Evaluation of Goitrogenic Content of Common Vegetables in South West Nigeria

Endemic goiter and associated iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) are prevalent in south west Nigeria. The present study was undertaken to identify the role of dietary goitrogen in the etiology of endemic goiter. Perchlorate, fluoride, nitrate, bromide, chloride, phosphate and cyanide content of common vegetables viz., cabbage, African Eggplant, Giant pigweed, Scent leaf, Amaranth, Tree Spinach, Black nightshade, consumed by the population of the region were measured. All the dietary goitrogen content in the investigated vegetables were found to be within the Acceptable Daily Intake and this observation suggests that in addition to iodine deficiency dietary intake of a cyanogenic plant, the combination of chemicals may play some role for the persistence of endemic goiter in Southwest Nigeria.