Seaweed - Useful Properties

Seaweed is a valuable dietary food. These gifts of the sea are actively used in cooking and medicine.

Seaweed is a valuable dietary food. These gifts of the sea are actively used in cooking and medicine.

Seaweeds entered the diet relatively recently. Only in the second half of the last century, this product began to be actively used for cooking, as well as for the industrial production of ready-made products and some drugs. It is worth noting that many types of ice cream, marmalade and marshmallows contain alginic acids, which are obtained from seaweed. Thus, even if you do not eat seaweed in its natural form, you occasionally consume its extracts contained in various food products.

Over the past few decades, much has become known about the beneficial properties of algae. According to medical observations, regular consumption of seaweed helps to rejuvenate the body, a person becomes energetic and gets sick much less often.

Nutritional value of seaweed

Almost all edible seaweed contains the following components:

• vitamins (A, B, C, D, K, PP, folic acid);
• carotenes;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids;
• polysaccharides (glucan, alginic acid, sulfated galactans, lignins, pectins and others);
• macro- and microelements, in particular, a huge amount of iodine, the concentration of which can reach 1000 mg per 1 kg of seaweed;
• chlorophyll and its derivatives;
• phenolic compounds;
• plant sterols;
• enzymes

The energy value of seaweed is only 7-15 kcal per 100 g of product. Therefore, they are rightfully considered a valuable dietary product. Eating algae in large quantities will not affect your figure.

What is the benefit of seaweed

Anticarcinogenic action

Seaweeds have an anti-cancer effect due to the content of a large amount of alginates in them. These compounds are capable of selectively binding to radionuclides, salts of heavy metals, and together with them, are naturally excreted from the body. Salts of alginic acid are good radioprotectors (protect the body from harmful radiation). Given these properties of seaweed, they should be actively used as a preventive measure against cancer.

Antimutagenic activity

Pigments contained in seaweed (carotene, lutein, chlorophyll) protect cells from mutations. The mechanism of antimutagenic activity of seaweed has not yet been fully studied, but the fact of their positive effect has been established.

Antioxidant effect

Seaweeds contain vitamins A and C, which have antioxidant activity. The complex of these vitamins slows down the aging process and activates the activity of the immune system, which allows you to effectively fight many diseases.

Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties

A number of biologically active substances, which are immunocorrectors, endow seaweed with such properties. These components have a positive effect on the activity of T-lymphocytes and macrophages, and also contribute to the synthesis of immunoglobulin-A, the lack of which is the cause of many chronic diseases of the respiratory and genitourinary systems.

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Seaweed (especially brown) contains a large amount of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids reduce the concentration of low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol), thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels. Omega-3 fatty acids have a positive effect on the work of the cardiovascular system, and also prevent the development of obesity and diabetes.

Seaweeds and synthesis of prostaglandins

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic acid), which are part of seaweed, participate in the synthesis of special substances - prostaglandins, which are the main mediators of the inflammatory process. Various types of prostaglandins are found in almost all tissues and organs. These substances have a stimulating effect on the smooth muscles of the intestines and uterus. Prostaglandins contribute to the normalization of blood pressure, and also help fight foreign agents.