Iodine Deficiency and Benefits of Iodize Sea Salt
Iodine is an essential mineral that supports healthy metabolic functions and thyroid hormone production. Its deficiency is especially dangerous for pregnant mothers and their unborn children, as it can lead to impaired mental development and a range of childhood and adult diseases. To combat the deficiency, many countries have introduced iodization programs that require fortifying consumer food products with the mineral, such as salt. Thus, the question is: is Mediterranean sea salt iodized?
The answer is – generally speaking – no. While countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have laws which require by-products, like salt, to contain iodine, the same does not apply in the Mediterranean basin. While some countries, such as Cyprus, have set legislation mandating salt packaging to include labels warning of iodine deficiency, there is no regulation requiring that sea salt be iodized.
This may be due to the varied impact and prevalence of iodine deficiency in the region. According to data provided by the World Health Organisation, iodine deficiency varies significantly throughout the region and is usually not as severe as in other regions. However, the WHO puts the matter in perspective when they state that the presence of iodine deficiency should still not be neglected.
The suggested course of prevention here is, instead of iodization programmes, nutritional supplementation of iodine or dietary advice by clinicians and public health officials. According to experts, this approach will be more tailored to the specific region’s iodine deficiency levels, resulting in a more effective and efficient use of resources, as well as a more sustainable action.
Although the Mediterranean does not have iodized sea salt, it does have iodized table salt and other iodized foodstuff. In fact, an important part of Mediterranean cuisine is creating salt-rich dishes, like many soups and seafood. The latter contains iodine naturally, found in foods such as seaweed, shrimp, lobster, clams, mussels, and cod. As for mainland dishes like soups, adding table salt is the traditional way to flavour them and get a healthy dose of iodine.
Evolving Quality of Mediterranean Sea Salt
The Mediterranean is home to some of the best quality sea salt in the world, with low moisture content and excellent nutrient concentrations. This is due to its variety in salinity. In many parts of the basin, salt-tolerant micro-algae generically known as Dunaliella thrive in high-saline environments, providing an ample source of nutrients, such as magnesium, calcium, and iodine.
In recent years, the rising popularity of Mediterranean diet-inspired culinary cultures has only deepened the appreciation for these salts. Chefs, food connoisseurs, and health-conscious consumers alike have praised the unique flavour and texture of the salts, which actively enrich the dish with its own characteristic bouquet.
Moreover, connoisseurs are often found advocating for the organic quality of most Mediterranean salts, as some of them are completely unprocessed. This is a stark contrast against industrially-produced salts, which contain additives and molecules with heavily-processed origins.
Health Risks of Unprocessed Sea Salt
Due to the lack of regulation, there are certainly health risks to consider when it comes to consuming unprocessed sea salt, with iodine deficiency as the most necessary one. Iodine-rich products like fish and seafood are much more limited than in non-Mediterranean regions, as well as more expensive.
Also, when it comes to toxicity, unprocessed sea salt can contain compounds that industrial salts don’t. These compounds may include lead, mercury, uranium, arsenic, and so on. The fact that the salt is completely unprocessed means that any contaminants present in the water sources do not get filtered out. This increases the risk of consuming toxic amounts without any prior knowledge of it.
Preserving and Enhancing Quality of Mediterranean Sea Salt
Given the complex nature of the use of sea salt in the region, there have been a variety of efforts to enhance the quality and safety of the salt. In Cyprus, the country-wide iodine fortification law serves as an example of a successful programme, while the Food Safety Authority of Malta seeks to evaluate the quality of local salts through testing their nutritional composition.
Also, in Turkey, a nation-wide initiative known as the Marine Product Certification, Quality Control and Traceability System, or MPCQTS, seeks to certify production facilities, assess the quality of salts produced, and measure the traceability of all sea salts in the country.
Implications for Sustainability
The complex nature of trade and production of sea salt has an implication for sustainability. As the traditional production of unprocessed salts will remain a part of Mediterranean cuisine, their quality needs to be guaranteed and their nutrition demands must be met.
With efforts from public health officials and stakeholders in the food industry, people in the Mediterranean are better able to enjoy the various flavours of sea salt, without risking their health or wasting resources.
Salt Tax and Effectiveness of Iodization Programs
The existence of iodization programmes and legislation regarding salt usage is also something worth discussing. Since the introduction of iodization programmes, countries have seen improvements in iodine deficiency and better health outcomes due to the availability of iodized table salt.
Nevertheless, there are still those who are concerned. A group of neurologists, for example, have recently called for a ‘salt tax’ to be introduced, which would depend on the amount of iodine present on it. This, they believe, may help control the market and reduce the amount of salt consumed by consumers.
Iodize Sea Salt Alternatives
Iodized sea salt is not a viable solution for most countries in the Mediterranean, however there are other salt alternatives that can provide similar benefits. The most prominent of these is mineral-rich Sea Salt from the Halophyte Salt Company, which is collected from the waters near their salt farm in Palestine, along the Gaza Strip.
This salt is naturally rich in minerals, including iodine, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. In addition, the company claims that the salt contains trace elements, such as zinc and manganese, which can help with increased metabolism and cellular growth.
Marketing Sea Salt as a Superfood
With its mineral-rich content, sea salt has become an increasingly popular option in the health-conscious community. People now have the choice of buying organic sea salt in countless forms and varieties, prepared differently and presented as a superfood. This trend has been fuelled by the increasing popularity of the Mediterranean diet and its impact on the global market.
Furthermore, the idea that sea salt can be a therapeutic alternative have spread throughout the alternative health communities. As a result, people are now turning to natural products as an alternative to iodized table salt, believing sea salt to be a healthier and more nutritional alternative.
Conclusion
While the traditional Mediterranean Sea Salt does not appear to be iodized, there are still ways for people in the region to get their recommended dose of iodine. Seafood, for example, is rich in this mineral, and including it regularly in the diet is an easy and practical way to get it. There is also the option of iodized table salt and the mineral-rich sea salt from the Halophyte Salt Company.
Ultimately, the question of Sea salt iodization has sparked an interesting discussion of traditional diets, iodization programs and the sustainability of food production. While no clear-cut solution exists on the matter at the moment, it is clear that further investigation and action still needs to be done in order to ensure the health and safety of everyone who consumes Mediterranean Sea Salt.
