Iodine is an important micronutrient, a vitamin or mineral that is necessary for good health. It helps the body to produce hormones, helps babies develop in the womb, and is important to many other body processes. In 1924, iodine was added to salt to make up for a lack of public access to dairy foods and ocean fish, which are natural sources of iodine. The modern American diet, however, includes many processed foods that contain iodine. As a result, many salt manufacturers have stopped adding iodine to their product, a change that did not get much attention in the media. Some nutrition experts are concerned that people who still rely on table salt as a source of iodine will have an increase in disease caused by a diet lacking in the micronutrient. Only time will tell, as America moves into a new era where table salt is no longer a guaranteed source of iodine.
In 1–2 sentences, identify and explain the evidence that the author uses to support the idea that taking iodine out of table salt might cause harm.
The author mentions that iodine is necessary for good health, including hormone production and fetal development, and that iodine was added to salt to provide a source of iodine when natural sources were lacking. They also state that many processed foods contain iodine and that salt manufacturers have stopped adding iodine to their product, potentially leading to a lack of iodine in the diet and an increase in diseases caused by its deficiency.
The evidence the author uses to support the idea that taking iodine out of table salt might cause harm is that iodine is an important micronutrient necessary for good health, and its deficiency can lead to various diseases. The author also highlights that the modern American diet, which includes many processed foods, may not provide adequate iodine, thus increasing the risk of disease.
The evidence that the author uses to support the idea that taking iodine out of table salt might cause harm is the fact that iodine is an important micronutrient necessary for various body processes, including hormone production and fetal development, and the modern American diet includes many processed foods that may lack iodine. Removing iodine from table salt may lead to a deficiency in iodine intake for those who rely on it as a source, potentially resulting in increased disease.
