cooking or not cooking cruciferous veg

[pepperpot]

I've read two things: that cruciferous veg (broccoli/spinach etc) should always be cooked to reduce the goitrogenic effect (which I have a tendency towards) but on the other hand in another publication that 'Never cook spinach. Oxalic acid is destroyed when heat transforms it into oxalic acid crystals that are harmful to the kidneys. It also binds to iron making it unabsorbable.'. Anyone got any ideas, I don't know what to do now!!

[Ethel]

I suggest you eat a varied and balanced diet and enjoy your food, whether it is cooked or raw.

I honestly think that if cooked spinach was truly dangerous it would be sold with a health warning.
If you eat some raw and some cooked you can't go wrong!

[pepperpot]

problem is, last year I was eating what I thought was a balanced diet with lots of raw veg (including broccoli, and developed a goitre, it never occurred to me that was the cause (or my doctor), it went again after Xmas, which was when I started eating rubbish again! It was only when I read the above that it struck me as being the probable cause, so I don't really want to take any chances. I suppose I want to know if it's just broccoli or all crucierous veg.

[pepperpot]

sorry cruciferous that need cooking.

[nickmo]

pepperpot: this may be of interest: http://www.richard-binns.co.uk/a-diet.htm

[WiccanKitten]

What does 'goitrogenic' mean? sorry, i have nothing of use to post up with regard to your question.....but I'm interested!!!!!!

[pepperpot]

It means it can cause goitires. (I didn't know either till I got one!). To do with iodine and thyroid I think.

[WiccanKitten]

wow - 3 more words i have no recognition or understanding of!
saying that, I'm sure iodene was a chemical i used in sciance classes.
And thyroid is a body bit isn't it??
As for goitires - still no idea, but they don't sound desirable, so i won't ask!!

How embarressing, are these things that everyone knows?? Why wasn't i informed?!!!!!!

[pepperpot]

In my bid to clarify ...;-) goitres are the large swellings you used to see some people with round their necks. It's pretty uncommon now. Used to be called Derbyshire neck due to an iodine deficiency in that area (or too much - not really sure). Didn't used to know either what caused it till I started to get one - don't want it back again. Should I post this on the science board do you think?

[nickmo]

Hi Wiccankitten - Info on related stuff here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goiter

Lack of iodine can result in the loss of the hormones that are necessary for good health. Vegans must watch out as iodine deficiency can lead to metabolism problems.

Easily rectified - eggs are rich in iodine for example, and treatments for goitre etc are really successful as well, so pepperpot should be aok too!

Useful fact - when 'The Bomb' drops or in the event of a nuclear accident, iodine tablets are due to be handed out as protection of the thyroid to nuclear fall out/waste (i.e maintain healthy metabolisms) as radioactive iodine from an accident etc is quite nasty stuff. viz. Chernobyls problems...

[WiccanKitten]

Nice one guys!! :) x