Most people know seaweed from sushi rolls, miso soup, ramen and other Japanese foods popularized across North America and Europe.

The humble seaweed has been the subject of much interest for quite some time. It was expected to be the ultimate health food of 2018 due to its rising value worldwide. In fact, its global worth is estimated to be at 17.59 million USD in 2021.

Seaweeds are classified based on their pigments, structure and other traits. Some of the common groups of seaweed include green algae (sea lettuce and sea grapes), brown algae (kombu, arame, kelp and wakame), red algae (dulse, laver and nori) and blue-green algae (spirulina and chlorella).

The health benefits of seaweed

Seaweed is a rising star in the world of health foods. Here are some of the numerous health benefits of eating seaweed:

1. Provides essential nutrients – Seaweed contains up to 20 times the nutrients in most salad greens and other land vegetables. Some of these nutrients include protein, fiber, iron and B complex vitamins.
2. Prevents thyroid disorders – Seaweed is one of the richest sources of iodine, an essential mineral that protects against goiters, Hashimoto’s disease and other thyroid disorders.
3. Aids in weight loss – Kelp contains alginate, a compound that inhibits the digestion of fat in the gut. This helps prevent people from becoming obese or overweight.
4. Strengthens bones – Dark green seaweeds contain the most calcium out of all seaweeds. Certain seaweeds are also rich in magnesium, another essential mineral for bone health.
5. Supports heart health – Peptides in seaweed help maintain normal blood pressure, thus minimizing the risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular complications.
6. Balances blood sugar – Alginate can also suppress sudden blood sugar spikes in individuals with prediabetes and diabetes.
7. Detoxes – Seaweeds like arame and hijiki contain high levels of soluble fiber that help mop up toxins and harmful substances lingering in the gut.
8. Nourishes the skin – One sheet of nori contains enough omega-3 fatty acids that protect the skin from inflammation, acne breakouts and other skin problems.

How to eat seaweed

Seaweed is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals that support important cellular processes. Eating it as part of a balanced diet can do wonders for an individual’s overall health.

But people who aren’t familiar with seaweed might find themselves at a loss over what to do with it. Here’s how seaweed is often consumed in both Asian and non-Asian cuisines:

1. Cook beans with kombu – Toss in a strip of kombu when cooking dried beans for a boost of flavor and nutrients.
2. Snack on nori – Nori is the Japanese name for the dried edible seaweed sheets found in most supermarkets. Although it is often used to wrap rolls of sushi, nori makes for a quite delicious snack on its own.
3. Add spirulina to smoothies – Add protein to fruit drinks or green smoothies with a teaspoon or two of spirulina.
4. Sprinkle seaweed flakes over dishes – You can also use seaweed flakes instead of salt for flavoring. Chop up dried seaweed sheets and sprinkle them over rice, salads and other dishes.
5. Add seaweed to soups and stews – Add seaweed to vegetable stocks, soups and stews for a delicious liquid-based food with a slight punch to it. You can also strain out the seaweed and other vegetable scraps to create a cleaner and smoother stock.
6. Mix seaweed into a salad dressing – Chop up dried seaweed sheets and mix them with olive oil, mustard, lemon juice and red wine vinegar for a quick and simple salad dressing.
7. Create a seaweed salad – Chop up a couple of dried seaweed sheets and toss them in with a bunch of salad greens like lettuce and kale. You can also incorporate other vegetables like cucumbers, carrots and radishes.

Seaweed is a nutritional powerhouse that offers a host of amazing health benefits. Eat them as part of a balanced diet to maximize their wide range of nutrients.

Learn more about the other health benefits of eating seaweed at Superfoods.news.

Sources:

DailyMail.co.uk

WellnessMama.com

IntegrativeNutrition.com