Seaweed is basically sea vegetables that are just your distinctive algae that grow in the ocean . They are not only a food source for the various sea life , but even humans can consume seaweed for the many health benefits associated with these sea veg . Seaweed is commonly found in a broad scope of gloss , from brown to black to even red to leafy vegetable . Seaweed is found almost all throughout the world and it grows along the rocky shorelines . It is most commonly consume in Asiatic countries such as China , Korea , and Japan . Seaweed is extremely various and due to this , it is used in a wide range of lulu such as stews , soups , sushi rolls , smoothy , supplements , and even salads .
Health Benefits of Seaweed
Let us take a skinny face at some of the surprising wellness benefits of seaweed .
Seaweed is an Excellent Source of Vitamins and Minerals
There are many different eccentric of seaweed available and the surprising part is that each one of these seaweeds has a unique set of nutrients that bring home the bacon various health benefits .
For example , study have shown that 1 tablespoon ( just about 7 Hans C. J. Gram ) of dried spirulina ( a type of seaweed ) contains the following .
Just by sprinkling a small scrap of dry seaweed on top of your food , you may not only enhance the penchant and savour , but it also add an extra grain to the repast , while boosting the intake of vitamins and minerals .
Seaweed take small amounts of vitamins A , E , K , and C , as well as zinc , sodium , folate , magnesium , and Ca .
While seaweed might not impart too much to the RDIs mentioned above , but still using seaweed as season at least two times a week is the easiest mode of tote up these nutrient in your diet .
There is also some protein present in some types of seaweed , such as chlorella and spirulina . These seaweed contain nearly all of the essential amino group battery-acid that your body take , ensure that you are have the full range of essential amino group Zen that the body requires .
At the same meter , seaweed is an excellent source of omega-3 fats and vitamin B12 .
Dried purple and green colored seaweed , in fact , carry a rich amount of vitamin B12 . A sketch done by the Kochi Women ’s University in Japan find that there is 2.4 microgram or 100 per centum of the vitamin B12 RDI present in only four g of nori seaweed .
However , disregarding of all the vitamin and mineral contained in seaweed , there is still a bait debate going on about whether your organic structure can really absorb and practice the vitamin B12 found as well as the other vitamin and mineral found in seaweed .
Seaweeds Supports Thyroid Function
The thyroid secretory organ is one of the most important glands of the body as it free internal secretion that help in energy production , control increase , have a role to play in replica , and also renovate the damaged cell of your body . The thyroid gland gland typically relies on tincture of iodine for making these endocrine . When sufficient amounts of tincture of iodine are not present , then you may begin to experience changes that indicate unnatural performance of the thyroid gland gland , such as weight changes , swell of the neck and tiredness over a full stop of time .
Generally , the RDI for atomic number 53 is 150 mcg per day .
Seaweed is unique in that it imbibe a lot of hard iodine from the sea . The iodine capacity in seaweed varies depend on which eccentric of seaweed you are consuming , where the seaweed has been growing , and how it has been processed . It is estimated that only one dried sheet of seaweed can contain virtually 11 to 1,989 per centum of the recommended daily intake of tincture of iodine .
Here ’s a look at the average iodin content found in three commonly found dried seaweeds .
aside from these three seaweeds , kelp is known to contain one of the highest levels of iodine . Even a single teaspoonful , or 3.5 grams , of dried kelp , is known to contain nearly 60 time the RDI for iodine .
Seaweed is also plentiful in an amino acid know as tyrosine , which is also required by the body alongside iodine for making the two chief internal secretion that keep the thyroid gland gland functioning properly .
Seaweeds are Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants protect the body from precarious substances known as free radicals . The uptake of seaweed , which are fertile in antioxidative properties , will prevent the body from wrong being due to these free radicals .
superfluous production of free radicals is consider to be one of the big underlying causes of many diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease .
asunder from bear the antioxidants vitamins E , C , and A , seaweed also includes a caboodle of good plant - based compounds , such as carotenoids and flavonoids . Both carotenoids and flavonoids are proven to allow protection against terms to the cells by innocent chemical group .
Research has particularly been sharpen on a type of carotenoid known as fucoxanthin . Fucoxanthin is particularly institute in browned algae such as wakame , and it is known to have nearly 14 times more antioxidant properties as compared to vitamin E. Studies by the Hokkaido University in Japan has bear witness that fucoxanthin has protective property that protect cell membranes even better than the auspices provided by vitamin A.
However , the human body is unable to engulf fucoxanthin in good order , which is why it should be consumed together with fatty tissue to boost the absorption mental process .
Good Gut Health Benefits of Seaweeds
Gut bacterium have a immense role to play in wield your overall health . Research estimates that there are more cells of bacterium in your consistency as compared to human cubicle . If an asymmetry occur between the ‘ good ’ and the ‘ risky ’ bacteria cells in the gut , then it can cause many illnesses .
Seaweed is known to be a neat seed of fiber , which help in boosting your gut health .
In fact , fiber earn up for around 25 to 75 percent of the dry exercising weight of seaweed . This percentage is much higher than the fiber content present in most veg and fruits .
fibre is known to dissent digestion , which is why it helps prevent a spike in your blood lettuce point after a repast . fibre is also a practiced food source for the friendly bacterium present in your with child intestine .
Furthermore , there is sure sugar in seaweed known as sulfated polysaccharide , which aid increase the growing of the ‘ favorable ’ gut bacterium .
These sulfate polyose also boost the production of SCFA ( inadequate - chain fatty acids ) . SCFAs are known to provide nourishment and sustenance to the cells that line the gut .
Weight Loss Benefits of Seaweed
As mentioned above , seaweed is a rich germ of fiber . Fiber does not have any kilocalorie , gain it a groovy source of lose weighting . The roughage present in seaweed also promotes a deadening emptying of the stomach , help you feel full for a longer menstruation of time , thus also stay any hunger pangs .
aside from the presence of high levels of fibre , seaweed is also known to have sure anti - obesity event . Many creature studies have shown that the substance fucoxanthin present in seaweed helps decrease body fat . In fact , one brute study found that the rats who were given fucoxanthin ended up losing substantial free weight , while the scab who were given the mastery dieting without fucoxanthin did not lose weight . The subject area was carried out by the Laboratory of Biofunctional Material Chemistry at the Hokkaido University in Japan . Their results found that fucoxanthin increase the grammatical construction of a specific protein that helps metabolise adipose tissue in these blackleg .
While other fauna studies have also reached interchangeable finish , there have been no human study done till day of the month that prove the same effects in humans as well , though the effect are probable to be the same in humans as well .
Furthermore , fucoxanthin has also present to dramatically small blood sugar level in rats , another factor helping boost weight deprivation .
It is , however , of import that the same findings are replicate in human cogitation to conclude this with certainty .
Are There Any Dangers of Consuming Seaweed?
While seaweed is considered to be a very healthy solid food to have , there are certain potential danger of consuming too much seaweed . These include .
Seaweed contains a very tumid amount of iodine . In some type of seaweed , the amount of I can be potentially dangerous . However , on the other hand , the high iodine intake of the Nipponese universe is think to be the reason why they are amongst the healthiest race of people in the world . The daily average ingestion of iodine amongst the Japanese universe is expected to be around 1,000 to 3,000 mcg , which is nearly 667 to 2,000 percent of the RDI for iodine . This is do it to be a significant risk for multitude who use up seaweed every twenty-four hour period because 1,100 mcg of iodine is said to be the tolerable upper limit of iodine consumption for adult on a casual foundation . The pull through grace here , though , is that in most Asiatic cultures , seaweed is generally consumed along with foods that inhibit the uptake of this redundant iodin by the thyroid secreter .
Seaweed also has a heavy alloy load . This means that seaweed is capable to assimilate and salt away minerals in very saturated amounts . This is a significant health risk because seaweed also contains very large amounts of some toxic heavy metals such as booster cable , mercury , and atomic number 48 . The heavy metal message in most seaweeds is typically below the maximum engrossment that is tolerate in most countries and studies have found that the amount of metal contained in the common type of seaweed that are have are unlikely to place any major health jeopardy . Nevertheless , if you are consuming seaweed on a day-after-day footing or on a regular basis , there is a potential risk of these heavy metals building up in your body over a time period of time . It is better to grease one’s palms constituent seaweed , which is probable to contain a lesser amount of heavy alloy .
Conclusion
Seaweed is becoming a pop ingredient in many types of cuisines all around the human race . Seaweed is the best source of dietetical iodine you may get and it will aid support your thyroid gland tremendously . asunder from iodine , seaweed also contains many important vitamin and mineral such as B vitamin , vitamin K , iron , and atomic number 30 . It is also full-bodied in antioxidant , which protects the cell of your body from damage triggered by free base . However , keep in mind that too much of iodine can also harm your thyroid function . This is why for attain the best health benefits from seaweed , enjoy this ingredient in small quantity on a regular basis .
