Seaweed grows in or close to salty waters, they thrive better in this condition. There are different types of seaweed and they have many important minerals that the body can break down. Adding seaweed to diets help to enhance thyroid functions, weight loss and digestive health.
Types of sea weed include nori, kombu, dulse, blue-green algae such as chlorella and spirulina and kelp. This variety makes it easy to fix seaweed into several recipes. It is important to know that consumption of excess seaweed can be harmful to certain people. Benefits of seaweed include:
It Is Very Nutritious
All types of seaweed contain different minerals and nutrients. Ingesting this marine alga is an easy way of enhancing the presence of vitamins and minerals without adding plenty calories. A study done in marine drugs showed that seaweed is a good supply of protein, fiber, minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids [1] and carbohydrates. Seaweed also contains different important nutrients such as iodine, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, folate, calcium, [2] magnesium, omega-3-fats and vitamin A. 2.4 mcg or 100% of the RDI of vitamin B12 is found in just 4 grams of nori seaweed. Seaweed also possess antioxiadants which help to protect the body against oxidative stress and decrease inflammation at the cellular level. Just one tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina can offer;
- calories (20 percent of the RDI)
- protein (4 grams)
- fat (0.5 grams)
- carbs (1.7 grams)
- riboflavin (15 percent of the RDI)
- iron (11 percent of the RDI)
- copper (21 percent of the RDI)
- manganese (7 percent of the RDI)
- thiamine (11 percent of RDI) [3]
- fiber (0.3 grams).