VERY INTERESTING: SEAWEED

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Seaweed

Seaweed or sea vegetables are forms of algae that grow in the sea. They’re a food source for ocean life and range in colour from red to green to brown to black.

Seaweed grows along rocky shorelines around the world, but it’s most commonly eaten in Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and China. It’s extremely versatile and can be used in many dishes, including sushi rolls, soups and stews, salads, supplements and smoothies.

What’s more, seaweed is highly nutritious, so a little goes a long way.

1. Contains Iodine and Tyrosine, Which Support Thyroid Function

Your thyroid gland releases hormones to help control growth, energy production, reproduction and the repair of damaged cells in your body.

Your thyroid relies on iodine to make hormones. Without enough iodine, you may start to experience symptoms like weight changes, fatigue or swelling of the neck over time. The recommended dietary intake (RDI) for iodine is 150 mcg per day.Seaweed has the unique ability to absorb concentrated amounts of iodine from the ocean.

Its iodine content varies greatly depending on the type, where it was grown and how it was processed. In fact, one dried sheet of seaweed can contain 11–1,989% of the RDI.

Below is the average iodine content of three different dried seaweeds:

• Nori: 37 mcg per gram (25% of the RDI)
• Wakame: 139 mcg per gram (93% of the RDI)
• Kombu: 2523 mcg per gram (1,682% of the RDI)

Kelp is one of the best sources of iodine. Just half a teaspoon (3.5 grams) of dried kelp could contain 59 times the RDI.

Seaweed also contains an amino acid called tyrosine, which is used alongside iodine to make two key hormones that help the thyroid gland do its job properly.

Seaweed contains a concentrated source of iodine and an amino acid called tyrosine. Your thyroid gland requires both to function properly.

2. Good Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Each type of seaweed has a unique set of nutrients. Sprinkling some dried seaweed on your food not only adds taste, texture and flavour to your meal, but it’s an easy way to boost your intake of vitamins and minerals.

Generally, 1 tablespoon (7 grams) of dried spirulina can provide:

• Calories: 20
• Carbs: 1.7 grams
• Protein: 4 grams
• Fat: 0.5 gram
• Fiber: 0.3 grams
• Riboflavin: 15% of the RDI
• Thiamin: 11% of the RDI
• Iron: 11% of the RDI
• Manganese: 7% of the RDI
• Copper: 21% of the RDI

Seaweed also contains small amounts of vitamins A, C, E and K, along with folate, zinc, sodium, calcium and magnesium.

While it may only contribute to a small percentage of some of the RDIs above, using it as a seasoning once or twice per week can be an easy way to add more nutrients to your diet.

The protein present in some seaweeds, such as spirulina and chlorella, contain all of the essential amino acids. This means seaweed can help ensure you get the full range of amino acids (10,11, 12).

Seaweed can also be a good source of omega-3 fats and vitamin B12. In fact, it appears that dried green and purple seaweed contain substantial amounts of vitamin B12. One study found 2.4 mcg or 100% of the RDI of vitamin B12 in only 4 grams of nori seaweed.

That said, there is an ongoing debate about whether your body can absorb and use the vitamin B12 from seaweed. Seaweed contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including iodine, iron, and calcium. Some types can even contain high amounts of vitamin B12. Moreover, it’s a good source of omega-3 fats.

3. Contains a Variety of Protective Antioxidants

Antioxidants can make unstable substances in your body called free radicals less reactive. This makes them less likely to damage your cells. Furthermore, excess free radical production is considered to be an underlying cause of several diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

In addition to containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, seaweed boasts a wide variety of beneficial plant compounds, including flavonoids and carotenoids. These have been shown to protect your body’s cells from free radical damage.

A lot of research has focused on one particular carotenoid called fucoxanthin.It’s the main carotenoid found in brown algae, such as wakame, and it has 13.5 times the antioxidant capacity as vitamin E.

Fucoxanthin has been shown to protect cell membranes better than vitamin A. While the body does not always absorb fucoxanthin well, absorption may be improved by consuming it along with fat.

Nevertheless, seaweed contains a wide variety of plant compounds that work together to have strong antioxidant effects. Seaweed contains a wide range of antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, carotenoids and flavonoids. These antioxidants protect your body from cell damage.

4. Provides Fiber and Polysaccharides That Can Support Your Gut Health

Gut bacteria play an enormous role in your health. It’s estimated that you have more bacteria cells in your body than human cells. An imbalance in these “good” and “bad” gut bacteria can lead to sickness and disease

Seaweed is an excellent source of fiber, which is known to promote gut health. It can make up about 25–75% of seaweed’s dry weight. This is higher than the fiber content of most fruits and vegetables. Fiber can resist digestion and be used as a food source for bacteria in your large intestine instead.

Additionally, particular sugars found in seaweed called sulfated polysaccharides have been shown to increase the growth of “good” gut bacteria. These polysaccharides can also increase the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which provide support and nourishment to the cells lining your gut 

Seaweed contains fiber and sugars, both of which can be used as food sources for the bacteria in your gut. This fiber can also increase the growth of “good” bacteria and nourish your gut.

5. May Help You Lose Weight by Delaying Hunger and Reducing Weight

Seaweed contains a lot of fiber, which does not contain any calories.

The fiber in seaweed may slow stomach emptying, too. This helps you feel fuller for longer and can delay hunger pangs. Seaweed is also considered to have anti-obesity effects. In particular, several animal studies suggest that a substance in seaweed called fucoxanthin may help reduce body fat 

One animal study found that rats who consumed fucoxanthin lost weight, whereas rats who consumed the control diet did not. The results showed that fucoxanthin increased the expression of a protein that metabolizes fat in rats 

Other animal studies found similar results. For example, fucoxanthin has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels in rats, further aiding weight loss. Although the results in animal studies appear very promising, it’s important that human studies are conducted to verify these findings.

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking