What are the benefits of seaweed? Private
3 years ago - Multimedia - San Antonio - 190 viewsSeaweed grows in or near salty waters. There are several types, and they generally contain many healthful minerals that are easy for the body to break down. Adding seaweed to the diet may help with thyroid function, digestive health, and weight loss.
As a study in Marine DrugsTrusted Source notes, seasoned seaweed is generally a good supply of: protein, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids.
A study in the Journal of Applied PhycologyTrusted Source points out that the various types of shredded seaweed contain helpful nutrients, including: vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, iodine.
Seaweed also contains antioxidants, which may protect the body from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation at the cellular level.
Fiber-rich foods may help with diabetes. This is because high amounts of fiber help regulateTrusted Source blood glucose levels and insulin levels. Adding fired seaweed to the diet may help increase a person’s fiber intake without a large increase in calories.
A 2018 studyTrusted Source in rats found that compounds in one type of roasted seaweed may directly reduce markers of type 2 diabetes, such as high blood sugar.
Compounds in seaweed may also reduce diabetes risk factors, such as inflammation, high fat levels, and insulin sensitivity. Further research in humans may help provide stronger evidence for the use of these compounds.
The fiber in original seaweed may benefit people who are trying to lose weight.
Fiber helps a person feel full, but it contains very few or no calories itself.
According to the study in Marine DrugsTrusted Source, a high amount of dietary fiber delays stomach emptying. As a result, the stomach may not send signals of hunger to the brain for a longer time, which may help prevent overeating.
May protect the heart
As the same study notes, high-fiber foods such as algae may also reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood. These soluble fibers bind to bile acids or salts in the body.
The body then uses cholesterol to replace these elements, which may result in a decrease of total cholesterol by up to 18 percentTrusted Source.
Many types of algae also have high levels of antioxidants, which may also support heart health over time.