5 Benefits of Seaweed for Health

As one of the types of algae plants that live in the sea, seaweed is a food source for other marine creatures. Besides being delicious, seaweed turns out to save various health benefits.

Having a varied appearance from green, red, brown or black, seaweed can be found in various parts of the world.

Some countries that most often serve seaweed as a daily menu are Japan, Korea and China. Because it is easy to obtain, seaweed is often used as a staple for various types of food, such as sushi, soups, salads, and so on.

Benefits of seaweed

If consumed within the recommended limits, seaweed benefits the body. The following are among them:

1. Supports the function of the thyroid gland

The thyroid gland produces hormones that help control growth, energy production, reproduction, and the process of repairing damaged cells in the body. Some types of seaweed, such as nori, wakame and kelp have high iodine content as one of the minerals needed by the thyroid gland to produce these hormones.

In addition, seaweed also contains amino acid tyrosine, which is also needed for the thyroid gland to carry out its functions.

2. Good sources of vitamins and minerals

Each type of seaweed contains different vitamins and minerals. Adding a little seaweed in the daily diet not only adds flavor and texture to your food, but also a good way to increase your intake of vitamins and minerals.

Seaweed contains vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as folic acid, zinc, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. In addition, seaweed can also be a good source of omega-3 fats and vitamin B12. Proteins contained in several types of seaweed, such as spirulina and chorella, also contain all the essential amino acids needed by the body.

3. Contains various antioxidants

Antioxidants can help reduce the reactivity of free radicals, which are unstable substances found in the body. Excessive free radical production is the cause of certain types of diseases.

With the consumption of seaweed, the possibility of cell damage is lower. Certain components contained in seaweed such as flavonoids and carotenoids, are known to protect body cells from free radical damage.

4. Good source of fiber and polysaccharides

Seaweed has a high amount of fiber, which is known to support gastrointestinal health. In addition, polysaccharides in seaweed also help increase the growth of good bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract.

5. Helps reduce cholesterol levels

One study conducted for 8 weeks in experimental animals showed that consumption of seaweed can reduce total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol, and triglycerides in a significant proportion. However, further research is needed to confirm the results of the study.

Seaweed is one type of food that is often consumed in several Asian countries. You can get various positive effects on health when you consume seaweed regularly. However, the consumption of seaweed also does not need to be excessive and should be combined with other healthy food sources to get optimal benefits.