The Countless Benefits of Sea Vegetables and Why You Need to Add Them to Your Diet

Seaweed has been making waves in the world of nutrition, and why not? It is said to be one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Seaweed generally grows in or near salty waters. There are various types of seaweed you can find. All of the different types of seaweed contain nutritious minerals that are bio-available and hence easy for the body to break down.

Adding seaweed to the diet goes a long way in keeping your thyroid gland working in optimum condition. Improving your digestive health and help in weight loss. There are several types of seaweed you should know about, namely, nori. kelp, wakame, kombu, dulse and algzaew such as spirulina and chlorella. There are different ways you can include these varieties of seaweed in your diet.

It Enhances the Thyroid Function

The thyroid gland is one of the most important glands in the body. It releases hormones, thus improving metabolism, creating energy production, ensuring growth, and accelerating cellular repair. People often suffer from thyroid disorders because of iodine deficiency. Yes, you need iodine, but how much do you need depends a lot on your thyroid health. Iodine deficiency is one of the chief causes of underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.

It may result in a visible enlargement of the thyroid gland. Individuals may be able to improve the health of their thyroid by including a sufficient amount of iodine. However, if you suffer from hyperthyroid, you may have to be extra careful about the amount of iodine you add to your diet as it may aggravate the condition. You can include seaweed in your diet as it is rich in iodine. As per the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, kombu happens to be the richest source of iodine, followed by wakame, nori, and kelp powder. The type of seaweed you procure determines its iodine content.

Its Nutritious Content is High!

Seaweed contains high levels of iron and iodine. Each type of seaweed contains varying amounts of nutrients and minerals. Instead of eating scores of supplements, you can eat kelp. or wakame to get your daily dose of nutrients.

Also, these foods contain very few calories. Seaweed is a potent source of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It contains several healthful vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and iodine. Seaweed is a rich source of antioxidants that reduces oxidative stress and reduce inflammation at the cellular level.

It Controls The Sugar Levels

Seaweed is great for managing and treating diabetes. Fiber-rich foods are one of the best options for treating diabetes. A rich amount of fiber help can balance blood glucose levels and insulin levels.

Adding seaweed to the diet can significantly improve a person’s fiber intake without increasing the calories.

Research conducted on rats went onto show encouraging results of the impact of seaweed on high blood sugars. Also, specific compounds in seaweed reduce diabetes risk, reduce inflammation, reduce fat and improve insulin sensitivity. However, there is a need for further research to substantiate the findings.

It May Help Lose The Extra Pounds

The fiber in seaweed is not only great for managing sugar levels but is also great for people suffering from metabolic issues. Eating more fiber may make a person feel fuller and stop him/her from binging on unhealthy foods. It is satiating yet also contains very few calories.

A high amount of dietary fiber delays the stomach emptying process. As a result, the stomach may stop sending hunger signals to the brain, thus stopping people from overeating.

It Has Heart Protective Properties

High-fiber foods are great for your heart as it reduces levels of bad cholesterol in the blood and improves good cholesterol levels in the body. These soluble fibers help bind bile acids or salts in the body. The body in such a case uses cholesterol to replace these elements, which may help reduce the total cholesterol levels by almost 18%. Look for different types of algae, which are antioxidant-rich and may help improve your heart health over time.

Well, even if seaweed is great for your health, consume them in moderation. You can try varied types of seaweed twice or thrice a week. However, you can consume spirulina every day. Most of the seaweed offers a distinctive flavor to your food, and they are great for your health, too, and that is the perfect reason to add them to your diet.