One out of every eight women suffers from thyroid. This is a common disease found in women. More cases of thyroid are found in women than men. To get relief from this, avoid including certain food items in your diet.

To keep the body healthy, it is necessary to maintain control over eating habits. In this era of processed food, the body has to face many problems due to excessive consumption of fats, salt and sugar. One of them is hyperthyroidism. In this condition, due to the thyroid gland being overactive, the body starts producing thyroid hormones in abundance. More cases of thyroid are found in women than men. Know what is hyperthyroidism and which foods should be avoided to avoid it (foods to avoid in hyperthyroidism).

What is hyperthyroidism?

Dr P Venkat Krishnan, Senior Physician at Artemis Hospital Gurugram, explains that the thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped organ on the neck. The hormones secreted from this gland prove to be helpful in many functions in the body including growth and metabolism. This causes secretion of hormones like triiodothyroxine and thyroxine, but due to many reasons hormonal imbalance starts increasing in the body. In such a situation, the thyroid gland becomes overactive and increases production.

Due to hyperthyroidism, irregularity in periods starts increasing. Image: Adobe Stock

How does it affect the body (How hyperthyroidism affect the body)

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, one out of every eight women suffers from thyroid. This is a common disease found in women. Due to overactive thyroid, one not only has to face irregularities in the period cycle but its effect on ovulation is also visible. Due to this, women have to face infertility, apart from this, increase in thyroid hormone affects the health of both mother and child.

According to the report of Office on Women's Health, due to increase in the risk of hyperthyroidism in the body, women start losing weight. Apart from this, weakness of bones starts increasing, which increases the risk of osteoporosis. Apart from this, women have to face low energy level, mood swings, frequent urination, stress and lack of libido.

Avoid consuming these foods (Foods to avoid in hyperthyroidism)

1. Avoid excess iodine

Excessive amounts of iodine in the diet may increase the risk of hyperthyroidism. According to the National Institute of Health, this micronutrient obtained from iodine-rich salt and foods increases the production of thyroid hormones. According to research, 304 micrograms of iodine is found in 1 teaspoon of salt. But the body requires 150 micrograms a day. In such a situation, avoid seafood and processed food.

2. Limit soy consumption

Soy products contain high amounts of goitrogens, which interfere with the function of the thyroid gland. Apart from soy products, it is also found in cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Apart from strawberries, also avoid peanuts in your diet. To prevent hypothyroidism, include probiotics, seeds and nuts in your diet.

Soy products contain high amounts of goitrogens, which interfere with the function of the thyroid gland. Image: Shutterstock

3. Foods containing caffeine

Consuming excessive amounts of caffeine increases thyroid hormone. In such a situation, caffeine-containing foods and beverages like coffee, tea, soda and chocolate should be avoided in the diet. Apart from hormonal imbalance, this also increases anxiety, fatigue, nervousness and irritability. Caffeine can be replaced with herbal tea.

4. Gluten increases the risk of hyperthyroidism

The gluten found in breads, pasta, wraps, cookies and beverages can cause bloating, diarrhea and stomach pain. At the same time, there is a risk of inflammation in the thyroid gland. According to the report of the National Library of Medicine, gluten rich diet increases the production of antibodies in the body, which attack the thyroid gland.

The gluten found in breads, pasta, wraps, cookies and beverages can cause bloating, diarrhea and stomach pain.

Consume these foods

Eat a diet rich in antioxidants. For this, include berries and fruits with low glycemic index in your diet.
Vitamin D deficiency is proven to be the cause of autoimmune diseases. In such a situation, consuming Vitamin D supplements proves beneficial.
To maintain proper thyroid function, maintain proper amount of copper and zinc. For this, consume legumes, spinach, beans, potatoes, nuts and seeds.
Iron and calcium are also essential for the body. This not only strengthens the bones but can also overcome the increasing fatigue and anemia in the body.