Why is Seaweed so good for you?
Seaweed is a cover-all term describing many different types of marine algae. It grows wild in seas all over the world and is used for cooking, beauty and health purposes. In the kitchen it’s prepared as a dish on its own, an ingredient, a snack, a seasoning or even as a thickener.
Some of us use powdered algae such as Chlorella or Spirulina in smoothies or capsules. Many of us are familiar with nori seaweed, which is commonly wrapped around sushi. But there are hundreds of varieties of seaweed used for various purposes all over the world, and it’s growing in popularity all the time.
So what are some of the health benefits of seaweed?
It's a great source of Omega-3 healthy fats
Seaweed is an excellent source of beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, which are superb for your eyes, brain and heart, and can help fight heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
This study from 2008 concluded that Omega-3 fats can also significantly increase feeling of fullness, making any food rich in them invaluable for anyone trying to lose some weight.
Seaweed is full of Vitamin B12
Seaweed’s a brilliant source of Vitamin B12. This Japanese research paper showed that the B12 in chlorella is a good bioavailable source for mammals (such as us).
Vitamin B12 is essential for our keeping nervous system and blood cells healthy.
It contains iodine and tyrosine
Seaweed is a prime source of these two compounds, both of which, studies suggest, are extremely important for the thyroid gland, which helps improve the body’s metabolism and supports people with fatigue.
Tyrosine is also important for the creation of the brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, and can also assist with the function of the adrenal system.
There’s loads of fibre in seaweed – for instance, Arame seaweed is made up of roughly one-tenth fibre. This makes it a brilliant food for diabetics, as it can reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, and help reduce the risk of cardio-metabolic diseases. Seaweed also contains a marine carotenoid called fucoxanthin, which this scientific article concluded had a pronounced anti-diabetic effect, improving insulin resistance and decreasing blood glucose levels.
Seaweed is rich in potassium, iron, calcium, iodine, copper, manganese and magnesium, which are all minerals concentrated in seawater. Just one teaspoon (7 grams) of spirulina contains more than a fifth of the daily recommended dose of copper, which is very important to maintain a healthy nervous system, strong bones and a good metabolism.
It's a wise choice if you're pregnant
A Cornell University study recently found that consuming a good amount of choline, a chemical found in seaweed, during pregnancy can lead to enduring cognitive benefits for the offspring. Seaweed also contains folate, which is very important for the development of a healthy foetus, and is recommended by the NHS during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when the baby’s spine is developing.
Did we mention? Seaweed is tasty! Here at Healthy Supplies we have a fantastic range of loads of different types of seaweed, so come and have a look here!