4 Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Seaweed

Seaweed is a form of algae that grows in the sea and provides a vital food nutrition source for many marine animals and life. The colors can vary from green to red and black to brown. It grows all around the world but it’s more common to find it on the menu in places such as Korea, China and Japan.

The great thing about seaweed is that it's incredibly versatile and can be eaten alone or added to dishes such as soups, salads, stews or smoothies.

Here at 'Ohana Green Witches we’ve created our Mermaid Seasoning which is a herbal spice blend packed full of Dulce seaweed along with other nutritious herbs and seeds. Dulce seaweed contains high levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which help with heart health, brain function and a healthy nervous system. We recommend adding the seasoning to eggs, roasted vegetables, avocado on toast, chicken or fish. You can find out more about it’s medicinal benefits here.

Here are 4 main benefits of seaweed:

Great Source of Tyrosine & Iodine

Seaweed is packed full of Tyrosine and Iodine both of which support your thyroid function. Our thyroids rely on iodine to make our hormones. If your body doesn’t get enough iodine you may experience weight gain or loss and fatigue. Seaweed absorbs iodine from the sea in concentrated amounts. One of the best sources of iodine is kelp.

Contains Protective Antioxidants

Our bodies need antioxidants to make the unstable substances called free radicals found in our bodies less reactive. Seaweed contains antioxidants such as carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamins A, C and E.

Packed Full of Nutrients

Each different type of seaweed has its own set of nutrients and is full of vitamins and minerals including folate, sodium, zinc, magnesium, calcium and vitamin A, C, E and K. This makes seaweed a great way to get your daily vitamin and mineral intake. It can also contain vitamin B12 and omega-3 fats.

May Help with a Reduction In Heart Disease

Seaweed and spirulina has been linked to a reduction in heart disease in some studies as seaweed may help to reduce your blood cholesterol levels. Seaweeds contain a carbohydrate called funcans which have been linked to preventing blood clots. More human studies are still needed in this area but the results so far are promising. Here are two studies that you may find interesting: study one, study two.

Takeaway

Seaweed is a welcomed addition to any diet. The medicinal benefits of seaweed can support a healthful diet and the flavor can boost a variety of recipes.