Seaweed 101: Separating Fact from Fiction

Welcome to seaweed 101, a simple guide to understanding the truth about seaweed. It is no secret that when it comes to health and nutrition, we are surrounded by misunderstandings and myths. This is why it’s crucial that we strive to stay informed on what is healthy and what is not. After all, the knowledge around health is constantly evolving. Every single day, we see these fad diets come and go along with exaggerated claims regarding fat content, sugar levels, and weight-loss claims. By the same token, seaweed falls in the same category where we must know facts from fiction. This way, we can dispel myths and present truths for our health as well as the safety of our friends and loved ones. At The Perfect Nutrition, we take enormous pride in educating our consumers. Read on to discover more about seaweed and the facts we must separate from fiction and myths.

Seaweed’s Iodine Levels

You may have heard that iodine levels in seaweed are high and that seaweed makes for a great nature source and makes for a great targeted supplement. Well, it's 100% true! Haha, I bet you thought we were going to contradict something here huh? Nope, seaweed is the #1 source for naturally occurring iodine and used by over one billion people worldwide every day, which means it's also the safest known form of iodine supplementation. Now, not all seaweed species retain iodine in the same quantities. While iodine is marginally found in Nori, the iodine levels in Wakame are at a much higher level. The belief that seaweed simply provides ample iodine in all forms is also incorrect. Many of the "seaweed snacks" that are in the marketplace only contain negligible amounts of the vital element and shouldn't be used as a targeted supplement.

Why Is Iodine Important?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has discovered iodine deficiency in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, a few other wealthy countries, and the majority of African countries since 2007. Despite the use of iodized salt, there is an iodine shortage. Iodine supports humans in the following ways:

• Proper thyroid function. (don't dismiss this as the thyroid is such a critical gland)
• Proper development during pregnancy.
• Improved cognitive function.
• Treating infections.
• Protection from nuclear fallout. (yes, this is a real thing by the CDC. See here)

Seaweed’s Vitamins and Minerals

Many people claim that seaweed is not a realistic food source here in the United States, but across the oceans cultures have been using it since the very beginning. In the USA, we've seemed to develop a phobia of the plant from the media we consume and the behaviors we observe. In fact, it's quite possibly the most abundance source of multivitamin support that the majority simply refuses to consume. Surprisingly, seaweed is a good provider of calcium and iron. Seaweeds are high in amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in seaweed and algae. B vitamins can be found in nori seaweed. Long story short, if you compared seaweed to any other vegetable it would knock it off the charts with it's variety and potency.

Seaweed in Cooking and Preparation

It is simply not true that seaweed is tough to prepare, especially as we see today that it plays a major role in the culinary arts. All types of culinary establishments are incorporating seaweed in creative ways and large commercial organizations are using it as a cheaper alternative Seaweed has, in fact, become a strong contender as an ingredient in many dishes across the globe. It is a unique superfood that is gaining popularity, especially among dietitians. We also see today that it is being compared to the much-beloved kale. Seaweed is frequently used in salads, soups, stews, and sauces. With various videos of popular seaweed preparation and cooking methods, you can too learn that cooking algae is possible and easy!

Seaweed and Its Uses

Of course, we first associate seaweed with consuming it. Beyond eating or cooking seaweed, we can experience its nutritional benefits in other ways such as taking it as a supplement, using seaweed skin products, and more. This way, you can enjoy seaweed even if you are not a fan of its taste!

5 Awesome Facts about Seaweed

• Seaweeds and algae provide 70% of the world's oxygen.
• There are nine times as many microscopic algae and seaweeds in water than there are on land.
• Most seaweeds are soft and mushy, however, red seaweeds are rock-hard.
• Seaweed is not a plant. Only green seaweeds qualify as plants since they gave origin to terrestrial plants.
• Seaweeds absorb minerals from the ocean and are considered the most nutritious food on the planet.

Conclusion

Now, you finally understand seaweed a little better. Time and again, this ingredient has proven itself to be a superfood that is good for us inside and out. To improve your overall health, try seaweed in its many forms and witness the changes for yourself! Are you looking for the best seaweed supplements? The Perfect Nutrition is here to start making a healthy lifestyle within your reach. Browse our products and shop them today!