Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) is a dark seaweed, found largely along the northern shorelines of the United States, and parts of the Baltic Sea. Its common name descends from a series of air pockets found throughout the main part of the plant, creating several bladder-like orifices. Bladderwrack has long been used as an additive in Eastern cuisine. The algae can be burned, then ground into a powder, which can add flavor and texture to a number of dishes. The plant is also eaten in basic form as a vegetable topping in salads. Bladderwrack has been found to contain many properties that promote health.
How It is Taken
Besides being eaten raw as a vegetable, bladderwrack is often brewed as a medicinal tea in Eastern cultures. In the West, bladderwrack is more commonly reduced into pill or powder form, and taken as a dietary supplement. When including bladderwrack in your diet, it's important to do so in congruence with your Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of iodine. The RDA is a scale used in the United States, to describe the necessary balance of vitamins an minerals, required by healthy individuals daily. The recommended daily allowances of iodine for both males and female adolescents and young adults is 150 micrograms.
Acid Reflux (Heartburn)
Bladderwrack produces a calming effect within the digestive tract, making it a key ingredient in many heartburn medications. During digestion, a component of bladderwrack changes into a jelly-like material, that coats and soothes the stomach and intestinal lining. This material is also thought to form a shield at the uppermost part of the stomach, preventing food from returning through the esophagus, once eaten.
Removing Metals
A component of bladderwrack, fucoidan, bonds to and eliminates heavy metals from the bloodstream. Fucoidan, in the same way, absorbs radioactive material, making it a useful tool for reducing toxicity in the body. Removing toxic elements from your system improves overall cellular function and vitality.
Thyroid
Bladderwrack is a rich source of iodine, sometimes prescribed to treat certain disorders of the thyroid gland. However, the research regarding the utility of treating thyroid disorders with bladderwrack is still under question, and any attempt to do so is best done under careful watch of a licensed physician.
Nutritional Content
Bladderwrack is a good source of vitamins A and C. It also contains vitamins in the B-complex, those partly responsible for metabolism at the cellular level. Bladderwrack is rich in beneficial minerals, such as iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc. In addition, it contains essential fatty acids and oils that regulate and promote healthy cardiac and respiratory function.
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