Savoring Seaweed

by Dr. Amy Wiesner

Seaweed is being extolled as another superfood--and for good reason. It is not only highly nutritional, but has been shown to have health-improving effects as well.

Seaweed, or sea vegetables as they are also called, is a form of algae that grows in salt water. There are many thousands of varieties, many of which are edible. They are green, brown, red and black in color. We know mostly of the Japanese using seaweed in sushi, but it is used in food throughout Asia and even in the British Isles.

Traditional Chinese Medical doctors have been using sea vegetables to treat their patients for thousands of years. In other ancient societies, sea vegetables were used to bind wounds due to their anti-microbial properties. Types of sea vegetables include nori, spirulina, wakame, hijiki, Irish moss, chlorella and dulse.

Nutritionally, sea vegetables are abundant in minerals including iodine, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper and selenium. Protein content varies by species, but red algae like nori and dulse generally have the most and it can equal the levels of protein found in soybeans. Vitamins in sea vegetables include B12, C and E, thus making it a good addition to a vegetarian’s diet.

Polysaccharides, which are fibrous and have been shown to have blood sugar and cholesterol-lowering properties, are also found in abundance. Due to the fiber content, they cause satiety and help keep the digestive tract healthy. Fucoidan, a type of polysaccharide found in brown sea vegetables, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and immuno-modulating effects.  It also has anti-tumor and radioprotective properties.

Carotenoids, which are antioxidants, are found in green, red and brown algae, further making sea vegetables an excellent addition to the diet.

Eating sea vegetables regularly can both prevent and treat illness, thus making it an appetizing addition to the diet. Care should be taken however, in individuals with thyroid dysfunction as too much iodine, as found in sea vegetables, could exacerbate the condition.

Image courtesy of www.seaweed.ie.

Comments

[multi mineral]

What a great blog. Thanks for the posting. I will keep visiting your blog.

[Paul]

Sea weed and quinoa are the new superfoods because they are filled with all kinds of vitamins and minerals which equal antioxidants and those prevent cancer.

[plumbing supplies]

As a health conscious person I know that these would benefit me well. I gotta buy sea weed products.