Study by the University of Graz shows: Vegan milk alternatives contain hardly any iodine

Iodine is a vital trace element that is predominantly found in animal products. Those who do without iodised salt in a vegan diet risk an undersupply, as a study by the University of Graz on milk substitutes in Scotland shows.

Vegan nutrition is in vogue. However, this can lead to an undersupply of certain trace elements. Researchers at the University of Graz have therefore examined the concentration of iodine in vegan milk substitutes. The result: the iodine content in dairy products is many times higher than in the vegan alternatives.

The main source of iodine in Austria is actually normal table salt. However, there is also salt without the trace element in supermarkets, says study leader and co-author Jörg Feldmann: "Anyone who eats a vegan diet should really make sure to always buy iodised salt when shopping."

The element is indispensable for humans. "All organ systems in humans (especially the nervous system) depend on iodine," explains the professor at the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Graz and Honoury Professor at the University of Aberdeen.

Iodine is also important for maintaining body temperature and for the division and growth of cells. An undersupply can become noticeable through an enlargement of the thyroid gland as a goitre. Mental retardation and sluggishness can also occur.

Table salt without iodine

However, the starting point of the study was not Austria, but Scotland. In Great Britain, it is not the salt that is enriched with iodine, but the feed for cows. The increased concentration in dairy products is supposed to supply the population with the trace element. The study now shows: whoever does without animal protein in Great Britain risks an undersupply.

Publication:

Ali Alzahrani, Rainer Ebel, Gareth Norton, Andrea Raab, Joerg Feldmann. Iodine in plant-based dairy products is not sufficient in the UK: A market survey. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 79

Roman Vilgut

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