Turnip Greens as a Goitrogenic Food

Turnip Greens are are sometimes referred to as a goitrogenic food. Yet, contrary to popular belief, according to the latest studies, foods themselvesturnip greens includedare not goitrogenic in the sense of causing goiter whenever they are consumed, or even when they are consumed in excess. In fact, most foods that are commonly called goitrogenicsuch as the cruciferous vegetables (including turnip greens, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower) and soyfoodsdo not interfere with thyroid function in healthy persons even when they are consumed on a daily basis. Nor is it scientifically correct to say that foods contain goitrogens, at least not if you are thinking about goitrogens as a category of substances like proteins, carbohydrates, or vitamins. With respect to the health of our thyroid gland, all that can be contained in a food are nutrients that provide us with a variety of health benefits but which, under certain circumstances, can also interfere with thyroid function. The term goitrogenic food makes it sound as if something is wrong with the food, but that is simply not the case.