Is salty air really what makes you feel good at the seaside? Not really: breathe the sea spray does not allow you to stock up on iodine. In the show “The advice of Doctor Kierzek” on ICI, the chronicling doctor qualifies this preconceived idea.
Spray does not replace the iodine on the plate
To the question “information or misinformation? “, the doctor gives a response from Normand: “It’s a bit of info and misinformation.”
His reasoning is simple: yes, marine air can contain traces of iodine compounds, particularly in certain environments rich in algae and subject to tides. But the part breathed remains too low to cover the needs of the thyroid. An Irish study published in Environmental Geochemistry and Health in 2011 goes in this direction: it suggests a contribution by inhalation possible locally, but much lower than the expected nutritional contributions.
Dr Kierzek therefore insists on the real circuit of iodine: it
comes mainly from food. In his column, he cites fish, seafood, dairy products, eggs and iodized salt, recalling that salt should be consumed in moderation. To better understand this role, you can consult our file on iodine intake mainly from food.
This nuance also counts for supplements. The doctor wants to be reassuring on one point: people with thyroid disease do not have to fear the sea air itself. On the other hand, he reminds us not to take no algae-based supplement without medical adviceespecially in case of thyroid disorder, pregnancy, breastfeeding, treatment or doubt.
What feels good at the seaside is an environmental cocktail
If the seaside can leave an impression of freer breathing and relaxation, it is not mainly thanks to iodine. Instead, Dr. Kierzek describes a set of factors: wind, light, the horizon, the sound of waves, walking on sand and physical activity. He also talks about blue space: spending time near water is associated with less stress, better morale and better perceived health. This avenue remains to be understood as an association, not as a treatment for anxiety, insomnia or a respiratory disease. Our article on the benefits of green and blue spaces on mental health carefully details this link.
The doctor also mentions more ventilated air and sometimes less loaded with particles or pollen. To qualify: the air by the sea is not always purer. Actual quality depends on location, weather, ports, maritime traffic, roads and season. The pleasant feeling can therefore be real without being automatic everywhere.
The other major ingredient, he says, is movement: walking, swimming or cycling. Physical fatigue and outdoor exposure can promote better sleep in some people, without this becoming a promise against sleep disorders.
When you live far from the coast, the objective is not to copy the sea at all costs, but to regain part of the profit with accessible gestures:
- Walk near a lake, river or canal;
- Add a dose of green: forest, park or countryside;
- Use washing or moistening the nose with physiological serum or sea water during colds;
- Ventilate the home for at least 10 minutes per day; 10 minutes morning and evening can be a practical version;
- Listening to waves if this sound helps you relax, without expecting a guaranteed effect on sleep.
For adults’ blocked noses during colds, Health Insurance recommends suitable products such as physiological serum or a spray of thermal or sea water, avoiding sharing the same tip. Washing the nose with physiological serum or sea water can therefore be useful for moistening the nose, without being presented as treatment for the bronchi.
The right point to keep: the sea air can do good through its setting, its sounds, the light and the activity it encourages. For iodine, the reflex remains the plate, and in the event of thyroid disease or planning an iodine supplement, it is better to seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist.