Benefits Of Seaweed
The Many Health Benefits of Seaweed
The benefits of seaweed, or kelp, as a nutritional part of one’s diet has been known for centuries. Most early settlements around the world were in coastal areas where diets consisting of fish and shellfish were supplemented with kelp. The Japanese are perhaps the most well known consumers of seaweed. They have developed many ways to incorporate it into their cuisine, most notably as a wrap for many types of sushi.
In Ireland, Scotland, and Wales seaweed was an integral part of Neolithic diets and can be found in food products today. Lava bread is a traditional bread eaten in Wales still today. It is made from Laver or Nori seaweed and is usually eaten with cockles or bacon. It is now harvested mainly in Scotland. Carrageen, or Irish moss, is used in many food products because it has a unique gelling property. It can be found in foods that require thickening.
Kelp or Kombu is the most commercially viable natural food store variety of seaweed. It also has binding or emulsifying capabilities. A traditional Chinese soup made from Kombu is called Dashi. Wakame is another seaweed variety that has great nutritional value, however it is considered an invasive species in New Zealand. Wakame almost has a sweet taste and is sometimes used to add a fish flavor to soups. There are also many other varieties of seaweed.
One of the obvious benefits of seaweed when cooking, is that it has an amazing flavor that cannot be duplicated. Another side benefit of eating seaweed is that you are indirectly supporting a healthier ocean. Many seaweed growing districts have strict limitations on coastal developments in order to protect the valuable seaweed from contamination.
The health benefits of seaweed cannot be over emphasized. This common plant provides vitamins and minerals that are extremely valuable for their abilities to improve one’s health.
There have been numerous studies that have shown that seaweed will ease the painful osteoarthritis symptoms by about fifteen percent. Patients who participated in the studies for a period of three months described a marked improvement in range of motion and a reduced need for pain medications.
Seaweed, especially in a concentrated extract formulation, contains very high amounts of minerals as well as being a good source of iodine. Seaweed also contains significant amounts of minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper, and calcium.
Adding seaweed to your diet has been proven to be good for your heart as well. It has properties that have been found to lower cholesterol and blood circulation is improved. There is anecdotal evidence that diets containing seaweed may also help to lower blood pressure. This is thought to occur because the salty taste of seaweed causes people to use less table salt on their foods.
Seaweed contains a substance called alginate. This is an odorless and tasteless substance that is thought to increase metabolism. Seaweed is also high in fiber causing you to feel full sooner. These two characteristics make seaweed a great addition to any weight loss diet plan.
Seaweed also contains a substance called alginate. Alginate naturally binds to free radicals, heavy metals, and even some radioactive materials that are present in the body. When the seaweed is flushed out of the system, it takes these toxins with it. Seaweed is therefore a natural way to detoxify your system.
Seaweed extract is used to prevent the growth and spread of cancerous growths in the body. Seanol is another substance in seaweed. Seanol is an antioxidant that is more powerful than other antioxidants that are found in land based plants. The antioxidant works to rid the body of free radicals, known to cause cancer, and it provides you with better mental acuity and extra energy.