Sea vegetables, perhaps more commonly known as seaweed, have been eaten in China and Japan for centuries, but are relatively uncommon in the American diet. However, sea vegetables are an excellent source of nutrients: the seaweed nutrition facts show that, besides being one of those fruits and vegetables that we’re all supposed to eat more of, seaweed is rich in many vitamins and minerals as well as being a valuable source of protein and fiber.
In particular, seaweed or sea vegetables, whichever you prefer to call them, are rich in iodine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus; in fact, seaweed was once used to treat goiters, which are caused by a deficiency in the essential nutrient iodine. For vitamins, sea vegetables are particularly high in vitamins B12, C, and E. They also contain many unique compounds found only in sea vegetation such as fucoidan and lamarin), which many studies suggest, as well as being powerful antioxidants, support a strong immune system.
Sea vegg can be a source of many health benefits. They contain vitamins, minerals and other phtyochemicals. These phytochemicals can improve the health of hair and skin, reduce cholesterol levels and boost the immune system. Research also shows that the alginic acid contained in sea vegetables helps to eliminate heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, from the body.
In general, seaweed is considerably higher in protein than most vegetables, although it can vary by species. Generally, brown seaweeds are the lowest in protein, at between 5-15% of dry weight. Red and Green seaweeds average twice as much protein, at 10-30% of dry weight. Dulse, Nori, and other species of red seaweed are much higher in protein, with contents equal or greater than those found in soybeans.
If, however, you aren’t quite ready to sit down to a plate of nice, crunchy arame or wakame, you can get many of seaweed health benefits just like you may get many of your other vitamins and minerals: in capsules. Sea Vegg is a blend of twelve different sea vegetables and contains many of the seaweed nutrition benefits found in the raw plants.
Among the health benefits of seaweed that Sea Vegg can provide an alternative for are many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavenoids, and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Studies have also suggested that some contained compounds are antibiotic and antiviral. One antioxidant contained herein is algal polyphenols, possibly helpful in reducing cellular oxidation damage.
There are many ways to get seaweed today. It is usually available in speciality grocery stores, ethnic markets, and health food stores. When you buy it, it is usually in dried form, sold in packets and can be used to make homemade sushi or eaten for a snack. It can be soaked to make a salad or as an ingredient in soups. If you perfer to not eat seaweed, but still want the health benefits there is a pill called Sea Vegg that you can take on a daily basis.
- Martha Johnson