Foods and drinks that reduce the activity of the thyroid gland
It is important to know the drinks and foods that are suitable for patients with hyperthyroidism, for the treatment to achieve the desired result, so we will learn about drinks that reduce thyroid activity, and foods that can be eaten and should be avoided, in the following lines.
Low iodine drinks and foods
It is important to follow a comprehensive diet of drinks and foods low in iodine, especially in the event of resorting to radioactive iodine treatment, in order to prevent any problems or complications, as iodine may lead to an increase in the production of thyroid hormones, which is what we do not want, on the contrary, we must pay attention to a diet. And drinks that reduce thyroid activity.
Drinks that reduce thyroid activity
As we mentioned, foods and drinks rich in iodine are often not suitable, so we will help you search for available drink options that are low in iodine, including:
- Tea and coffee (without milk): Bearing in mind that they are caffeine drinks that may worsen symptoms, and therefore they should not be overused.
- Fruit juices.
- Lemonade.
- Almond milk.
- Orange juice fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
Useful herbs in the treatment of hyperthyroidism
The available information is contradictory about the benefit or harm of green tea for thyroid patients, so we recommend that you consult your doctor first, whether about drinking green tea or any herbal drinks in general.
As for chamomile tea, it may play a role in fighting thyroid cancer along with other benign gland diseases, but there is still a need to ascertain its effect in general.
Drinks prohibited for patients with hyperthyroidism
There are some drinks that are prohibited for patients with increased activity of the gland, especially caffeine drinks, as this may lead to the emergence of some symptoms such as heart palpitations, anxiety and insomnia.
Among the drinks that should be avoided are:
- Regular coffee drink.
- Chocolate and its drinks.
- Black tea drink.
- soda drinks.
- Drinks known to give energy to the body (energy drinks).
Does milk harm the thyroid gland?
It is important to provide calcium to the body during the period of excess gland activity, especially if the period is prolonged, so it is necessary to search for suitable sources of calcium, but milk and its derivatives are not considered among them, because it is rich in iodine, which may increase the activity of the gland and not reduce it.
After we mentioned drinks, we should not forget the importance of foods that must be introduced or prevented during the journey of treating hyperthyroidism, as they may help calm the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, or make the condition worse, so let’s get to know these foods together.
Foods that reduce thyroid activity
There are foods that may help reduce gland activity, in addition to medical treatment, of course, and these foods include:
- Egg whites.
- Fresh vegetables, or even frozen.
- Vegetable oils are a good choice.
- Honey.
- Oats.
- Nuts, but without salt.
- For meat, moderate amounts should be eaten in general, especially red meat such as beef.
These foods are considered low in iodine, so they may be suitable for patients who are planning to use radioactive iodine for treatment.
Vegetables suitable for patients with hyperthyroidism
Some types of vegetables may also have a role in reducing excess gland activity, so they are not preferred for patients with hypothyroidism. These vegetables include:
- Cabbage and turnip roots too.
- Watercress and radish.
- Cauliflower and broccoli.
Minerals and vitamins
It is important to pay attention to monitoring the proportions of vitamins and minerals in the body, and to compensate for the deficiency of them that is related to hyperactivity of the thyroid gland. These vitamins and minerals include:
- Iron: One of its sources is green leafy vegetables.
- Selenium: One of its sources is oat bran.
- Zinc: One of its sources is chickpeas.
- Vitamin D: One of its sources is fortified orange juice.
Foods prohibited for patients with thyroid activity
As we mentioned before, foods that are prohibited with hyperthyroidism are foods rich in iodine, which are:
- Table salt that contains iodine.
- fish and most seafood.
- Cheese and dairy products.
- yolk.
- molasses.
- soy products.
After knowing the most important foods and drinks that reduce thyroid activity and other foods and drinks that are prohibited, in general you should consult a doctor about everything related to your diet, as each case may differ from the other, and there may be other foods and drinks that are prohibited or allowed, so do not rely on information from those around you you, and consult your doctor.