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Does Canned Salmon Have Iodine? A Guide to Getting Your Iodine Fill from Seafood

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1Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UKFind articles by

2Institute for Food Research and Nutrition, University of Reading, Agriculture Building, P. O. Box 2376, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, UK; moc. liamg@306uahcct (T. C. C. ); ku. ca. gnidaer@snevig. i. d (D. I. G. )Find articles by.

2Institute for Food Research and Nutrition, University of Reading, Agriculture Building, P. O. Box 2376, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, UK; moc. liamg@306uahcct (T. C. C. ); ku. ca. gnidaer@snevig. i. d (D. I. G. )Find articles by.

Iodine is an important nutrient for human health and development, with seafood widely acknowledged as a rich source. Because of the growing world population, there is now a wider range of wild and farmed seafood to choose from. But as aquaculture production has gone up, feed ingredients have changed in ways that affect the nutritional value of the final product. This study looked at how much iodine is in wild and farmed seafood that people in the UK can buy and how much of their current iodine intake comes from food. Ninety-five types of seafood from UK stores were bought and analyzed. These included marine and freshwater fish and shellfish from both wild and farmed sources. Iodine contents ranged from 427. 4 ± 316. 1 to 3. 0 ± 1. A haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and a common carp (Cyprinus carpio), both in the order shellfish, had a flesh wet weight of 6 µg·100 g−1. Overall, iodine levels were higher in wild fish than in farmed fish, except for aquaculture species that were not fed (bivalves). However, there were no important differences found between Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and turbot (Psetta maxima) that were wild or farmed. European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and seabream (Sparus aurata) from farms had lower iodine levels than their wild counterparts, while Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) had higher levels. This is likely because of the type and amount of feed ingredients used. By following the UK’s food guidelines for fish, eating some Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), or haddock, which is high in oil, would give you two-thirds of the weekly recommended iodine intake (980 µg). In contrast, actual iodine intake from seafood consumption is estimated at only 9. 4–18. 15% of the UK’s recommended daily amount of nutrients (140% of the recommended amount for men and 140% of the recommended amount for women) across all age groups and genders, with women getting less than their male counterparts.

Iodine is an important trace element that is needed to make the thyroid hormones thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine [1,2,3]. It also plays a big part in controlling the growth and metabolism of vertebrates. If people don’t get enough iodine, it can lead to a number of known health problems, including goitre in the thyroid and problems with brain development and function that can happen at any age, from pregnancy to old age [1,4,5]. As a result, health groups around the world have set reference nutrient intake (RNI) levels to make sure that everyone gets enough of the nutrients they need to stay healthy. The current RNI for adults in the UK is 140 µg·day−1 [6]. This is a little less than the 150 µg·day−1 RNI for adults and ≥200 µg·day−1 RNI for pregnant and breastfeeding women that the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health authorities recommend [7,8,9,10]. These allowances are mostly expected to be satisfied through dietary consumption. Even though nutrition has gotten better in the UK and Western Europe as a whole, there is some worry that iodine intake has become mild to moderately inadequate, especially among more vulnerable groups like young children and women of childbearing age [4,5,11,12,13,14].

In most Western countries, like the UK [15,16,17,18,19], milk and dairy products are the main foods that people eat that contain iodine. However, the amount of iodine in these foods depends on a lot of things, like the drinking water and the fortification of animal feed [20,21,22,23]. Iodine (as iodide), on the other hand, is naturally found in high concentrations in aquatic organisms, especially marine ones [24,25]. Because of this, seafood is often thought to be the best way for people to get iodine and other nutrients that are good for their health and development. In fact, many government and health groups say that eating at least two servings of fish a week is an important part of a healthy, well-balanced diet [26,27,28,29]. Thus, routine seafood consumption has the potential to facilitate populations achieving a sufficient iodine intake.

Recently, the amount of seafood grown in farms (aquaculture) has increased so much that it now provides more seafood for human consumption than fish caught in the wild [30]. This growth is mostly due to the world’s population continuing to rise. This has led to a higher demand for both traditionally farmed species like carps and tilapias and high-value farmed species like Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), and marine shrimp [31]. But getting the right feed ingredients for the aquaculture industry, which is growing very quickly, has been one of the biggest problems with its success. Because of this, feed formulas have changed, especially for marine carnivorous species. Instead of using fish meal and fish oil, which are limited and hard to find in the ocean, they now use alternatives like plant-based raw materials from land that are generally thought to be more sustainable [32]. Since then, there have been lower levels of some good nutrients found in both fish feed and flesh [33,34,35]. This makes people wonder if farmed fish can provide enough of these nutrients for people to eat without changing the current rules about eating fish [36].

