Iodised salt: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:57, 21 February 2025

Salt mixed with a minute amount of various iodine-containing salts

Iodised salt (also spelled iodized salt) is table salt mixed with a minute amount of various iodine-containing salts. The ingestion of iodine prevents iodine deficiency. Worldwide, iodine deficiency affects about two billion people and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Iodised salt is used to help reduce these deficiencies.

History[edit]

The practice of adding iodine to salt began in the early 20th century. The first country to implement a nationwide iodisation program was Switzerland in 1922. The United States followed in 1924, and many other countries have since adopted similar measures.

Production[edit]

Iodised salt is produced by spraying regular salt with a potassium iodate or potassium iodide solution. The amount of iodine added is small, typically around 20 to 40 mg of iodine per kilogram of salt. This process ensures that the iodine is evenly distributed throughout the salt.

Health Benefits[edit]

Iodine is an essential nutrient for the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, and development. Iodine deficiency can lead to a range of health issues, including goiter, hypothyroidism, and developmental delays in children. Iodised salt is an effective way to ensure adequate iodine intake in the diet.

Global Usage[edit]

Share of households consuming iodized salt

The use of iodised salt is widespread, with many countries mandating its use to combat iodine deficiency. However, the level of consumption varies globally, with some regions still experiencing significant iodine deficiency.

Variants[edit]

In addition to iodine, some iodised salts also contain other additives such as fluoride and folic acid. These variants are designed to address multiple nutritional deficiencies simultaneously.

Related Pages[edit]

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-[[File:Global iodized salt logo.jpg|thumb]] [[File: Iodized salt packet.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Iodised salt.JPG|thumb]] [[File:Share-of-households-consuming-iodized-salt.png|thumb]] Iodised Salt
+{{Short description|Salt mixed with a minute amount of various iodine-containing salts}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
+'''Iodised salt''' (also spelled '''iodized salt''') is table salt mixed with a minute amount of various iodine-containing salts. The ingestion of iodine prevents iodine deficiency. Worldwide, iodine deficiency affects about two billion people and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Iodised salt is used to help reduce these deficiencies.
-Iodised salt, also known as iodized salt, is table salt mixed with a minute amount of various iodine-containing salts. The ingestion of iodine prevents iodine deficiency, which affects about two billion people worldwide and is the leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Iodised salt is used to help reduce the incidence of iodine deficiency in humans.
+== History ==
+[[File:Stamp_of_Indonesia_-_1996_-_Colnect_253494_-_UNICEF.jpeg|thumb|left|Stamp of Indonesia promoting iodised salt]]
+The practice of adding iodine to salt began in the early 20th century. The first country to implement a nationwide iodisation program was Switzerland in 1922. The United States followed in 1924, and many other countries have since adopted similar measures.
-* History
+== Production ==
+[[File:Iodized_salt_packet.jpg|thumb|right|A packet of iodized salt]]
+Iodised salt is produced by spraying regular salt with a potassium iodate or potassium iodide solution. The amount of iodine added is small, typically around 20 to 40 mg of iodine per kilogram of salt. This process ensures that the iodine is evenly distributed throughout the salt.
-The practice of adding iodine to salt began in the early 20th century. In 1924, the United States began adding iodine to salt to combat the widespread problem of goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland caused by iodine deficiency. This public health initiative was successful in significantly reducing the incidence of goiter and other iodine deficiency disorders.
+== Health Benefits ==
+Iodine is an essential nutrient for the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, and development. Iodine deficiency can lead to a range of health issues, including goiter, hypothyroidism, and developmental delays in children. Iodised salt is an effective way to ensure adequate iodine intake in the diet.
-* Chemistry
+== Global Usage ==
+[[File:Share-of-households-consuming-iodized-salt.png|thumb|left|Share of households consuming iodized salt]]
+The use of iodised salt is widespread, with many countries mandating its use to combat iodine deficiency. However, the level of consumption varies globally, with some regions still experiencing significant iodine deficiency.
-Iodised salt is typically produced by adding potassium iodate (KIO₃) or potassium iodide (KI) to table salt (sodium chloride, NaCl). The amount of iodine added is small, typically around 20 to 40 mg of iodine per kilogram of salt. This concentration is sufficient to provide the recommended daily intake of iodine for most individuals.
+== Variants ==
+[[File:Jodsalz_mit_Fluor_und_Folsaeure.jpg|thumb|right|Iodised salt with fluoride and folic acid]]
-* Health Benefits
+In addition to iodine, some iodised salts also contain other additives such as fluoride and folic acid. These variants are designed to address multiple nutritional deficiencies simultaneously.
-Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, and development. Adequate iodine intake is crucial for:
-* '''Preventing Goiter''': Iodine deficiency can lead to the development of goiter.
-* '''Preventing Intellectual Disabilities''': Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can lead to cretinism, a condition characterized by severe intellectual disability and developmental delays.
-* '''Supporting Metabolic Health''': Thyroid hormones play a key role in regulating metabolic processes.
-* Public Health Impact
-The introduction of iodised salt has been one of the most successful public health interventions. It has led to a significant reduction in the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations recommend universal salt iodization as a strategy to eliminate iodine deficiency.
-* Controversies and Challenges
-While iodised salt has been effective in reducing iodine deficiency, there are challenges and controversies associated with its use:
-* '''Overconsumption of Salt''': Public health campaigns often focus on reducing salt intake to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Balancing iodine intake with reduced salt consumption is a challenge.
-* '''Iodine Sensitivity''': Some individuals may be sensitive to iodine and could experience adverse effects from excessive iodine intake.
-* '''Stability of Iodine''': Iodine can be volatile and may evaporate from salt over time, especially in humid conditions, reducing its effectiveness.
-* Alternatives and Supplements
-In addition to iodised salt, iodine can be obtained from other dietary sources such as seafood, dairy products, and iodine-fortified foods. In regions where iodised salt is not available, iodine supplements may be used to prevent deficiency.
-==Also see==
+== Related Pages ==
 * [[Iodine deficiency]]
 * [[Thyroid hormone]]
 * [[Goiter]]
 * [[Salt]]
-* [[Public health]]
+* [[Nutrition]]
-{{Iodine}}
-{{Salt}}
-[[Category:Nutrition]]
-[[Category:Public health]]
 [[Category:Food additives]]
+[[Category:Salt]]
+[[Category:Iodine]]