5 Reasons To Love Seaweed

Yeah, it kind of freaks me out when I’m swimming in the ocean, minding my own business, and I feel it brush up against my leg as if it wants to be friends… but I have a new-found appreciation for seaweed.

It all started with these seaweed snacks I bought at a Japanese supermarket last week. Now, be warned, you know you’re eating something straight from the sea when you take a bite out of one of these thin sheets of seaweed. It’s certainly an acquired taste. But, in my opinion, these are salty little sheets of heaven.

seaweed benefits

As I was downing my first package, I couldn’t help but wonder what this seaweed was doing to my body upon its entrance. It turns out this sea-inhabiting vegetable can offer quite a bit of benefits. I must mention that a lot of seaweed claims are not yet backed by concrete evidence, but there seem to be tons of seaweed-eaters who swear by it! Here are 5 reasons why.

Seaweed benefitsb

Iodine. Seaweed contains an incredible amount of iodine – which is something that’s hard to come by. Your daily dose is packed into just one gram of it. More than half of your body’s iodine is stored in the thyroid gland, which plays a very important role in your body’s metabolic processes.

seaweed benefits

Hormone regulation. Studies suggest that seaweed can help control estrogen, which is necessary for the health of sexual organs. Because of this, seaweed is believed to help keep PMS in check, and even lower breast cancer risks.

Detoxification. Seaweed is believed to protect the body from heavy metals and other environmental impurities by turning them into harmless salts that are easily flushed from the body. It also contains lots of chlorophyll, which helps remove toxins from the body.

seaweed benefits

For the skin. The wide array of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids contained in seaweed are thought to do wonders for the skin – like hydrate, nourish, promote elasticity, and increase blood flow to its surface. I’d be interested in trying out a seaweed wrap at a spa!

For the hair. Similarly, seaweed is thought to give shine, texture, and nourishment to the hair by being applied externally (many hair products contain seaweed extract for this reason) – and eating it is believed to help hair grow faster, as well.

seaweed benefits

Any seaweed lovers out there? Let us know why you love it!

Follow Brigette on Instagram, and have a look at her blog and Etsy shop!

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I just received seaweed snacks in this months UrthBox package. Even more excited to try it now!

ataylor
9 years ago

Dulse sandwiches were a favorite growing up. Fry up the dulse til its crispy and put it on a sandwich just as you would bacon! Its delicious (yes its not bacon) but it adds immense flavor and crunch! Terrific with fried egg sandwiches :)

Aliana
9 years ago

Here’s my favorite seaweed salad recipe…

~ wakame (soaked for 5 minutes or so and drained)
~ tamari, soy sauce, or bragg’s liquid aminos
~ sesame oil
~ sesame seeds
~ chopped scallions
~ grated ginger

Mix it all up and enjoy!!!

Amanda Culverhouse
9 years ago

I’m half Korean, so naturally seaweed has been a huge part of my diet growing up. My favorite way to eat it is just with some rice, kimchee, and bulgogi (Korean marinated beef), or fried spam!

Amanda Culverhouse
9 years ago

It’s also really good in soup!

9 years ago

I’ve learned to love seaweed over the years. I love whipping up a quick miso soup, which I OVERLOAD with seaweed. I love its salty, briny, oceanic flavor. Seaweed snacks are so addictive too! The more I try to branch out and eat seaweed outside of a sushi roll, the more I learn how much I like it!

<3 dani
http://blog.shopdisowned.com

Hypnotica Vintage
9 years ago

I love a seaweed salad with sesame oil and tamari. I’ve been using a mask with sea kelp and rhassoul clay, and
it’s been fantastic as well. Excited to learn about it’s hormone regulating properties.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HypnoticaVintage

9 years ago

You convinced me! I am gonna buy a pack! xx

ChicTrends
9 years ago

We LOVE seaweed, especially in face masks! Snacking it is just as good too :)

http://chictrends.co.uk/

9 years ago

I love seaweed, I don’t eat sushi as much but give me the snacks and they will be gone in less than 10 minutes. Also in Wakame ( a type of Japanese Seaweed soup) the seaweed is the best part. I knew it was packed with health benefits but some of them I didn’t even know about.
A good read!

Sara
9 years ago

Seaweed DEFINITELY freaks me out in the ocean…. but I have no problem snacking on it all day! Haha I love this post

xoxo Sara
http://www.restlessnomads.com

9 years ago

beautiful pictures, as always. And I think seaweed is so scary when I am swimming haha – I never tasted it though. x
http://www.lemontierres.com

9 years ago

I read this article fully concerning the difference of latest and earlier
technologies, it’s remarkable article.

9 years ago

Another one of Mother Natures natural wonders from the sea.