Sea Vegg Brings You The Nutritional Benefits Of Seaweed

Sea vegetables, perhaps more commonly known as seaweed, have been eaten in the Far East for centuries, but are relatively uncommon in the American diet. However, sea vegetables are an excellent addition to a healthy diet: the seaweed nutrition facts show that, besides being one of those fruits and vegetables that we’re all supposed to eat more of, seaweed is rich in many vitamins and minerals as well as being a valuable source of protein and fiber.

Seaweed, or sea veg depending on your choice of nomenclature, is rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains significant amounts of iodine, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. The iodine content is significant enough that seaweed was once a treatment for goiters, caused by an iodine deficiency. Vitamins B12, C, and E are present in significant amounts, as well as carotenoids, a potent antioxidant.

The nutrients and phytochemicals found in seaweed provide many health benefits. They help to keep hair and skin looking healthy, they reduce cholesterol levels, and they boost the immune system. Alginic acid, found naturally in the plants, has been proven to bind to heavy metals in the human body, such as lead and mercury, and thus helps to eliminate them.

Although it varies some by species, seaweed is also considerably higher in protein than most vegetables. The brown seaweeds are generally lowest in protein, at around 5-15% of dry weight. The red and green seaweeds have on average twice as much, 10-30% of dry weight. Some varieties of red seaweed, such as dulse and nori are even richer in protein, and have protein contents equal to or greater than that of soybeans.

Although a tasty addition to the daily diet, you may not be ready yet to eat a bowl of fresh wakame or arame. If you still want the health benefits of seaweed you can get it in pill form, like your other vitamins. Sea Vegg is a seaweed pill that allows you to get many of the health benefits of eating raw seaweed, but in pill form. It is made of a blend of twelve different sea vegetables.

Among other seaweed health benefits, Sea Vegg contains the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavenoids, and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids of raw seaweed. It also contains compounds that studies suggest are antibiotic and antiviral. In addition, Sea Veg contains algal polyphenols, which are another antioxidant that may be helpful in reducing cellular oxidation damage.

In today’s markets, especially of the health food, ethnic, and specialty varieties, seaweed is quite readily available. It can be purchased most often in dried form. This packaged, dried seaweed can be eaten as a snack or used to make homemade sushi. Soaked, it can be made into a salad, or used in soups. If seaweed is not something you wish to eat, you can get the same health benefits by adding a Sea Veg pill to your daily diet.

- Martha Johnson