Seaweed
benefits and side effects are important to
understand more since despite the high nutrient contents provided by the sea
vegetable, you still need to limit the consumption. Seaweed comes in different
types mostly green, brown, and red algae. They are low in calories but high in
nutrition make it a good recommendation for weight loss diet. Seaweed used as
food source especially for Asian people such as Japanese, Chinese, Korean,
Indonesian, and many more. They can be eaten as simple snacks (dried seaweed
like nori) or make into sushi roll or onigiri.
The seaweed
benefits and side effects you should know
What are the benefits of seaweed? Seaweeds
in any forms and types contain high nutrient of minerals and vitamins. It can
help to support body functions, boost both metabolism and immune system, and
prevent dangerous diseases risk. However, seaweed also can give bad side effect
for the body when excess consumed. Here are the top
seaweed benefits and side effects of eating seaweed which you need to
know.
The seaweed benefits
1.
Aids digestion: Seaweed is high
in fiber contain and thus it support healthy digestion. It can slow down the
digestion process so make us feeling full a bit longer. The reason alone makes
many people eat seaweed for weight loss diet.
2.
Helps to burn fats: Some
studies mentioned that eating seaweed can help to burn fats in the body around
ten percents thanks to its fucoxanthin content provided by the seaweed. Seaweed
can increase body metabolism which in the end act to burn more calories.
3.
Enhance immune system: Eat
seaweed can boost your immune system because first, seaweed promotes production
of white blood cells which have important role to fight against infections and
bacterial. And not to mention, some studies also mentioned that seaweed
contents can help to fight cancer.
4.
Antioxidants: Seaweed is the
source of antioxidant and as part of healthy diet, seaweed can be eaten to help
fight against not only chronic diseases, but also oxidative stress.
5.
DHA and EPA
We all know that fish
contains high omega 3 fatty acids, but apparently seaweed does! Unlike plants
in the land, seaweed provides preformed omega 3 with DHA and EPA. And this is
why seaweed oils and supplements can be reliable form of omega 3 source for
strict vegetarians. Both DHA and EPA is good for brain function as well as
other body systems.
6.
Iron for energy: Every day we
need energy so we can do our activities and that energy comes in iron. Iron
nourishes circulatory system and it is also important food to blood cells. Low
iron in the blood can lead to anemia risk. Iron is good for pregnant ladies as
well since they are more likely to suffer from iron deficiency than other women
in normal condition.
Despite those seaweed benefits that you can
experience, but the seaweed still have numerous side effects when eaten without
any limitation. Here are the bad side effects of eating too much seaweed.
The seaweed side effect
1.
The high sodium: Pay attention
to some of seaweed brands because they can contain high amount of sodium. Too
much sodium can increase the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure and
this is why you should check the label when purchase seaweed products. It is
better to eat plain seaweed.
2.
The heavy metals: There is some
risk of heavy metals contamination because if the seaweed farmed or grow in
waters with high level of heavy metals, then they can absorb these metals. So,
eating too much seaweed can be dangerous and deadly.
3.
The Gastrointestinal issues: There
are some people who experienced moderate to mild effects when eat seaweed
supplements. Some studies even reported that their subjects experienced
abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea.
4.
Too much iodine: It is true
that seaweed is among the highest source of iodine intake, but too much iodine
can lead to thyroid issues. Iodine is very important mineral for thyroid
functions but you still need to limit them.
With all those seaweed benefits and side effects mentioned above, people can enjoy
eating seaweed as condiment few times per week with moderate amount. In
general, seaweed is good choice for diet and general food source, but you
always need to limit what you eat and no exception with the seaweed.
https://behealthy.today/seaweed-facts-figures/
https://behealthy.today/seaweed-facts-figures/