Whilst you may only think of seaweed as the stuff in the sea that gets caught on your feet when wading, this claim is being supported by investigations that reveal that seaweed, a variety of algae, contains more calcium than cheese, more fibre than in prunes and more iron than a steak – weight for weight!
Scientists have also recently concluded that seaweed offer perhaps the broadest range of minerals of any food found on earth, as they contain virtually all the nutrients found in the ocean and the very same minerals found in human blood.
Furthermore, seaweed is an excellent source of the B-vitamin folate, and magnesium, as well as a great supply of iron, iodine, calcium, phosphorous and the B-vitamins riboflavin and pantothenic acid. Seaweed also contains vitamins A, B1, C, E, and protein.
In addition, seaweed contains significant amounts of lignans, which are plant compounds with cancer-protective properties. The most recent studies on seaweed revealed that its bioactive substances aid in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, plus its ability to deal with free radicals that are the cause of cancer.
Seaweed to tackle the rise in obesity
Seaweed could hold the key to tackling obesity after it was found it reduces fat digestion by more than 75 per cent, new research has shown.
A team of scientists led by Dr Iain Brownlee and Prof Jeff Pearson have found that dietary fibre in one of the world’s largest commercially-used seaweed could reduce the amount of fat available for absorption by the body by around 75 per cent.
The Newcastle University team found that Alginate – a natural fibre found in sea kelp – stops the digestion of fat better than most anti-obesity treatments currently available over the counter.
“Obesity is an ever-growing problem and many people find it difficult to stick to diet and exercise plans in order to lose weight,” explains Dr Brownlee.
Alginates (fibres) have great potential for weight management – adding them to food also has the added advantage of boosting overall fibre content.
What is a dietary fibre?
Dietary fibre would be scientifically classified as a group of carbohydrates of plant origin that escape digestion by the human gut.
“Actually, there’s still quite a lot of confusion about fibre,” says Dr Brownlee. “I think most people would describe it as roughage – the bit of your food that keeps you regular and is vital for a healthy gut.”
“Both of these facts are true but the notion that all fibre is the same and that it simply goes through your system without having an effect is wrong.”
Fibre is made up of a wide range of different molecules called polysaccharides and although it is not digested by the human gut, it both directly and indirectly affects a number of bodily processes.
Dr Brownlee adds: “These initial findings suggest alginates could offer a very real solution in the battle against obesity.”
Click here for further information on that report.
Nutri-Health is delighted to be at the cutting edge of information as we proudly launch Nutri-Health’s Organic Irish Seaweed range of products: raw seaweed for culinary use; easy to take seaweed capsules; organic spa and beauty products.
All seaweeds in this range are harvested from the West coast of Ireland, and grown in an area free of pesticides and artificial chemicals. The capsules are free of contaminants, toxic metals and microbial pathogens, irradiation, GMOs, manufacturing incipients, wheat, dairy, gluten and other known allergens. The spa and beauty products contain essential oils, and are certified organic.
