We know that seaweed is not only for sushi any longer. In the actual fact, the kelp, which is a form of seaweed, has now made its own way into the kitchens of those people who are conscious about their health. If you don’t know, kelp is actually referred to as a superfood due to its huge variety of essential nutrients. Though its popularity in the western world is a recent occurrence, as more people find out the many health benefits of kelp, it is now becoming a part of a healthy, well-balanced diet for a huge number of Americans too.
Mind you, kelp is effective in losing weight, supporting the thyroid health, proven to help in reducing the risk of various types of cancer, and even keep the bones stronger. Get to know more about the kelp in this article. Read on!
Kelp: What is this?
You may have seen this particular marine plant at the sea already. Actually, the kelp is a kind of large brown seaweed, which grows in the shallow nutrient-dense saltwater, near the coastal fronts all over the world. Furthermore, it differs considerably in flavor, color, and nutrient value from the kind that you may have seen in the sushi rolls.
Moreover, kelp also produces a particular compound, known as the sodium alginate. This, in particular, is valuable as a thickener in various foods that we, people eat. This includes salad dressing and ice cream. Nevertheless, you can eat the natural kelp in various forms, including:
- Powder form
- Cooked form
- Raw form
- Supplement form
Furthermore, kelp is an underwater plant, which grows in shallow ocean waters. It belongs to the family of seaweed. Dissimilar to the plants, kelp doesn’t really have roots to absorb nutrients. That’s why, this certain edible seaweed actually absorbs the nutrients straight from the ocean water. Additionally, it is rich in essential vitamins and minerals, which provides various important health benefits.
From what we’ve said above, it is referred to as a superfood, and is valuable as a supplement to the animal’s diet, especially in achieving the optimal health.
Kelp: Nutritional Value
Kelp is a large seaweed, which grows in the shallow, underwater forests. It is frequently surrounded by a lot of marine and plant life. Moreover, it is estimated to have been present in this world about 5 million to 23 million years ago. For the kelp to grow, it needs nutrient-dense water at about 43-57 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most of the varieties of kelp, the body is made of flat, leaf-like structure, also known as blades. The blades actually come out of the long stem structures or stripes. Lastly, the holdfast of it serves as its root that anchors into the ocean floor.
The country of China is actually the largest producer of kelp. It is now rapidly becoming a very popular nutritional food. This actually makes sense to you once you get to know about the nutritional profile of the seaweed.
In just one serving of the raw kelp, it already contains:
| Principle | Amount | %Daily Value |
| Calories | 12 | – |
| Carbohydrates | 2.7 grams | – |
| Protein | 0.5 grams | – |
| Fat | 0.2 grams | – |
| Fiber | 0.4 grams | – |
| Vitamin K | 18.5 micrograms | 23% |
| Folate | 50.4 micrograms | 13% |
| Magnesium | 33.9 milligrams | 8% |
| Calcium | 47 milligrams | 5% |
| Iron | 0.8 milligrams | 4% |
| Manganese | 0.1 milligrams | 3% |
Health Benefits of Kelp
Here are some of the most interesting health benefits of kelp:
- Helps in preventing bone loss. If you are at risk of osteoporosis, kelp may help! Actually, this seaweed is rich in vitamin K, which is essential in creating denser bones that do not easily accede to arthritis, as well as in osteoporosis.
- Acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. Various types of kelp have the capacity to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which is beneficial in reducing the overall inflammation in the body. This, in turn, may help in reducing the possibility of illnesses.
- Helps in slowing the growth of various types of cancer. A lot of the essential nutrients in the kelp function together in order to give the best protection against cancer. Furthermore, the presence of fucoxanthin in it is also effective in treating various types of prostate cancer. This is one of the best health benefits of kelp.
- Helps in treating various blood-related conditions. The fucoidan in various types of kelp is essential for the health. In fact, fucoidan has the capacity to prevent blood clots, which may lead to dangerous health conditions, including heart attack and stroke.
- May help in preventing or treating diabetes. A Korean study states that the consumption of kelp may help in improving the blood glucose levels, positively influence the glycemic control and increase the antioxidant enzyme activities, especially to those who have type 2 diabetes.
- Helps in losing weight. Not just this seaweed is essential in giving you a boost in the health; it also has some certain fat-fighting properties. The fucoxanthin in kelp is essential in significantly reducing the fat tissues in the body. This is the reason why many recommend it as a healthy supplement for weight loss.
The next time you want to give a boost to your health, try kelp!
