Seaweed Health Benefits for Human Body
By Yanti
Seaweed Health Benefits
Seaweeds are plants that live in sea water or brackish water derived from algae family. Algae plants are generally composed of green algae, red algae, and brown algae. And because there are a lot of seaweed health benefits to human needs either to be consumed or used as ingredients of medicines or other supplies, the seaweed has been cultivated in many countries and one of the largest producers of seaweed today is Indonesia.
To be able to grow well, then seaweed require light or sunlight is sufficient to cool temperatures, and sea water are not so heavy, and the place of attachment such as stone, sand, or other plants into the sea about 20 to 30 meters . And there is also seaweed that has been adapting and living in tidal rock pools, and in some coastal areas there is seaweed that can prolong life a few miles out to sea.
Seaweed Nutrition
Seaweed contains many good nutrients the human body, and is therefore not surprising that the seaweed heath benefits have been used for a wide range of human needs, and the content of the nutrients found in seaweed, among others, are as follows iodine, calcium, manganese, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, copper, iron, folic acid, protein, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and vitamin K.
Seaweed Health Benefits
Seaweed most widely used for making various kinds of food made from seaweed such as nori that is material to make sushi, soup, seaweed drinks, or making jelly, and in addition people also use seaweed consumed for a variety of other needs, including for improving health body of human being, and below are some seaweed health benefits for the human body.
- A high iodine content of seaweed is useful to prevent exposure to thyroid goiter and useful function properly
- Other Seaweed health benefit is for dressing wounds, materials for making molds of teeth, toothpaste, and as a culture media in microbiological research.
- For people who run diet programs, the seaweed is one of the foods that are good for the diet and reduce obesity because of the fiber contained in seaweed filling effect in the stomach and makes the body feel fuller.
- The content of vitamin C in seaweed as well as beneficial antioxidant that can fight free radicals in the body so the body’s defense is more resilient to attacks of various diseases. Antioxidant in the body is also beneficial for healing and skin rejuvenation. Vitamin A (beta carotene) and vitamin C is also beneficial for maintaining collagen.
- Chlorophyll content of seaweed is anti carcinogenic. Levels of selenium, zinc, and high fiber in seaweed can reduce estrogen. Allegedly estrogen levels are too high may encourage the onset of cancer, so regular consumption of seaweed can treat and minimize the risk of cancer.
- A high calcium content in seaweed is one of the seaweed health benefits to reduce osteoporosis disease,
- Based on the research of several scientists showed that the seaweed is the source of protein that has properties similar to the bioactive peptides is one of the substances or materials that are often present in dairy products. Bioactive peptide has a rich nutrient content and can prevent certain diseases. In addition, bioactive peptide useful for lowering blood pressure and has properties similar to ACE inhibitors. Protein content of seaweed is also useful to form new tissue in the skin which can prevent premature aging.
Although seaweed health benefits for humans, but if not careful, the seaweed can cause health problems for the human body, it is also due to the high pollution of the sea, the higher plants as well as seaweed which absorb metals or other harmful chemicals, so it will harm the body if consumed. Moreover, because seaweed contains iodine is high, then this may result in iodine toxicity if you consume seaweed in large quantities. Which has been rotting seaweed is also a potential source of hydrogen sulfide gas which is highly toxic and can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
To be able to consume quality seaweed, so you can get seaweed health benefits for your body, then make sure that you are using a seaweed that is not contaminated with chemicals in a way you buy seaweed from a trusted manufacturer of seaweed or already have a good brand or you buy seaweed organic for consumption.
