Now extensively available in the United States as a snack, meal ingredient, and dietary supplement, seaweed is a common component in several Asian cuisines.
A wholesome and nutrient-dense way to increase the number of vitamins and minerals in your diet is by eating seaweed. Regular use may improve your health and aid in disease prevention.
What is Seaweed?
- A broad phrase used to cover numerous varieties of marine plants and algae is “seaweed.”
- It may flourish in various glasses of water, including lakes, rivers, and the ocean.
- It is typically edible, whereas freshwater algae are usually poisonous.
- Color is used to categorize edible seaweed. The three most popular colors to consume are red, green, and blue-green.
- Its size can vary significantly as well.
- While kelp can grow exceedingly tall and be rooted in the ocean floor, phytoplankton can be minuscule.
Whether you consume seaweed as food or as a dietary supplement, it has several advantages.
- Numerous minerals and trace elements are abundant in seaweed.
- In contrast to most other foods, it frequently has higher concentrations of these nutrients: protein, fat, carb fiber, folate,riboflavin thiamin, copper, iron, and also magnesium
- An abundant source of antioxidants is seaweed.
- Sulfated polysaccharides (sPS), advantageous plant chemicals believed to contribute to seaweed’s health advantages, are also significant.
- It Helps In Conditions related to Thyroid, Heart Diseases, Diabetes, weight management, immune system, and digestive health and also protects against cancer
Other Health Benefits
Inflammatory illnesses, bone loss, and skin damage are different conditions that seaweed may help to prevent.
When applied directly to the skin, the compounds in seaweed may help shield the skin from UVB light damage from the sun. Additionally, they might aid in avoiding wrinkles, sun spots, and early skin aging .
Regarding illness prevention, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it may help lower the risk of getting osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Is Eating Seaweed Safe?
For the majority of people, eating it fresh is deemed safe. However, frequent or excessive consumption may result in some unwanted effects.
Some types can have high concentrations of mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic depending on where they are farmed.
Supplements are less strictly monitored and may include levels that are harmful to health.
Look for seaweed or algae supplements that have undergone independent third-party testing to confirm their safety.
Conclusion
- You should include it in your diet.
- There are a wide range of interesting and unique types that are high in nutrients but low in calories.
- Almost everyone can benefit from the significant amounts of fibre, healthy fats, and plant components found in seaweed.
- The best aspect is that it is really adaptable.
- You can consume it as a snack, as a component of a dish, in shakes and smoothies, or as a supplement.