23/07/2026
Throwback Thursday: Last year, isa sa 20-day activity ng SPES ay salt testing na kung saan tinetest ang mga asin na nakuha mula sa piling bahay, tindahan, at establisyamento upang tignan kung ito ba ay may sapat na iodine content na mahalaga para sa ating kalusugan.
Hindi lang pala asin mismo ang factor sa iodine content, kinakailangan din pala nito nang maayos na HANDLING upang mapanatili ang iodine content nito.
SALT SCIENCE 🧂
Iodized salt helps protect the body from iodine deficiency, but the iodine in it can slowly decrease if the salt is not stored properly.
Iodine is an essential nutrient needed by the thyroid gland, which helps regulate metabolism, growth, and development. This is why many countries use iodized salt as a simple public-health strategy: salt is widely used, affordable, and easy to fortify with iodine.
But iodized salt is not immune to chemistry.
The iodine added to salt can be affected by heat, humidity, moisture, light, and packaging. Once a pack is opened, the salt becomes more exposed to air and moisture, especially in kitchens where steam, heat, and humidity are common.
This matters because iodine can be lost faster when iodized salt is stored near the stove, left uncovered, placed in a damp container, or kept in a humid area. Over time, the amount of iodine in the salt may become lower than what was originally added during production.
Cooking can also affect iodine retention. Some studies suggest that adding iodized salt early during high-heat cooking may lead to more iodine loss compared with adding it later, when possible.
The safer habit is simple: keep iodized salt in a tightly closed container, store it in a cool and dry place, avoid direct sunlight, and keep it away from heat and steam. Buying smaller packs can also help if the household does not use salt quickly.
Iodized salt is still important. The point is not to avoid it, but to store it properly so it can do its job better.
Iodized salt may look stable on the shelf, but heat and humidity can quietly reduce the iodine inside it.
