Found naturally in dairy milk, iodine plays an essential role in supporting normal energy production, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing - key factors for athletes both on and off the pitch.
Iodine and health
Iodine is an essential mineral that contributes to several important bodily functions, including:
- Energy release - helps the body release energy from food, supporting daily activity and training demands.
- Cognitive function - helps with mental activities that affect your attention, memory and ability to think, make decisions, and solve problems - functions that are important for both learning and sporting activities.
- Thyroid function - helps maintain overall body regulation and wellbeing.
Each of these roles make iodine relevant to student athletes, helping to maintain energy, focus, general wellbeing, and supporting your ability to manage both sporting and academic demands.
Dairy Milk: A Reliable Source
Dairy milk is one of the main sources of iodine in the UK diet, with a standard 200ml glass of semi-skimmed milk providing 41% of our daily iodine needs. It’s also an affordable and easy option to fit into your routine.
Other foods, such as fish and eggs, also contain iodine, but plant-based drinks often have little or no iodine unless fortified.
Practical Takeaways
Here are some key takeaways for you to include more iodine in your diet:
- Include milk as part of a varied, balanced diet, to help meet your iodine needs.
- Remember that milk is a source of iodine, contributing to energy and mental focus helpful in your sport and student life.
- If choosing plant-based drinks, check labels to ensure they contain iodine.
