents hypothyroidism and miscarriage.
• Good for heart and overall health: Iodized salt helps produce hormones that regulate heart rate and blood pressure. It also helps burn extra fat, maintain water level and balance electrolytes, which is crucial for the functioning of cells, muscles, tissues and organs.

Iodine also has a counter-effect on harmful metals like mercury and lead. It also helps restore the normal pH level and prevent multiplying of numerous bacteria in the intestine.