The Health Benefits of Seaweed

Health Benefits of Seaweed
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 Benefits of eating seaweed were mainly explored by island and coastal inhabitants. Seaweeds are nothing but algae from seawater, that use sunlight to photosynthesize food for themselves. Although, their structure is simpler than land plants, seaweed nutritional benefits are unique in nature.

Sweet kelp (Laminaria saccharina) is a sweeter variety of kelp, which is considered as a health food that offers endocrine system benefits to help prevent breast cancers.

Carrageen, or Irish moss (Chondrus crispus) displays emulsifying and gelling properties. It is an invariable ingredient of various commercial desserts. It is also used to thicken foods. The veggies who don't want to use gelatine can use Irish moss.

Laver or lava (Porphyra umilicali) is a type of kelp popular in Ireland and the Wales. Lava bread is well known and still eaten today with cockles and bacon. Japanese nori is also a similar type of plant and is much sought after. Laver or nori are packed with iodine, iron and protein. They are also rich in vitamin A, vitamin B2( riboflavin), vitamin C, potassium, magnesium. Moreover it is a low fat food.

Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) is a type of kelp which is common in all parts of the world. It is generally added in soups and stews. It is rich in EPA, an essential fatty acid and it shows anti-obesity properties. It can help you lose weight fast. Wakame, green colored seaweed is sweet to taste and has a a slippery consistency. When added to soup, it offers fish flavor to the soup.

Palmaria palmata, or dulse is another delicious seaweed, which is also known as sea parsley. It contains 10-20% of protein and is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, iron and beta carotene. It is used for making skin care and cosmetic products. You must have heard about benefits of seaweed wrap. In special spa treatments, a seaweed wrap is applied over your body. It helps open the pores in the skin, makes the skin supple and soft and imparts a natural glow to the skin. It detoxifies and exfoliates your skin. It also helps tighten the skin and prevents it from sagging after weight loss. The rich nutrients in seaweed contribute towards seaweed benefits for skin. Read more on seaweed wrap.

Thousands of varieties of kelp (Laminaria digitata) are available almost all over the world. It is a brown seaweed and is present in all sorts of commercial products, such as toothpastes, cosmetics, fertilizers, etc. It is exceptionally rich in iodine. Read more on iodine uses. It is used to prevent goiter and to treat thyroid problems. Kelp or Kombu (Japanese name) provides large amounts of iron, magnesium and folate (vitamin B9). It is unanimously considered as 'super food'. Read more on kelp benefits.

Seaweed health benefits can also be availed by using dried seaweed or roasted seaweed or seaweed extract. Dry seaweed is quite lightweight and easy to store and pack. Roasted seaweed is the characteristic ingredient of Japanese delicacy 'sushi'. Roasted seaweed benefits and dried seaweed benefits are the same as the benefits of vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium and carbohydrates present in seaweed. The only difference is that when the seaweed is dried or roasted, the harmful bacteria that thrive on the seaweed for food, are killed and destroyed.

Seaweed Extract Benefits

Seaweed benefits and seaweed extract benefits can be noticed within a few days after starting the use of seaweeds in daily diet.

• Seaweed as well as seaweed extract help in detoxification of body.
• Seaweeds in any form are beneficial for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
• When added to your food, seaweed extract makes your food 'high fiber food', which helps improve your digestive health and also overall health.
• Alginate from seaweed helps increase metabolism and thus, can prevent weight gain from consumption of high-fat, high-calorie foods.
• Seaweed or seaweed extract can enhance the functioning of the immune system, helping the body fight viral infections such as herpes.
• Seanol, a powerful antioxidant from seaweeds helps boost energy and mental alertness. It inhibits the growth of free radicals which helps reduce the chances of cancer cells growth.
• Seaweed can relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis by around 15%. An increase in mobility and reduction in pain is noticed in patients of arthritis after regular use of seaweed extract.

The taste of seaweed is fantastic and seaweed benefits are significant. Seaweed is a cheap and natural health food, available to everyone, in all seasons. The above mentioned seaweed health benefits must have cleared all your doubts and you can now suggest others also to include seaweed in their diet.