a Healthy Sea Vegetable Food
Seaweed is one of the most important detox plant you can find. They help with overall health mainly benefiting the digestive tract, cardiovascular system and improve tooth and gum health. They will aid your body in recovering from the flu, may help with diabetes even obesity and cancer.
Algae are ideal for hair and skin, they are found in most beauty products. They are being consumed for at least a thousand years if not more by peoples of the far east. They are rich in vitamins and proteins, they can be used as aphrodisiacs and even to prevent the process of aging.
Not 300 years ago, in Japan and China, only 6 species of algae were consumed, today about 20 species are known to be cooked in one way or another from the 20 thousand species that exist.
Algae come in different shapes and sizes, some are a few cm in length and others can reach up to 300 m and have different colors: green, red, brown and blue. In traditional medicine, algae have been used for illnesses such as the common flu, constipation, and arthritis. Algae are full in potassium and iodine, because of this, algae also have an antibacterial effect on the human body.
More on the benefits of consuming seaweed:
1. They keep your heart healthy
Algae are known to drop your ghrelin levels, a hormone which controls hunger, making you eat less. Algae also lower cholesterol levels, by doing this, they are thinning the blood which leads to a greater circulation and prevents blood clots from being created.
Fat content in algae is very low, never exceeding 5% but rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Moreover, algae are rich in protein, which is very similar to animal protein.
2. Detoxifies the body
Algae have the ability to clean the body and facilitate the elimination of toxic waste . They have the power to absorb toxic materials and remove them from the body through bowel movements. It also regulates bowel movement and has a beneficial effect on diabetes control . They contain a compound called fucoxanthin , which exert an anti – diabetic effect , regulating blood sugar levels .
Edible seaweed possesses anti-obesity effects . The compound fucoxanthin from within the seaweed helps in reducing the accumulation of fat and also in losing weight. They also have a laxative effect, maintaining a strong and healthy digestion.
More, seaweed stimulates the release of digestive enzymes and also facilitates the absorption of nutrients and fat. Algae improve the function of beneficial bacteria in the stomach and protect the stomach wall against harmful bacteria.
3. An important source of iodine
Appreciated for centuries in Asia and enjoyed as real delicacies and at the same time full of nutrients, algae became popular in the last decades in Europe as well.
Seaweed is mostly composed of: iodine, broom, magnesium, sodium, calcium, copper, sulfide, phosphorus, fatty acids and the list can go on.
Iodine is an essential mineral which ensures the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Copper and iron are responsible for the health and fluidity of your blood, magnesium for the muscles and nerves and calcium for bones.
Potassium keeps the cells healthy while zinc keeps your immune system in check.
A note on iodine, it’s very important for all group ages and extremely important when pregnant and lactating.
4. Prevents cancer
Algae have been proven to be efficient against cancer. Having a high concentration of chlorophyll they increase the uptake of oxygen in the cells thus giving the body a fighting chance against cancer. Some compounds found in algae can aid in fighting some forms of tumors, especially in breast cancer.
5. Skin and hair
Algae are renowned for their unique properties, having powerful anti-aging effects. They are rich in protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, mineral salts, and vitamins.
Creams and masks with algae ensure the skin gets a good detox, getting rid of acne and even helps in removing cellulite. Algae extracts are being more and more used in the pharmaceutical and beauty industries. They hydrate the skin and reduce the wrinkles and can go even further to heal open wounds and make some scars disappear entirely.
Sometimes algae can be recommended to persons who are in the early stages of cataract.
Because of the amino acids and the E vitamin, algae are an ally for the ladies which are at constant war with cellulite. Just grab some algae powder and mix it with some lemon juice and a little bit of honey, apply to the troublesome area, cover the area with a thin plastic sheet. Leave it for 20 to 30 minutes. This mixture can also be applied to the hair, by doing this, your hair will grow stronger with firmer roots and will be shinier. Combined with daily physical exercise would result in visible effects.
6. Can help your teeth and gums
Seaweed extracts are highly valued for their detention in tooth decay. Also, their anti-inflammatory properties enhance salivary glands making oral tissues stronger.
The Bacillus licheniformis bacteria, which can be found in marine algae, can penetrate the plaque, in this way acting upon areas where toothpaste has no effect. Besides destroying bacteria, these enzymes can also prevent the emergence of a new layer of bacteria.
7. DNA and RNA
It is scientifically proved that blue-green algae contain DNA and RNA. These two nucleic acids are part of the genetic material, having anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties.
The DNA and RNA derived from the seaweed can be picked up by our digestive system and be used for the genetic restoration of our cells.
Known Side Effects of Seaweed
Self-medication is more dangerous than the medication itself, and this principle also holds true for natural products. When it comes to treatment, a medical advice is essential.
Seaweed contains concentrations of heavy metals and chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and lead, which can be poisonous to the body. Also, the excessive consumption of seaweed can cause gastrointestinal problems, kidney disease, cancer or even brain damage.
Nutritional Values of Seaweed (100 g Seaweed, kelp, raw)
| Minerals | Vitamins | Lipids |
|---|---|---|
| 168 mg of Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg of Vitamin C | 0.247 g of Fatty acids (saturated) |
| 2.85 mg of Iron, Fe | 0.05 mg of Thiamin | 0.09 g of Fatty acids (monounsaturated) |
| 121 mg of Magnesium, Mg | 0.15 mg of Riboflavin | 0.047 g of Fatty acids (polyunsaturated) |
| 42 mg of Phosphorus, P | 0.47 mg of Niacin | |
| 89 mg of Potassium, K | 0.002 mg of Vitamin B-6 | |
| 233 mg of Sodium, Na | 180 µg of Folate, DFE | |
| 1.23 mg Zinc, Zn | 0.87 mg of Vitamin E | |
| 66 µg of Vitamin K |
Also, by consuming copious amounts of seaweed (algae) iodine levels increase in the body over the accepted dose, this may lead to thyroid growth hormones causing thyroid cancer
Seaweed Common Usage
Seaweed extracts can be consumed as powder or tablets and can also be added to foods.
For external use, algae are used in baths.
There are a few baths with seaweed one might take while the seaweed is fresh (whole or chopped), dried seaweed (harvested during summer and let to dry in special places) and even seaweed with mud.
With all this being said, we can easily conclude that being our ancestor’s secret to health and longevity, seaweed deserves its name of “super-food”
It has a lot of properties and beneficial effects on the human body, strengthening the immune system and fighting cancer. Algae is also known for having powerful anti-aging effects, being rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats.