In 1–2 sentences, identify and explain the evidence that the author uses to support the idea that taking iodine out of table salt might cause harm.

Question

(2 points)
Iodine is an important micronutrient, a vitamin or mineral that is necessary for good health. It helps the body to produce hormones, helps babies develop in the womb, and is important to many other body processes. In 1924, iodine was added to salt to make up for a lack of public access to dairy foods and ocean fish, which are natural sources of iodine. The modern American diet, however, includes many processed foods that contain iodine. As a result, many salt manufacturers have stopped adding iodine to their product, a change that did not get much attention in the media. Some nutrition experts are concerned that people who still rely on table salt as a source of iodine will have an increase in disease caused by a diet lacking in the micronutrient. Only time will tell, as America moves into a new era where table salt is no longer a guaranteed source of iodine.

Answer 1

The evidence that the author uses to support the idea that taking iodine out of table salt might cause harm is that iodine is important for various bodily processes, including hormone production and fetal development, and that the modern American diet includes many processed foods that contain iodine, therefore people who rely on table salt as a source of iodine may have an increased risk of disease due to a lack of this micronutrient.