Seaweed health benefits and its nutritional value have played a large part in the staple diet of many eastern countries for centuries. In the West we are more used to seaweed in the form of sushi but this superfood has a lot more to offer.
It is sometimes referred to as the perfectly balanced natural food. Packed with minerals and trace minerals, these sea veggies have access to all 92 minerals that sea water naturally contains. In fact seaweed contain 10 -20 times the minerals of land foods, an abundance of vitamins and other elements for metabolism.
With soils being depleted of nutrients, our food is less nutritious today. The best seaweed health benefit is that it is one of the best sources of nutrient rich, non-toxic foods with which we can nourish our bodies - a food that hasn't been tampered with or altered with genetic modification.
Wakame - long hard strips that can be softened with water.
Dulse - a soft chewy, dried whole leaf of a reddish colour or flakes for seasoning.
Nori - This seaweed is well-known in sushi and is dark purple or green coloured sheets.
Kelp - popular as a health supplement. Kelp is light brown in colour and usually available as flakes or in powder form.
Arame - comes in a lazy, wiry form and is sweet and mild in taste.
Lignans are a type of polyphenol found in seaweeds. They have numerous health benefits due to their antioxidant properties, and they can help protect against cancer, diabetes, heart disease and more. Lignans are also thought to play a role in regulating hormones like estrogen, which may be beneficial for women's reproductive health. Foods that are high in lignans include sesameseeds, flaxseeds, oats, barley and raspberries. Incorporating these foods into your diet can help you get the most out of the powerful antioxidants that lignans provide.
Kelp capsules are a natural dietary supplement derived from the seaweed of the same name. Kelp is a mineral-rich form of algae and is packed with vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and other nutrients. Taking kelp capsules can provide numerous health benefits like supporting immunity, boosting metabolic rate and aiding in weight loss. It can also help regulate hormones due to its high iodine content, reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol levels. Additionally, it may be beneficial for people with thyroid issues due to its natural thyroid stimulating properties.
Protection against cancer. - sea vegetables contain large amounts of lignans which are plant compounds that protect against cancers of all kind.
Support healthy thyroid function - low thyroid function is often related to the lack of iodine. Kelp is the richest source of iodine which is the component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triidithyronine. Kelp can help to regulate proper thyroid function.
Source of calcium - 1 teaspoon of cult mixed in a glass of water contains 10 times more calcium than a glass of milk.
Protects against birth defects and cardiovascular disease - Ocean vegetables contain folic acid which is important for the prevention of birth defects and spina bifida. Folic acid is also known to break down homo cysteine which helps to reduce high blood pressure.
Anti-inflammatory - high magnesium levels present in seaweed act as a natural relaxant and anti-inflammatory.
Relief of menopause symptoms - Lignans are found in seaweed act as a weak estrogen and along with magnesium may help to restore normal sleep patterns and reduce hot flushes.
Detox from heavy metals - it is believed that some seaweeds can help cleanse the body of toxic pollutants. The science behind it states that because these plants have high levels of alginic acid, they bind with any heavy metals in the intestines. This makes the heavy metals indigestible and so can safely be expelled from the body.
Seaweeds is a powerful aid to continuous detoxification because as well as being a natural nutritional supplement, it is ·a unique food source of all the micro-nutrients that improve metabolism.
There are many ways you can add seaweed to your diet depending on what type of dish you’re looking to make. Here are just a few suggestions:
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