The effect of consuming large amounts of cassava leaves on thyroid function and urinary iodine was studied. Twenty volunteers were given 200 gm of boiled cassava leaves twice a day for 12 consecutive days. Thyroid hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine were significantly lower by 9 days. Urinary iodine excretion was also significantly decreased. Cassava leaves, consumed in large amounts by aborigines, probably caused goitres by decreasing iodine absorption.
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