Although the iodine contents of seafood have been studied (e. g. , [15,37,38,39,40,41,42]), they are generally limited to only a few species most commonly consumed. Food composition tables, like McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods, give us useful information about nutrients that help us figure out how healthy and well-nourished a population is [43]. But they need to be kept up to date so the information is still useful [44]. The UK’s dataset on popular fish and fish products was last updated in 2013 [45]. In the time since then, consumers have had access to a wider range of fish, and the nutrients in farmed species have changed. So, the goal of this study was to look at and compare the iodine levels in 95 seafood products that are sold in the UK. These products included marine and freshwater fish, shellfish (crustaceans, bivalves, and cephalopods), and fish that came from both farms and the wild. The data was then used to estimate how much iodine people are eating now.

As a seafood lover and health-conscious home cook, I’m always trying to find ways to incorporate more fish and shellfish into my weekly meal planning. Not only are finfish and shellfish delicious, they are packed with important nutrients like protein, omega-3s, vitamin D, selenium and iodine.

Iodine is one mineral that many people don’t get enough of in their diets. Consuming adequate iodine is essential for proper thyroid function, metabolism, energy levels and more. Deficiencies in iodine can lead to hypothyroidism, goiter and other health issues.

Luckily there are plenty of great seafood choices that provide iodine. One of my favorite quick and budget-friendly options is canned salmon. In this article I’ll share why canned salmon is a smart choice for getting more iodine in your diet.

Why Is Iodine So Important?

Before jumping into the iodine content of canned salmon let’s do a quick overview of why iodine matters for your health.

Iodine is a trace mineral that the thyroid gland needs to make hormones that control metabolism, growth, development, and other things. The recommended daily intake is 150 mcg for adult men and women.

Diets deficient in iodine can lead to:

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Goiter (enlarged thyroid)
  • Impaired brain development in children
  • Fatigue
  • Dry skin
  • Depression

Getting adequate iodine ensures your thyroid can function optimally. Seafood is one of the best dietary sources of this important mineral.

How Much Iodine Does Canned Salmon Provide?

Now onto the main question – just how much iodine is in canned salmon? The answer is a respectable amount!

A 3 ounce serving of canned red salmon contains:

  • 35 mcg of iodine

This provides about 23% of the daily iodine needs for most adults. Even though it’s not very high in iodine, canned salmon is a good way to get more of this mineral from seafood.

For comparison, here is how canned salmon stacks up to other common seafood in terms of iodine:

  • Oysters (3 oz) – 126 mcg
  • Shrimp (3 oz) – 35 mcg
  • Albacore tuna (3 oz) – 17 mcg
  • Salmon (canned, 3 oz) – 35 mcg
  • Cod (3 oz) – 99 mcg

So you can see canned salmon provides a moderate amount of iodine, more than some fish but less than shellfish which are very rich in iodine.

Benefits of Choosing Canned Salmon for Iodine

There are many reasons why canned salmon is a smart choice for increasing your intake of iodine and other nutrients:

  • Convenient – No thawing required, just open and eat
  • Budget-friendly – Less expensive than fresh salmon
  • Lasts long – Properly sealed cans have a long shelf life
  • Packs key nutrients – Great source of omega-3s, protein, B12
  • Contains bones – Bones add calcium and Vitamin D
  • Lower mercury risk – Smaller salmon have less mercury

Canned salmon is easy to incorporate into salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes and more. It’s the perfect protein to keep stocked in your pantry for quick lunches and dinners.

Tips for Picking the Healthiest Canned Salmon

Not all canned salmon products are created equal when it comes to nutrition and ingredients. Here are some tips for selecting the best quality:

  • Choose wild caught over farmed – Higher in omega-3s
  • Look for bones – Adds calcium, iodine and vitamin D
  • Select salmon species lower in mercury like pink or sockeye
  • Avoid added preservatives or chemical flavors
  • Pick salmon canned in water over oil to reduce calories

Reading the nutrition labels and ingredients is key to finding a healthy product. I like to use plain canned pink salmon and add my own seasonings and flavors.

How Else Can I Increase Iodine From Seafood?

While convenient canned salmon is great, eating a variety of different seafood is ideal for getting enough dietary iodine. Here are some other top choices:

Oysters – Just 3 oz provides over 100% DV of iodine! Enjoy breaded and fried, in stews or raw.

Shrimp – A 3 oz serving has 35 mcg iodine. Boil, grill or sautée shrimp in dishes.

Cod – 3 oz of cod fillet delivers 99 mcg of iodine. Bake, broil or fry cod fillets.

