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Let's Enjoy the Benefits of Seaweed

The benefits of seaweed have been popular since ancient times. Since 300 years before Christ, seaweed has been consumed in east Asia as a daily side dish, and to treat diseases. Meanwhile, Roman culture used seaweed to treat wounds, burns, and skin rashes. Seaweed is part of the multi-cell family of algae which includes green algae, red algae, and brown algae. For centuries, seaweed has been excellent for medicinal, industrial and food ingredients because of its nutritional content. Until now, clinical trials for therapeutic recommendations using seaweed are still small, but the benefits of seaweed have been trusted by the community, especially as an important source of essential nutrients for health.

Types of Seaweed that can be consumed

There are various types of seaweed that can be consumed both when it is fresh, dried, cooked, until processed into a powder supplement, namely:
  • Nori: Red algae which are then processed into dry sheets and used to roll sushi.
  • Sea lettuce: Green nori that looks like a lettuce, can be consumed raw in a salad dish or cooked for soup mixture.
  • Kelp: Chocolate algae that is processed and dried into sheets. Can also be used as raw material for gluten-free noodles.
  • Kombu: A type of seaweed with a strong flavor and is commonly used to make soup broth.
  • Arame: Seaweed with a mild, sweet, and strong texture. This type of seaweed can be processed for a variety of dishes, including baked goods.
  • Wakame: Chocolate algae used to make fresh seaweed salad. Can also be cooked for soup or boiled.
  • Dulse: Red algae with a softer and more rubbery texture. This type of seaweed is used to add flavor to various dishes or eaten as a dry snack.
  • Chlorella: Green freshwater algae which are generally processed into supplements in powder form.
  • Agar and carrageenan: Shaped jelly which is usually used as a binder and thickener in a variety of food products that are sold commercially.
  • Spirulina: Often referred to as blue-green freshwater algae which can be eaten and sold in the form of tablets, flakes or powder.

Ingredients and Benefits of Seaweed

Seaweed is low in calories and fiber, but contains a variety of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals including magnesium, manganese, iodine, potassium, sodium, calcium, folate, iron, and copper, in quite high amounts. Seaweed also contains vitamins A, C, E, K, phosphorus, and choline, although in small amounts. In addition, seaweed is also rich in antioxidants that make seaweed have a variety of health benefits. Whatever the type, here are the benefits of seaweed that you can get when consuming it:
  • Improve thyroid function

  • Thyroid has an important role for the body's metabolic system. To carry out its functions, the thyroid gland needs iodine intake which can be obtained by consuming seaweed or iodized salt. Lack of iodine can cause hypothyroidism.
  • Improve heart health

  • Seaweed is a good source of water-soluble fiber, and contains omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that are beneficial for heart health. Several studies have shown that the nutritional content in seaweed seems to be able to reduce blood pressure, reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and total cholesterol, and prevent blood clots. However further clinical research is still needed to strengthen the evidence.
  • Stabilize blood sugar

  • Research shows that a diet high in fiber, which can be obtained from vegetables, fruit and seaweed, can help improve blood sugar levels. Fucoxantin and alginate compounds in seaweed are believed to reduce insulin resistance and stabilize blood sugar levels, and prevent type 2 diabetes.
  • Helps to lose weight

  • The fiber and fucoidan content, a type of polysaccharide sulfate found in seaweed is known to increase fat breakdown and prevent fat formation. Seaweed is also believed to regulate the hormone leptin, reduce hunger, and make the body feel full longer.
  • Strengthen the immune system

  • A number of laboratory studies have shown that antioxidant and anti-allergenic compounds in seaweed have the ability to fight various viruses, such as herpes and HIV, by blocking them from entering the body's cells. However, further research is needed to prove its effect on humans.
  • Improve intestinal health

  • The fiber content in seaweed can help prevent constipation and ensure digestion runs smoothly. Seaweed also contains prebiotics which are beneficial to the intestine and reduce the risk of certain harmful bacterial infections.
  • Reducing the risk of certain cancers

  • Several studies have shown that the benefits of seaweed that are consumed regularly can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Soluble fiber found in seaweed is also believed to help suppress the development of colon cancer. However, further research is still needed to prove this.
Seaweed is also known to provide protection against several diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, skin damage, to arthritis. Although good for health, you should not consume too much seaweed which is rich in iodine. Excess iodine can cause health problems in the form of the risk of bleeding, thyroid disorders, and kidney problems. Seaweed also contains metals, such as mercury, lead and cadmium, which can be harmful to the body. Therefore, it is recommended to limit the intake of seaweed by 4 grams per day.

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