Al Amn Magazine # 160

FEBRUARY 2023 34 GREEN APPLE S healthline.com eaweed is a common ingredient in some Asian cuisine and is used as a snack, meal ingredient, and dietary supplement. And for good reason. Eating seaweed is a super-healthy and nutritious way to add extra vitamins and minerals to your diet. Eating it regularly may even boost your health and help protect you from certain diseases. What is seaweed? “Seaweed” is a general term used to describe many different species of algae and marine plants. It can grow in a variety of waters, including seas, lakes, and rivers. Algae from the sea is generally edible, whereas freshwater varieties tend to be toxic. Edible seaweed is classified by color. The most commonly eaten types are red, green, blue-green, and brown. It can also range in size dramatically. Phytoplankton can be microscopic, whereas kelp can grow extremely tall in length, rooted in the ocean floor. Seaweed plays a vital role in marine life and is the primary source of food for a variety of creatures in the ocean. It has also been an integral part of human diets for thousands of years and is especially popular in Chinese and Japanese cuisines. Benefits Seaweed offers many benefits, whether you eat it as a food or take it as a dietary supplement. Seaweed is rich in various minerals and trace elements. In fact, it often contains higher levels of these nutrients than most other foods. For this reason, many consider seaweed to be “the vegetables of the sea.” Seaweed’s nutrient content can vary based on where it was grown. As a result, different types will contain different amounts of nutrients. Seaweed also contains smaller amounts of several other nutrients. Iodine content can vary significantly between types, but one serving of seaweed can easily contain a day’s worth of iodine or more. Some claim that seaweed is a great plant source of vitamin B12, a vitamin naturally found in meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy. However, there’s still debate on whether the form of vitamin B12 found in algae is active in humans Finally, seaweed is a rich source of antioxidants. It also contains a good amount of sulfated polysaccharides (sPS), which are beneficial plant compounds thought to contribute to seaweed’s health benefits. Thyroid function Your thyroid plays several important roles in the body, including in the regulation of your metabolism. It requires a good intake of iodine to function properly. Luckily, iodine is readily available in most varieties of seaweed. Other sources of iodine include seafood, dairy products, and iodized salt Failure to get enough iodine from your diet can lead to hypothyroidism, when your thyroid is underactive. This can create symptoms such as low energy, dry skin, tingling in the hands and feet, forgetfulness, depression, and even weight gain The recommended daily intake of iodine for adults is 150 mcg per day. Most people can meet this requirement by eating several servings of seaweed per week. That said, certain varieties — such as kelp, kombu, and dulse — tend to contain very high amounts of iodine and should not be eaten frequently or in high amounts Others, such as spirulina, contain very little, so don’t rely on them as your only source of iodine. Heart health Seaweed contains certain beneficial nutrients that may help keep your heart healthy. For starters, it’s a good source of soluble fiber and contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, both of which could be Addvitamins toyourdiet Seaweedanutritious foodsupplement