Seaweed 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.
Types of seaweed include:
1. nori
2. kelp
3. wakame
4. kombu
5. dulse
6. blue-green algae, such as spirulina and chlorella
This variety can make it easy to incorporate seaweed into different recipes. It is possible to eat too much seaweed, however, and some people should avoid it.
The benefits of seaweed
The following are the best health benefits of seaweed:
1. It is highly nutritious
Each type of seaweed may contain slightly different nutrients and minerals.
In general, however, eating this marine algae is a simple way to boost a person's intake of vitamins and minerals without adding many calories.
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.
