Overconsumption of a ‘super food’ is not a super idea.
Honestly, I like kale. I eat it a few times a month but it’s
just a leafy green vegetable. It’s not chocolate. Luckily, no
studies show that chocolate is going to give you hypothyroidism…Diabetes?
Possibly, but my thyroid is clear to go.
You have to eat a lot of kale for it to be ‘bad’ for you
over a respectable period of time but kale has been in everything: juicing,
smoothies, salads, and sandwiches to name a few.
It’s popular because it’s virtually calorie-free, high in
fiber, iron, and other micronutrients.
It also has crummy goitrin which according to the Oregon
State University Micronutrient Information site: “Very high intakes of
cruciferous vegetables have been found to cause hypothyroidism (insufficient
thyroid hormone) in animals.”
Apparently, a little grandma was in a coma from severe
hypothyroidism after consuming 2-3 lbs. of raw bok choy for several
months.
Now, let’s think about things.
This is one study. It uses the term ‘animals’,
currently, we are not testing humans who eat 3 lbs. of kale per day for several
months. So if you eat about 1-2 lbs of kale per month the world is
probably not ending. If you eat 1-2 lbs. of kale and also have hypothyroidism,
you’re not making yourself skinnier.
Also, cruciferous vegetables also include broccoli and
cauliflower. Back in my undergrad days, we learned that you just need to
steam cruciferous vegetables or roast. Heat practically kills goitrin so
you can enjoy the health benefits of some of these foods.
What do take away from this?
1. If you eat
2 lbs. of any one vegetable or anything there’s probably some side effect we
have yet to discover.
2. One study
doesn’t always result in a cause and effect analysis. If I eat one salad,
I will not be skinny. If I eat one pint of Ben and Jerry’s I will not be
fat.
