There are hundreds of varieties of seaweed, many of which are edible, including kelp, kombu, dulse and wakame. Not only can seaweed be a very nutritious addition to your diet, but it also can benefit your body's systems and help fight off some diseases and health problems.
Nutrition
"Pound for pound, seaweed contains more iron than sirloin steak, more calcium than cheese, and more fiber than prunes," according to a 2010 article in the "London Telegraph." Seaweed is one of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet, with some varieties extremely high in protein. Seaweed also contains very high levels of multiple important vitamins and minerals; for example, it is the only plant that contains vitamin B12, which your body uses for energy, red blood cell production and DNA production.
Thyroid
The thyroid is an endocrine gland that your body uses for functions such as maintaining energy levels and body temperature and regulating the use of proteins. Iodine is one of the substances that your body uses to do its job. Many modern foods are low in iodine levels, except for most table salt; however, consuming excessive amounts of salt can contribute to health conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. Many types of seaweed are high in iodine, without the high sodium content in salt.
Cancer
According to the "Telegraph," Japanese citizens eat more than 4 kg of seaweed per person per year, which might be a contributing factor to a lower level of cancer. The article says that the American Association for Cancer Research found that extracts produced from seaweed were able to fight the development of lymphoma cancer cells.
Weight Loss
Seaweed can be a particularly beneficial dietary addition for people trying to lose weight. This is because seaweed contains very high concentration of nutrients considering its caloric totals, which are generally quite low. For example, 20 g of kelp -- about one-quarter cup -- contains only about 10 calories
References
- "The Telegraph"; What's Green, Slimy and Good for You?; Jane Dunford; May 30, 2010
- Nutrient Facts: Kelp
- Institute for Traditional Medicine; The Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Seaweeds Used in Chinese Medicine; Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D.; December 2002
- Bastyr University; Seaweed a Versatile Addition to Any Diet; Genevieve Sherrow et al.; July 22, 2009
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Seaweeds Used as Human Food
- National Health Association; Seaweed and B12; December 2008
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