Tuna – Choose albacore tuna canned in water for 17 mcg per 2.5 oz. Use for tuna melts, salads and sandwiches.

Sardines – These small oily fish are also canned and provide iodine. Use in salads, pastas or toast toppers.

Seaweed – Add dried seaweed to soups, salads and rice dishes. It’s very high in iodine but little goes a long way.

Rotate different seafood choices throughout the week to meet your iodine needs. Check local fish advisories for seafood healthy and safe to eat in your area.

What Are Signs of Iodine Deficiency?

It’s important to be aware of symptoms that could indicate an iodine deficiency, especially for those who don’t regularly eat seafood:

  • Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
  • Feeling cold, low energy and fatigue
  • Dry skin and hair
  • Swelling in neck from goiter
  • Changes in heart rate
  • Heavy or irregular menstrual cycles
  • Depression and brain fog

Consult your doctor if you suspect an iodine deficiency so proper testing can be done. Bloodwork and urine tests check thyroid hormones and iodine levels.

Can You Get Too Much Iodine?

While iodine deficiency is more common, there are individuals who may consume too much iodine either from seafood or supplements. Consuming very high amounts can also affect thyroid function.

Symptoms of iodine excess include:

  • Swelling and pain in the thyroid (goiter)
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Acne breakouts
  • Rash or swelling after exposure to iodine
  • Metallic taste
  • Nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea

Stick within the RDA of 150 mcg iodine per day unless instructed by your doctor to supplement with higher amounts. Too much iodine can be just as detrimental as not getting enough.

Putting It All Together

Getting adequate iodine from the diet is key for thyroid health, metabolism and energy levels. Canned salmon provides a moderate amount of this important mineral. Along with other nutritious seafood choices, canned salmon is an easy and budget-friendly way to prevent deficiencies.

Try incorporating canned wild pink salmon into your weekly meal prep a few times per month. Use it in salads, sandwiches, pastas and on avocado toast for an iodine boost. Vary your seafood choices and eat 2-3 servings per week to meet your needs.

Monitor yourself for signs of iodine deficiency and seek medical advice if you suspect an issue. Aim for a balanced approach to getting enough iodine from regular seafood consumption without overdoing it. Your thyroid will thank you!

does canned salmon have iodine

Results and Discussion

We looked at 95 different kinds of seafood for this study and listed their iodine levels in descending order below. Iodine concentrations (mean ± SD) ranged from 2. 97 ± 1. 58 µg·100 g−1 flesh ww in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to 427. 4 ± 316. 1 µg·100 g−1 flesh ww in Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus). Overall, the samples that were looked at had mean and median iodine levels that were pretty close to each other. This means that there wasn’t much difference in the iodine levels (see Table S1 for values). However, large differences in iodine levels have been seen between individuals of the same species [1,38,40,51,52], and this study is no different. In particular, haddock (427. 4 and 323. 3 µg·100 g−1 flesh ww, mean and median, respectively), flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus, 52. 2 and 21. 9 µg·100 g−1), wild turbot (Psetta maxima, 52. 0 and 34. 6 µg·100 g−1), Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus, 34. 4 and 23. 3 µg·100 g−1), Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus, 30. 4 and 16. 8 µg·100 g−1), Atlantic razor clam (Ensis ensis, 26. 9 and 15. 7 µg·100 g−1), lemon sole (Microstomus kitt, 26. 1 and 15. 5 µg·100 g−1), and sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka, 24. 9 and 13. 3 µg·100 g−1) all exhibited sizeable differences between their respective mean and median values. There are several factors that may account for differences between individuals of the same species. Location (fishing ground) may play a role in explaining any differences within the species, since the amount of iodine in seawater changes with depth and location [24,25]. Iodine can be found as iodate (IO3−), iodide (I−), or small amounts of dissolved organic iodine. Thus, identifying fishing grounds allows for direct comparisons between data to be made while minimising potential misinterpretation. For example, Nerhus et al. It was discovered that Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and pollack (Pollachius pollachius) from the North Sea had lower amounts of iodine than fish caught in the Norwegian and Barents seas and/or Norwegian fjords [40]. Based on the current findings, the 76. 1 ± 24. The 7 µg·100 g−1 value found in pollack that was caught in the North Sea (FAO Fishing Area 27, subarea IV) is within the normal range, though a little lower than the mean value reported for other North Sea pollack, which is 210 µg·100 g−1 [40]. If you compare the current value to the much higher mean value of 790 µg·100 g−1 reported for pollack from all North East Atlantic fishing areas (FAO27) [40], you might think that the difference is due to a mistake, like when the samples were being analyzed. Cod from this study, on the other hand, was said to have been caught in the Barents, Norwegian, and North Seas, as well as Iceland (FAO27 subareas I, II, IV, and V, in that order), but the iodine level (70%) was not clear. 7 ± 19. 0 µg·100 g−1) more closely resembled the value observed by Nerhus et al. [40] for cod caught in the North Sea (96 µg·100 g−1) than in the Barents or Norwegian seas (400 and 250 µg·100 g−1, respectively) or compared to the average value of all three fishing grounds (190 µg·100 g−1). Such differences in the amount of iodine in the same species’ bodies may also be caused by the food that is available [51]. The season has the most impact on a fish’s health and nutrition because it changes when food is available and how many fish can reproduce [53]. Delgado et al. [38] discovered that sardines (Sardina pilchardus) and mackerel bought from Portuguese markets had higher amounts of iodine in the summer and fall than in the winter and spring. Similarly, Nerhus et al. [40] found higher amounts of iodine in haddock that were caught later in the year. They thought this was because the elements were being replenished after the spawning season in April and May. Samples for this study were bought at different times of the year when it was possible to do so. However, some species are only sold when they are in season. Additionally, wild fish that is usually sold all year in the UK, like cod, mackerel, herring, and all species of Pacific salmon, will have been stored (deep freeze) for an unknown amount of time before being sold. Because of this, the iodine content will not necessarily reflect the time when the sample was bought and may even go down during the thawing process [54]. No matter if the differences are within or between species, this study shows the range of iodine levels found in seafood that UK consumers can buy.

