The Salt Trend That Could Cost Children Up to 13 IQ Points
It sounds like clickbait, but it isn’t.
Research suggests that mild to moderate iodine deficiency during pregnancy is associated with reductions in children’s IQ ranging from around 0.3 to as much as 13 points across different studies (Bougma et al., 2013). More importantly for the UK, children born to mothers with iodine deficiency were significantly more likely to have lower verbal IQ and poorer reading ability in the landmark ALSPAC study (Bath et al., 2013). (BMJ)
A century ago, adding iodine to table salt virtually eliminated iodine deficiency in many countries. It reduced goitre, improved thyroid health and is widely regarded as one of the greatest public health interventions ever introduced.
Unfortunately, iodine deficiency is now returning.
A 2026 review by Professor Sarah Bath reports that data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2019–2023) now classifies several population groups—including women of childbearing age—as mildly iodine deficient. The review concludes that iodine deficiency has become “a significant public health concern in the UK” and warns that deficiency before and during pregnancy may affect children’s cognition, including IQ. (PubMed)
Why?
• Sea salt, Himalayan pink salt and many gourmet salts do not contain added iodine.
• More people are replacing cow’s milk with plant-based alternatives, many of which contain little iodine unless fortified.
• The UK has never introduced universal salt iodisation, unlike many other countries, and iodised salt is still not widely available. (PubMed)
For those of us working in early years, this matters.
The foundations of brain development begin long before a child enters nursery. While we should never encourage people to consume more salt, we can help families understand the importance of getting enough iodine from appropriate sources, including dairy products, seafood, eggs, iodised salt (used sparingly), or appropriately fortified foods.
Sometimes the biggest threats to children’s development aren’t obvious. Sometimes they’re hidden in changing dietary trends that most of us never question.
References
Bath SC. (2026). Iodine deficiency in the UK – should we take it with a pinch of salt? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. PMID: 41501008. (PubMed)
Bath SC, Steer CD, Golding J, Emmett P, Rayman MP. (2013). Effect of inadequate iodine status in UK pregnant women on cognitive outcomes in their children: results from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The Lancet, 382(9889), 331–337. (BMJ)
Bougma K, Aboud FE, Harding KB, Marquis GS. (2013). Iodine and mental development of children under 5 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition, 29(9), 1089–1098.
This version is stronger because it uses the 2026 review by Sarah Bath to establish that iodine deficiency is once again a UK public health issue, while the 2013 ALSPAC study and 2013 meta-analysis support the cognitive findings. Together, they make a robust evidence base.
Trauma Informed Housing Officers
Housing officers work on the front lines every day, navigating a complex web of challenges with clients. They encounter people facing everything from homelessness and financial distress to complex mental health needs. In these high-stakes interactions, emotions can run high, leaving both the officer and the client feeling overwhelmed. In moments like these, a simple shift in perspective and a few practical skills can make a significant difference.
Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with you?”, a trauma-informed approach asks, “What happened to you?”. This small but powerful change in framing acknowledges that a client’s anger or frustration may not be a personal attack, but rather a reflection of their past experiences. These might include Adverse Childhood Experiences, which are known to shape the way people respond to stress. Viewing behaviour through this lens allows for emotional separation, making it easier to respond with empathy and professionalism rather than defensiveness. It is not about ignoring the problem; it is about approaching it differently.
The principles of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) offer housing officers practical techniques for managing these situations. They provide an actionable roadmap for regulating emotions in a crisis and for building a safe, trusting connection with clients. The first step is self-regulation. Officers often face situations that can trigger stress, frustration or even fear. These reactions can push the body into a “fight or flight” state, clouding judgment. One effective tool for slowing this down is the S.T.O.P. skill — stop completely, take a step back (literally or mentally), observe what is happening both internally and externally, then proceed mindfully with a deliberate choice rather than a knee-jerk reaction.
Another rapid stabilising technique is known as T.I.P.P. This involves using temperature changes, like splashing cold water on the face, to activate the body’s calming reflex; engaging in short bursts of intense exercise to release emotional energy; practising slow, paced breathing with longer exhalations than inhalations to lower heart rate; and using progressive muscle relaxation to let go of tension held in the body.
Once the officer has steadied themselves, the focus can shift to the client. A key skill here is validation — the act of acknowledging that a person’s feelings and experiences are understandable, even without agreeing with their point of view. Simple statements can have a powerful effect, such as: “It’s understandable that this situation feels overwhelming given everything that has been going on,” or, “Many people in similar circumstances would feel frustrated too.” Other phrases include, “This sounds like it has been an ongoing challenge, and that can take a toll,” “It’s clear that a lot of effort has been put into trying to make things work,” and “Given the pressures right now, these feelings make complete sense.” These kinds of acknowledgements help clients feel heard, which can lower emotional intensity and open the door to collaborative problem-solving.
Alongside validation, effective communication benefits from being gentle, genuinely interested, and maintaining an easy manner where appropriate. Kindness and respect, shown through tone and body language, create safety. Active listening — making eye contact, leaning in, and avoiding interruptions — builds trust and demonstrates that the client’s perspective matters. A relaxed, light-hearted approach, when the moment allows, can ease tension and make difficult conversations more manageable.
None of these skills are magic fixes. They take practice and intention to become part of daily interactions. But for housing officers, who are at constant risk of compassion fatigue — the emotional wear and tear that comes from caring deeply for people in distress — these tools are an investment. They not only help clients in crisis but also protect the resilience and wellbeing of the officers themselves, allowing them to sustain this demanding and vital work over the long term.
Mindschange offers training in Trauma Informed Customer Service. For more information please email info@mindschange.co.uk