Drinks that may be harmful for your thyroid

When it comes to thyroid health, we talk about what you eat. But did you know that what you drink can also influence your thyroid function – particularly if you already have a thyroid condition?

Some beverages can have a beneficial effect on thyroid function. But unfortunately, others can have a potentially harmful impact. So let’s shed some light on the everyday drinks that may be having a negative influence on your thyroid health.

Drinks that may be harmful for your thyroid

Coffee

You know I had to start with the most controversial! Many people love their coffee, as it helps to invigorate and boost energy levels. But this caffeine-packed beverage is also influencing your thyroid function.

Coffee can affect the balance of stress hormones, which has a ripple effect on thyroid hormones. It can also influence the conversion of thyroid hormones.

A big part of the coffee puzzle is your timing. Ideally, you will have your coffee after your breakfast, with around 10am being a good time cortisol-wise.

Timing is particularly important for those who take thyroid medication. For example, coffee can reduce your absorption of thyroxine by 30% - which is a significant amount of your dose!

If you have a thyroid condition, make sure that you adjust your coffee intake accordingly. Your best bet is to stick to 1-2 cups per day, or utilise decaffeinated alternatives. In some cases, you may want to eliminate it for a few weeks to allow your nervous system & adrenals to recuperate.

Energy drinks

Another problematic source of caffeine is energy drinks. But these not only offer higher doses of caffeine than coffee and tea – they also come with large amounts of sugar, sweeteners and additives.

This combination can cause problems with blood sugar regulation, immune function and of course, sleep! And all of these factors play a big role in your thyroid function, particularly if you already have a thyroid condition.

I generally recommend eliminating energy drinks altogether, or only enjoying them on rare occasions.

Soft drinks

Whether you prefer regular or diet versions of soft drinks, they can be a problem for your thyroid. As with energy drinks, you’re looking at a cocktail of sugar, additives and potentially artificial sweeteners. Some sweeteners can even disrupt hormone signalling and throw off the delicate balance of thyroid hormones.

The good news is that there are more healthy alternatives coming out for soft drinks. Kombucha, apple cider vinegar drinks and drinks made with natural sweeteners are popular and widely available. But remember these are also designed for moderate consumption – not everyday!

Alcohol

Even if we take out the impact of other ingredients in alcoholic drinks such as sugar and sweeteners? Alcohol itself still adds a burden to your liver. And as we know, the liver is a key thyroid support system. So if you’re adding stress to the liver, it can throw off thyroid hormone conversion.

This doesn’t mean you can never have a glass of wine or a cold cider on a hot summer day! But it does mean you want to be mindful of its effects. At the very least, aim for 2-3 alcohol-free days per week.

Soy milk

For many years, soy was the #1 milk alternative available. But soy, particularly unfermented soy, is a source of goitrogens. These are compounds that can interfere with production of thyroid hormones. Soy milk may also disrupt other hormones such as oestrogen, which also feeds into thyroid function.

If you do have a thyroid condition or suspect you’re not producing sufficient thyroid hormone? Look at switching to other milk alternatives that might be less problematic.

Unfiltered water

Filtered water is a must for a happy, healthy thyroid. But unfiltered water may have the opposite effects. This is because it can contain heavy metals, chlorine byproducts and fluoride, depending on where you live. All of these can interfere with thyroid function.

That’s why I personally use & recommend a high-quality water filter.

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