All samples used in this study came from stores and fishmongers, the same places that people normally buy seafood. For many larger species, portions rather than whole fish or whole-side fillets are typically sold. It is known that the fillet of some fish species has different amounts of other nutrients, like lipids [55,56], which could make things more difficult. However, Karl et al. [52] looked at cod fillets from the left and right sides, the dorsal and ventral sides, and the head and tail sides and found no difference in the amount of iodine present. Instead, the same authors found that fish skin had up to 20 times more iodine than fish muscle, with iodine levels decreasing from the skin to the inner part of the fillet closest to the backbone. Because of this, the dark muscle, which is close to the skin, has been found to have more iodine than the white muscle [54]. All of the samples in this study were skinned before they were analyzed because not everyone eats the skin and many portions or fillets are sold without the skin. Nonetheless, muscle from the entire portion, including red muscle, was taken and blended to ensure a homogenous sample. As a result, samples may have less iodine than if the skin had been left on, but they are still comparable because all of them were prepared the same way.

Overall, marine species had higher iodine levels than freshwater species when it came to seafood groups. This supports what other studies [16,38,39,40,57,58] have found. After taking into account the fact that the data was not normally distributed across the different species in each seafood group, the geometric mean showed that the iodine levels were in the following order: shellfish (39 3 µg·100 g−1) > marine fish (19. 8 µg·100 g−1) > freshwater fish (6. 4 µg·100 g−1) ( ). Fish obtain iodine through gill and intestinal uptake [3]. Freshwater usually has a lot less iodine than saltwater, so the amount of iodine in fish is mostly the same as the amount in the water they live in [39,57]. Correspondingly, the two lowest ranking species, common carp and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), were both freshwater fish. Of the marine fish, the top 8 species were all whitefish belonging to the Gadiformes (e. g. , haddock, cod). Only the two hake species, European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and Cape hake (M. capensis), failed to replicate the high iodine contents measured in the other Gadiformes (range 54. 9–427. 4 µg·100 g−1, ling (Molva molva) to haddock, respectively) containing levels of 13. 8 ± 8. 0 and 9. 7 ± 4. 9 µg·100 g−1, respectively, which were similar to values reported elsewhere [59,60]. It has been said that whitefish and other lean fish have higher iodine levels than oily fish [15,37,40,51,58]. It was found that lean fish had higher iodine levels than oily fish, but there was no overall link between lipid and iodine levels (r2 = 0). 0033, data not shown) in the present study. This might be because the current study looked at a lot of different types and amounts of samples. The data could be messed up because it included farmed, wild, freshwater, marine, and shellfish fish. But there was no correlation (r2 = 0) even when the data were split up to only look at wild marine fish species. 0019, data not shown). Aside from that, it’s not clear why iodine levels can be different in different fish species. It could be because of differences in the prey they eat and/or their own metabolism. Separating the shellfish into sub-groups revealed that crustaceans (60. 3 µg·100 g−1) contained the highest overall iodine contents of any group. Of the molluscs (31. 9 µg·100 g−1), bivalves (48. 3 µg·100 g−1) contributed more iodine than cephalopods (8. 9 µg·100 g−1). Most of the samples were tested while they were still raw, but many of the shellfish products were sold already cooked. Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) were the only species whose raw and cooked products were both tested. The cooked product had more iodine than the raw (157). 6 ± 86. 6 µg·100 g−1) than raw (104. 8 ± 43. 9 µg·100 g−1). Although the origin of the mussels were different (i. e. There were differences between the types of fish (raw, farmed, and cooked), but the results were what we expected because cooking doesn’t have a big effect on the amount of iodine that is lost, but high moisture losses during cooking do make the iodine concentrations higher per weight [54].

