Kelp Me! Is Seaweed Good for You?

Seaweed is so nutrient-rich, it’s basically a superfood. Nutrition can vary by type, but here’s the breakdown of 3.5 ounces — or 100 grams (g) — of raw kelp:

• Calories: 43
• Fat: 0.56 g
• Carbs: 9.57 g
• Fiber: 1.3 g
• Protein: 1.68 g

As for the micronutrients?

• Vitamin B9 (folate): 45% of the recommended daily value (DV)
• Magnesium: 29% of the DV
• Calcium: 17% of the DV
• Iron: 16% of the DV
• Zinc: 11% of the DV
• Potassium: 2% of the DV
• Vitamin C: 3.3% of the DV
• Vitamin E: 6% of the DV

Seaweed also contains iodine, although the amount varies according to species, location, and the manufacturing process. Dried seaweed’s iodine count lands between 16 micrograms (mcg)/g and 2,984 mcg/g. That’s anywhere from 11% to 1,989% of your recommended daily intake.

Seaweed = so much more than a slimy, green beach nuisance! Let’s look at the plethora of health perks.

Might support healthy thyroid function

Will a California roll prevent thyroid disease? Probably not. But iodine is essential for healthy thyroid function.

Most adults need about 150 mcg of iodine per day. A deficiency can affect fertility and lead to red flags like exhaustion, neck swelling, and unhealthy changes in weight. But a mere gram of sea moss offers 47 mg of iodine. #Winning

Can stave off disease with antioxidants

Your body needs antioxidants to stabilize free radicals, the unstable molecules that damage cells and contribute to major health probs.

Seaweed is swimming with antioxidants like flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins A, C, and E.

Brown seaweed also contains a carotenoid called fucoxanthin. This bad boy has 13.5 times the antioxidant power as vitamin E and is known to protect cell membranes more effectively than vitamin A.

Could keep your gut happy

The fiber in seaweed feeds the good bacteria in your gut. Digestion-wise, it also keeps things moving. 💩

But fiber’s not the only gutsy star on seaweed’s roster. Seaweed also contains sulfated polysaccharides, which the good bacteria in your digestive system adore.

May support weight loss

Seaweed’s fiber can support weight loss by helping you feel full quickly *and* for longer. But the micronutrients in some seaweed could accelerate results, too.

A 2015 research review found that the fucoxanthin in edible brown seaweed might have positive effects on obesity. But researchers emphasized that more research is needed in humans.

A 2020 research review with mice included info on the effects of taking 1 g of red seaweed extract daily for 12 weeks. The mice who received the extract lost more body fat than the ones who took a placebo.

Although preliminary research is promising, there’s not enough solid evidence to say for sure if eating seaweed can help people lose weight.

Could promote heart health

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death among pretty much all peeps worldwide? High cholesterol and high blood pressure are major contributors to heart disease. Seaweed may help ward off both.

A 2013 animal study found that rats who received freeze-dried seaweed had much healthier cholesterol levels than the other rats. Of course, we need more research since this study is dated *and* was performed on animals, not humans.

Certain bioactive peptides in seaweed may help manage blood pressure by affecting the pathways that increase blood pressure.

Promising stuff? Yes. But more large-scale human studies are needed.

Might regulate blood sugar

Whether you’re living with diabetes, prediabetes, or blood sugar spikes, seaweed might be your new BFF.

Firstly, good ol’ fiber is known to help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. A small 2017 study also suggested that fucoxanthin is beneficial against diabetes — a disease marked by unstable blood glucose (blood sugar).

Then there’s a 2018 study with rats, which found that some seaweed compounds reduce fasting blood glucose levels.

Once again, we need more research to truly understand seaweed’s effects on blood sugar management.

May offer immune support

Limited research suggests that some types of seaweed can help your immune system.

A 2018 animal study found that adding seaweed to fish feed boosted immune function in salmon. A 2015 animal study also found that feeding sea moss to rats increased the animals’ ability to fight off bacteria and viruses.

Results are promising, but there’s no proof that seaweed has the same benefits in humans, yet.

Seaweed is considered healthy if you eat it in moderation. Here are the risks of eating too much of the stuff.

Iodine overload

TBH, a 2014 case report showed that connecting seaweed consumption with iodine overdose is rare. And it seems that simply lowering your intake can clear things up. But since most adults can tolerate only 1,100 mcg of iodine per day, pushing past that on a regular basis could be bad for your thyroid.

So, what about folks who eat seaweed on the regular? In Japan, some people consume 667 to 2,000 percent of their required daily intake. The trick is eating seaweed with veggies like broccoli, cabbage, and bok choy. These foods contain compounds that prevent the thyroid gland from taking up too much iodine.

Cooking also has an impact, too. Boiling kelp for 15 minutes can eradicate up to 90 percent of its iodine.

Heavy metals

Seaweed excels at absorbing and storing minerals. That can be bad news if the plant soaks up heavy metals like mercury and lead.

Ingesting metal is no joke, but the risk of this happening is super small. A 2017 analysis found that the low metal levels in most seaweed does not pose a serious health risk.

Want to include more seaweed in your diet? You could try…

• creating tasty seaweed salads
• snacking on dried seaweed snacks
• rolling all kinds of sushi
• blending seaweed into your morning smoothie
• adding dried seaweed power to baked goods
• topping yogurt or oatmeal with seaweed
• using it to thicken soups and stews

Seaweed = algae that packs in several impressive nutrients. Some research suggests that it can support thyroid function, gut health, weight loss efforts, and more.

Most peeps can safely eat seaweed. Just stick to the recommended serving size to avoid iodine overload or heavy metals.

Adding seaweed to your daily diet can be as simple as eating seaweed salad, sushi, or dried seaweed snacks. You can also sprinkle dried seaweed powder onto a range of dishes.