Sea vegetables, known as seaweed, are a diverse category of plants used in everything from skin cream to miso soup. Seaweed is found throughout the world’s oceans with some of the largest blooms stretching between continents.
The health benefits of seaweed are undeniable. Take advantage of these 6 surprising health benefits of seaweed.
1. Great Source of Iron
According to American Scientist, seaweed is a much better source of iron than eating spinach or eggs. Iron is important in the function of hemoglobin, a protein that helps oxygen move from your lungs throughout the rest of your body.
If you’re suffering from chronic fatigue, it could be due to low iron levels in your blood. The exhaustion can lead to things like brain fog slowing down your ability to make decisions.
2. Supports Gut Health
Seaweed, or marine macroalgae, is a great source of fiber than can contribute to gut health. Fiber is important in the gut because it helps the body absorb nutrients from food during digestion.
Good digestion can help you avoid depression, Crohn’s Disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The amount of fiber in seaweed varies by species.
3. Suppresses Hunger
The fiber in seaweed has been known to slow the emptying of your stomach while you eat. This means you end up feeling full longer after eating.
This important for anyone trying to reduce portion sizes while losing weight. The saltiness of the flavor also makes foods like salad more satisfying in flavor, reducing the need for fatty ingredients.
4. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Another top benefit of seaweed is that it reduces the risk of heart disease in some people. By protecting the balance in your gut, the seaweed helps your body prevent high cholesterol.
High cholesterol left unchecked causes buildup in the blood vessels that’s harder to reverse over time. High fiber foods like seaweed have also been known to lower blood pressure and inflammation.
5. Great Source of Iodine
Iodine is necessary for the body to make thyroid hormones. During pregnancy, iodine aids in brain and bone development.
Most people get enough iodine by eating iodized salt, but seaweed provides a healthier alternative. Different types of seaweed offer more iodine than others. Konbu is a type of seaweed with up to 1,000 times more iodine than varieties like Dulse and Nori.
6. Replaces Salt
Norwegian Dulse is commonly used in recipes for its salty flavor. It is available in flake form to add to foods instead of salt.
Because seaweed is rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, it’s a healthier option than using salt on food even though it contains sodium.
The Unmistakable Health Benefits of Seaweed
Like most foods, there is no cure-all option for everyone. The health benefits of seaweed are limited to people with normal thyroid function, as too much iodine has been known to cause problems in hyperthyroidism. Still, there are a variety of perks that can help most people improve their overall health with ease.
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