Common Name 1 n Iodine Content (µg·100 g−1 Flesh ww)
Mean Geo-Mean Median Min. Max.
FRESHWATER FISH 35 8.27 6.52 6.40 1.13 26.46
MARINE FISH 342 31.17 19.97 17.31 3.49 909.77
Anguilliformes 8 21.90 20.79 20.44 13.60 41.53
Clupeiformes 21 26.55 23.59 23.72 10.83 69.70
Gadiformes 42 100.72 54.69 65.14 5.97 909.77
Lophiformes 4 33.35 31.90 33.56 21.95 41.44
Mugiliformes 9 35.08 18.29 13.81 7.18 197.26
Percoideri 53 21.48 17.70 16.11 5.94 95.78
Pleuronectiformes 66 27.06 22.91 23.48 7.07 103.01
Rajiformes 4 16.63 16.11 16.62 10.88 22.42
Salmoniformes 62 14.51 13.14 13.64 4.54 34.39
Scombroidei 38 17.48 14.43 13.82 6.04 58.50
Scorpaeniformes 12 24.07 20.52 19.41 8.42 66.43
Stromateoidei, Anabantoidei 4 5.35 5.28 5.40 4.12 6.48
Squaliformes 3 26.29 25.25 30.45 16.65 31.76
Zeiformes 12 12.52 10.43 13.61 3.49 27.81
Zoarcoidei 4 38.34 28.78 36.95 12.75 66.71
SHELLFISH 79 86.09 39.33 58.41 3.81 440.18
Crustaceans 26 139.98 60.26 96.36 3.81 440.18
Molluscs 53 59.66 31.90 49.37 3.92 241.45
Bivalves 40 75.71 48.29 77.77 5.59 241.45
Cephalopods 13 10.28 8.90 6.62 3.92 19.97

When it came to where the seafood came from, wild seafood usually had more iodine than farmed seafood, but mussels and oysters that were not fed were an exception (and). Fish and prawns that are raised in farms are usually fed diets that are specially made to meet their nutritional needs [61]. But bivalves that are raised in farms get their nutrients from plankton, diatoms, and other small particles in the water. So, the makeup of bivalve species like oysters, mussels, and scallops depends a lot on the natural food that they can find, which changes depending on where they live [62]. Nonetheless, comparisons between wild and farmed seafood should be restricted to the same species or their closest counterparts.

Common Name 1 n Iodine Content (µg·100 g−1 Flesh ww)
Mean Geo-Mean Median Min. Max.
WILD (All) 332 44.89 24.07 19.55 3.49 909.77
FARMED (All) 124 22.97 13.61 11.72 1.13 169.64
FRESHWATER FISH
Wild 4 5.77 5.70 5.43 5.03 7.18
Farmed 31 8.59 6.63 6.84 1.13 26.46
MARINE
Wild (All) 328 45.36 24.49 19.70 3.49 909.77
Farmed (All) 93 27.77 17.30 14.19 3.81 169.64
MARINE FISH
Wild 272 35.08 22.03 18.86 3.49 909.77
Farmed 70 15.97 13.65 13.20 4.54 49.61
SHELLFISH
Wild (All) 56 95.31 40.99 51.49 3.92 440.18
Farmed (All) 23 63.66 35.55 59.13 3.81 169.64
Crustaceans
Wild 18 199.13 162.66 197.92 41.87 440.18
Farmed 8 6.89 6.51 6.73 3.81 11.13
Molluscs
Wild (All) 38 46.13 21.37 16.05 3.92 241.45
Farmed (All) 15 93.94 87.95 84.12 49.37 169.64
Bivalves
Wild 25 64.77 33.70 43.94 5.59 241.45
Farmed 15 93.94 87.94 84.12 49.37 169.64
Cephalopods * 13 10.28 8.90 6.62 3.92 19.97

Materials and Methods

A total of 95 different seafood samples comprising fresh and/or frozen fish and shellfish (crustaceans and molluscs)

The Untold Truth Of Canned Salmon

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