According to researchers, giving up dairy could drop a person’s IQ by 13 points.

Experts fear that with a growing number of youngsters choosing to turn vegan, there could be serious health consequences for future generations.

According to a new study, ditching dairy could see a drop fo 13 IQ points because of a lack of iodine in the body.

Experts fear that with a growing number of youngsters choosing to turn vegan, there could be serious health consequences for future generations.

Studies have shown a startling difference in the IQ of communities who have adequate amounts of iodine in their diet compared to those who don't.

And if they don't have enough during pregnancy, it could put babies at serious risk.

Speaking to The Sun Online, dietician Helen Bond said that a lot of people are opting for a more plant-based diets.

Many of them think they're lactose intolerant or that they chose to remove dairy because of environmental or medical reasons.

"Unfortunately the dairy alternative products out there aren't fortified with calcium. One of the best sources of iodine in our diet are dairy products. Other things like fish, eggs and even poultry does provide smaller amounts,” she says, adding that without iodine in the diet it can cause real tiredness in teenagers because it's needed for the correct functioning of the thyroid.

Moreover, she added that babies born to mothers who have really low intakes of iodine during pregnancy can suffer from mental retardation.

According to researchers at the University of Surrey who looked at the iodine content of 47 health milks - including soya, coconut, almond rice and oat milk - the levels of iodine were two per cent lower of those in cow's milk, The Times reported.