Seaweed has been hailed as one of the world’s best superfoods. It gets big ticks for its bountiful health benefits, nutritional value and ease of eating. That being said, some say seaweed has side effects. Here we look at whether seaweed is healthy and how to eat it.
Seaweed the Supergreen
What is it that gives seaweed its superfood tag? As a member of the edible algae family, it offers an abundance of minerals and vitamins including calcium, iron, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folate.
Whether you have it wrapped around sushi, in soup or straight from the packet, seaweed is the superhero of supergreens.
Iodine in Seaweed
Perhaps the biggest benefit to eating seaweed is its high iodine content. Iodine is essential to maintaining your thyroid health, to regular hormones. Iodine deficiency can manifest itself in headaches, disease, difficulty shifting kilos and many other thyroid issues.
Just one gram of seaweed has up to 50 times the recommended daily intake of iodine. So it’s worth having a crunch every now and then.
Seaweed for Hormone Health
Seaweed has also been found to regular two hormones – estrogen and estradiol. By keeping these levels steady, PMS is regulated, fertility boosted and the risk of breast cancer is reportedly reduced. Interestingly in Japan, where seaweed is a staple, breast cancer rates are relatively low compared to other countries.
Better Digestion with Seaweed
A recent University of Newcastle upon Tyne study found that seaweed strengthens gut mucus, which guards the gut wall. This reduces the rate of digestion, so you stay full for longer and enjoy a slow release of energy.
Seaweed for All-round Wellbeing
In some island nations, consuming seaweed drinks is common practice, to keep illness at bay. Studies have found it’s also beneficial for the heart, has detoxing properties and is extremely high in antioxidants to avoid inflammation.
So it’s fair to say seaweed is healthy. Just be mindful of having too much, since research shows overconsumption of iodine can be problematic. And always check the source of your seaweed – whether you buy fresh or supplements, as contamination can be an issue.
