Seaweed Benefits; Why It’s Amazing For Whole Body Health
Table of Contents
- Seaweed For Thyroid Health
- Seaweed; An Age-Old Herbal Medicine
- Seaweed Is Full Of Vitamins and Minerals
- Seaweed Is Linked To Lower Cancer Rates
- Lower Blood Sugar and Prevent Diabetes
- Seaweed For Brain Health
- Seaweed To Support Heart Health
- Seaweed Skin Benefits
- Seaweed for Gut Health
- Seaweed And The Planet
- The Summary; Seaweed is a Powerhouse Ingredient!
Whether it’s fresh seaweed or dried, seaweed has been used for thousands of years as a health food and herbal medicine. The whole-body benefits of seaweed are countless! In this blog, we will share why seaweed is our favorite ingredient to use in skincare, cooking, and more!
Seaweed For Thyroid Health
Seaweed is known for it’s iodine content, which is essential for healthy thyroid function. The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce hormones that regulate metabolism and affect brain development in children. Deficiencies in Iodine can lead to hypothyroidism, which can cause depression and schizophrenia.
Iodine deficiency has also been linked to many other health problems like infertility (in both men and women), weight loss or gain, hair loss, and more.
Seaweed; An Age-Old Herbal Medicine
Seaweed has been used for thousands of years in Asia, where it is commonly eaten as a food and herbal medicine. Seaweed is plentiful and can be found on the coasts of every continent except Antarctica.
It’s rich in vitamins and minerals, including high levels of potassium, iodine, magnesium, Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA), and iron. Some seaweed even contains carotenoids like lutein which may help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the primary cause of blindness among older adults in North America today.*
Seaweed Is Full Of Vitamins and Minerals
The nutritional value of seaweed is difficult to deny. It’s a great source of these essential nutrients and more:
- Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to fight off free radicals.
- Iodine is important for thyroid function and the production of T4 and T3 hormones. It also plays a role in metabolism, weight control, mood stability, brain development, and nerve function.
- Calcium is essential for bone health and muscle contraction, including your heartbeat! It’s also needed to maintain normal blood pressure levels as well as healthy teeth & gums.
- Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen through our bodies so they can do their job!
Seaweed Is Linked To Lower Cancer Rates
Seaweed consumption has been linked to a lower risk of breast cancer in Japanese women. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that women who consumed seaweed at least twice a week had the lowest risk of breast cancer compared to those who did not consume any. The study was conducted over an 8-year period and included more than 30,000 Japanese women between 40-69 years old.
Lower Blood Sugar and Prevent Diabetes
Since seaweed is an excellent source of iodine, it helps the body make the thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism, promoting healthy body weight. Seaweed also contains many different types of fiber, including soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fibers help lower blood sugar levels by slowing down digestion, whereas insoluble fibers help you feel full faster.
Both types of fiber can help improve insulin sensitivity by slowing down absorption from your gut into your bloodstream–meaning less sugar entering into circulation at once!
Seaweed For Brain Health
Amazingly, seaweed is beneficial for treating Alzheimer’s disease by increasing acetylcholine production in the brain, which improves memory function.
Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in learning and memory. This chemical is released when you pay attention to something and helps you remember what you’ve learned.
Alzheimer’s disease causes problems with thinking skills as well as memory loss or confusion. The exact cause isn’t known, but one theory says that proteins called beta-amyloid plaques build up on nerve cells, causing them to die off.
Seaweed To Support Heart Health
Scientists believe that seaweed may be effective at preventing heart disease by reducing cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is produced by the liver and circulates in your bloodstream. It’s essential for healthy cell function, but too much of it can lead to heart attacks or strokes if left untreated.
Seaweed has been shown to lower blood pressure, which can help prevent strokes and reduce risk of diabetes mellitus type 2 (diabetes).
Seaweed Skin Benefits
Aside from the miso soup and those yummy edible seaweed snacks, seaweed is also exceptional as a skin care ingredient and keeps you looking younger for longer.
Seaweed has become increasingly popular in skincare due to its numerous benefits for the skin. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, seaweed helps to nourish and protect the skin from environmental stressors. It is also a natural source of collagen, which helps to improve skin elasticity and firmness.
Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of seaweed can help to reduce redness and irritation, making it an excellent ingredient for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Seaweed can also help to hydrate and moisturize the skin, leaving it looking and feeling smoother and more radiant.
If you’re looking to keep your skin looking younger for longer, then this is one ingredient that should be on your shopping list! We use organic seaweed grown wild on the West Coast of Canada and lovingly hand-harvested to ensure the best product every time.
Seaweed for Gut Health
In recent years, research has increasingly focused on the potential benefits of seaweed for gut health (which also has a big impact on skin health!). Seaweed contains a variety of bioactive compounds, such as fiber, polysaccharides, and polyphenols, that can help promote the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria.
These compounds can also help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the gut, which can contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Additionally, the high fiber content in seaweed can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. Overall, incorporating seaweed into other vegetables in your diet may be a simple and effective way to support overall well-being.
Seaweed And The Planet
Seaweed is a highly sustainable harvest option that has gained popularity in recent years in a ton of different industries. Unlike traditional agriculture, seaweed requires no fresh water (which has become scarce in many regions), fertilizer, or arable land, making it an ideal crop for coastal communities.
In addition, seaweed farming has the potential to sequester carbon dioxide and reduce ocean acidification, making it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change. Seaweed is also highly versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes, including food, cosmetics, plastic alternatives, and even biofuel.
With its numerous benefits and low environmental impact, seaweed is quickly becoming a go-to crop for those seeking sustainable and eco-friendly options.
The Summary; Seaweed is a Powerhouse Ingredient!
Seaweed is a great food to eat and it has many health benefits, but is beneficial in many capacities other than food as well. It is also easy to incorporate sea vegetables into your diet since it can be eaten raw or cooked, so there are no excuses. Even if you think it sounds a little funky, don’t avoid seaweed. Give it a chance and sea the results for yourself!
