Sargassum seaweed is a type of brown seaweed found off the coast of China and Japan. Sodium alginate is a food additive made from the cell walls of brown seaweeds like sargassum, although it can also be made from other brown seaweeds, also known as kelp, found in North and South America, Australia and South Africa.
Sargassum as a Sea Vegetable
Sargassum can be eaten in a stir-fry as a vegetable. It is rich in minerals such as iodine which helps promote healthy thyroid function. Kelp is low in calories -- a 1-oz. serving has only 12 calories, and is fat- and sugar-free.
Sargassum as a Diuretic in TCM
Sargassum can help reduce the amount of water in the body, reducing adema, or swelling, by increasing the production of urine, notes the website Healthline. Sargassum seaweed is a common component of Tradition Chinese Medicine, and is used to treat a range of issues from thyroid problems to silicosis.
Sodim Alginate Uses
Sodium alginate is used in the food industry as an additive to give foods a creamy consistency, as a stabilizer and as a thickener. It is most often used in ice cream to impart a creamy texture and stop ice crystals from forming.
Healthy Sodium Sources
Your body requires some sodium to maintain the correct fluid balance, control the relaxation and contraction of muscles, and transmit nerve impulses. Consumed in moderation, sodium alginate and its source, sargassum, can both be part of a healthy diet.
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