Seaweed

The health benefits of seaweed and why you need to add this to your lifestyle.

Seaweed or sea vegetables are forms of algae that grow in the sea.

They’re a food source for ocean life and range in color from red to green to brown to black.

Seaweed grows along rocky shorelines around the world, but it’s most commonly eaten in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and China.

Benefits of seaweed:

-THYROID HEALTH:

Contains iodine and tyrosine, which support thyroid function
Richest source of iodine, which is a component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), - both of which are essential to human life.

The daily value (DV) of iodine for adults is 150 mcg per day.

Below is the average iodine content of three different dried seaweeds:

• Nori: 37 mcg per gram (25% of the DV)

• Wakame: 139 mcg per gram (93% of the DV)

• Kombu: 2523 mcg per gram (1,682% of the DV)

  Seaweed also contains an amino acid called tyrosine, which is used alongside iodine to make two key hormones that help the thyroid gland do its job properly.

  -GOOD SOURCE OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS

  Each type of seaweed has a unique set of nutrients.

  Seaweed also contains small amounts of vitamins A, C, E, and K, along with folate, zinc, sodium, calcium, and magnesium.

  It also contains other vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, B vitamins, zinc, and iron, along with antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage.

  The proteins present in some seaweeds, such as spirulina and chlorella, contain all of the essential amino acids. This means seaweed can help ensure you get the full range of amino acids.

  Seaweed can also be a good source of omega-3 fats and vitamin B12.

  It appears that dried green and purple seaweed contain substantial amounts of vitamin B12. One studyTrusted Source found 2.4 mcg or 100% of the RDI of vitamin B12 in 4 to 8 grams of nori seaweed.

  -Contains a variety of protective antioxidants

  In addition to containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, seaweed boasts a wide variety of beneficial plant compounds, including flavonoids and carotenoids.

  A lot of research has focused on one particular carotenoid called fucoxanthin.

  It’s the main carotenoid found in brown algae, such as wakame, and it has 13.5 timesTrusted Source the antioxidant capacity of vitamin E.

  While the body does not always absorb fucoxanthin well, absorption may be improved by consuming it along with fat.

  Provides fiber and polysaccharides that can support your gut health

  Seaweed contains a lot of fiber, which is believed to provide little to no calories.

  -PREVENTS BIRTH DEFECTS:
  Folic acid in seaweed can prevent certain birth defects, including spina bifida.
  
  -PREVENTS HEART DISEASE:
  Also a great source of magnesium, which has been shown to reduce high blood pressure and prevent heart attacks.

  Seaweed may help reduce your blood cholesterol levels.

  Heart disease can also be caused by excessive blood clotting. Seaweed contains carbohydrates called fucans, which may help prevent blood from clotting.

  -CANCER PREVENTION:
  Seaweeds contain lignans, which inhibit blood cell growth (the process through which fast-growing tumors gain extra nourishment and cause metastases in other areas of the body).
  
  Lignans also inhibit estrogen synthesis in fat cells as effectively as some of the drugs used in cancer chemotherapy.
  
  Great source of B-vitamin folic acid. Studies have shown that diets high in folate-rich foods are associated with a significantly reduced risk for colon cancer.

  -STRESS RELIEF:
  Also provides stress relief by supplying magnesium as well as pantothenic acid and riboflavin--two B vitamins necessary for energy production. Pantothenic acid is especially important for the health of the adrenal glands. When supplies of pantothenic acid are inadequate, stress can exhaust the adrenals resulting in chronic fatigue, reduced resistance to allergies and infection, and a feeling of being overwhelmed or overly anxious.