The appeal of seaweed, the superfood of the sea ~ Nutritionist's Column Vol.108

This seaweed is familiar in Japan, but is gaining attention around the world.
Seaweed is low in calories yet highly nutritious, containing plenty of dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
Seaweed contributes to health promotion and beauty, and is establishing itself as a new "superfood."

The rich nutrients contained in seaweed and its expected effects

Seaweed is low in calories and contains a variety of vitamins, including vitamins A , B , C , D and E.
It is rich in minerals such as iodine, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
It is also rich in nutrients, including dietary fiber, protein, and omega -3 fatty acids, which are often lacking in our diets.

It is said to have other positive effects, such as:

*Antioxidant effect : Seaweed contains ingredients with antioxidant properties that help protect cells from oxidation.
It protects tissues by supporting the normal functioning of the immune system and suppressing the excessive production of reactive oxygen species caused by inflammation.

*Blood sugar control <br>A component called "fucoidan," a type of polysaccharide that is abundant in seaweed and marine plants, has the effect of regulating blood sugar levels and is expected to be useful in managing diabetes.

*Immunity improvement
Seaweed contains compounds that support the immune system.
In particular, the dietary fiber β - glucan and seaweed-derived polysaccharides (alginic acid, carrageenan, and fucoidan) are attracting attention.
They are also thought to suppress inflammatory responses.

Major types of seaweed and their nutrients

seaweed
It is especially rich in calcium, which is good for bone health, as well as magnesium, iodine, iron, and vitamin C.

kelp
The particularly high iodine content helps promote metabolism and thyroid function.
It is also rich in calcium, iron, magnesium and dietary fiber.

seaweed
It is made up of about 40 % protein, making it a prime example of high protein, low calorie food.
It is also rich in vitamin B12 , iodine, vitamin A , iron, and dietary fiber.

Green laver
It is rich in magnesium, which is involved in bone health and regulating the nervous system.
It is also rich in calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C.

Hijiki
It is rich in dietary fiber and helps regulate the intestinal environment.
Hijiki is a great food for women because it contains vitamin A, which helps keep skin healthy. It is also rich in calcium, iron, and magnesium.

Seaweed is now in the spotlight

Seaweed is a complex and diverse organism, and there are many aspects of it that are still unknown.
For example, we still don't know how seaweed interacts with other organisms, what the specific functions of the compounds in seaweed are, how they adapt to extreme environments, or what changes they have undergone during their evolution.

As these research projects progress, new discoveries about seaweed are expected to be made.
We will introduce some seaweeds that are currently attracting attention.

Akamoku
It is a Japanese seaweed that is gaining attention for its high nutritional value and health benefits.
It is rich in calcium, iodine, iron, dietary fiber, and especially vitamins A and K.
It is believed to be beneficial for bone health, thyroid function, and blood health.
It also contains fucoidan, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and supports the immune system.
What's more, its dietary fiber improves intestinal flora, and it's also garnering attention as a sustainable food ingredient.

Eisenia
A Japanese seaweed that is very rich in dietary fiber.
Arame's dietary fiber contains the water-soluble dietary fiber "alginic acid" and "fucodyne," which are sticky components.
Alginic acid may help balance intestinal bacteria and suppress blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
On the other hand, fucoidan is expected to have effects such as improving immunity, preventing cancer, and anti-allergies.

Dulce
This seaweed is commonly eaten in some parts of the world, including Canada, and has recently been attracting attention for its excellent nutritional value and health and beauty benefits.
It is rich in protein, vitamin B , vitamin C , potassium, and other nutrients, and also has powerful antioxidant properties.
Dulse is expected to prevent aging, obesity, and anemia, and is also called "parsley of the sea" due to its nutritional balance. It is attracting attention as a superfood because it is both delicious and nutritious and is expected to have positive effects on health.

Seaweed also has properties that make it a sustainable food ingredient.
It has many appealing features, including environmentally friendly cultivation methods, high nutritional value, and the contribution it can make to future food security.
I hope this will be an opportunity to reexamine the power of seaweed.

GRØN's functional soup, Holy Moly Green , uses kelp from Rausu, Hokkaido.

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Nutritionist, Food Education Instructor, Food 6th Industrialization Producer Level 4
Ayako Ishihara

A nutritional advisor in the healthcare field and an agribusiness professional.
She is involved in a variety of activities specializing in the fields of beauty and health, including giving lectures to Miss World Japan candidates.

With the philosophy of "enriching the mind and body through food and realizing a vibrant society where people and communities are connected," he founded i-Field Co., Ltd. in 2013 and serves as its representative.
He is a core member of the food team for "DINING OUT," which opens outdoor restaurants in various regions, and also participates in fashion brand projects.
She is also involved in the promotion of local ingredients, product development and production specializing in "health" and "beauty," branding, concept design, food hygiene, sales promotion, training planning and management, etc. She is in charge of nutritional supervision for GRØN's product development, proposing ways to incorporate them more effectively into consumer health.

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