What Should You Not Drink With Graves’ Disease?

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease of thyroid gland characterized by an increase in the thyroid stimulating autoantibodies related to TSH receptor (TSHR). These antibodies mimic the action of TSH resulting in the activation of TSH receptor. The symptoms of Graves’ disease are external protruding eyes, weight loss, and irregular heartbeats at rest, heat intolerance and heavy perspiration. Due to the hyperactive thyroid gland, certain food and drinks should be avoided which will accelerate the hyperactivity of immune system.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ that supplies with hormones to utilize body’s energy. It influences every action of the body. When the immune system becomes hyperactive, it starts destroying body’s own tissues. Graves’ disease is one autoimmune disease that leads to hyperthyroidism and over secretion of T3 and T4 hormones and antibodies to TSH receptors.

The Symptoms Of Graves’ Disease Can Have Acute Manifestations Like –

• Rapid heartbeats
• Intolerance of heat
• Trembling in muscles
• Sudden weight loss
• Fatigue
• Loss of hair
• Protruding eyes
• Anxiety
• Goiter
• Loss of sleep
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea
• Heavy perspiration
• Insatiable hunger

• Osteoporosis
• Cardiomyopathy
• Thyroid storm

Graves’ disease is the main cause of hyperthyroidism. Diet modification cannot cure Graves’ disease, but symptoms can be reduced to some extent.

The Drinks That Should Be Avoided In Graves’ Disease Are–

Caffeinated Drinks– caffeinated drinks like coffee, soda, tea, and chocolate can accelerate some of the symptoms like rapid heart rate, anxiety, nervousness and weight loss. Complete elimination of coffee is not required in every case of Graves’ disease. Your dietician will guide you in the right direction.

Dairy Drinks– although Graves ’ disease reduces calcium absorption in the body, resulting in brittle bones and osteoporosis, the introduction of dairy products might help to tackle calcium absorption. But dairy drinks have fortified iodine and may trigger food allergy in Graves’ disease, thus dairy drinks like milk, buttermilk, etc. are not included in thyroid diet. Mild allergic reaction with these drinks may accelerate the production of antibodies specific to Graves’ disease.

Prepacked Drinks– sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit juice, pasteurized milk, etc. are not considered healthy for Graves’ disease. They contain a high amount of sugar.
Artificially Sweetened Drinks- Artificial sweeteners have a number of numerous health issues.

Alcohol– Alcohol is not allowed in Graves’ disease

Almond Milk– in strict autoimmune diet, nuts like almond, cashews and Brazil nuts, etc. is not allowed. Nuts are very low in magnesium content. Low Magnesium interferes with the absorption of calcium. Thus, magnesium deficiency is bad for Graves’ disease. So, almond milk should be avoided in Graves’ disease.

Soy, Dairy Products, Milk– soya milk contain isoflavones, are also called phytoestrogens. They are known to induce the production of antibodies that affect the thyroid gland. These antibodies have similar action like thyroid stimulating hormone released from pituitary gland. Thus more thyroid hormones are released due to antibodies. Isoflavones of soya drinks also obstruct the action of enzyme thyroperoxidase that helps in iodine extraction required for the production of thyroid hormones. This enzyme is mostly related to hypothyroidism but it can cause goiter that can worsen the situation.

Paleo diet is the best option for autoimmune disease like Graves’ disease. Paleo diet is the diet that excludes all the common food that imposes stress on the immune system. Food sensitivities can be evaluated by simple blood tests to detect presence allergens against specific food. Food sensitivities can be caused by food items like eggs, soy, yeast, sardines, tuna, corn, etc.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland that can trigger hyperthyroidism. Food sensitivities are the common cause of the autoimmune reactions. Dairy drinks, processed packed drinks, soy drink, almond milk, alcohol, artificially sweetened drinks, and caffeinated drinks are restricted in Graves’ disease.

Also Read:

• Graves’ Disease or Basedow-Graves Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Ophthalmopathy, Dermopathy
• Home Remedies for Graves’ Disease
• Can Graves’s Disease Make You Blind?
• Is There A Cure For Graves’ Disease?
• Can Graves’ Disease be Passed On?
• Can You Drink Alcohol When You Have Graves’ Disease?
• Is Grave’s disease Inherited?