What kind of seaweed can you eat

Like any spinach, wash the leaves thoroughly to remove any grittiness. Basically, fresh sea beet can replace spinach in any recipe! Email address:. Our products are available from our online shop , our eBay shop , our Amazon shop or simply give us a call and we can take orders and payments over the phone — whichever you prefer..

Please call us anytime - Home Seaweed Foraging. Seaweed Foraging Veggies of the Sea. Coastal Safety Guide. Laver Probably your best bet is Laver, which is basically the Welsh name for red sea weed. Brown Leafweed Usually referred to as sea spaghetti, this most closely resembles spinach tagliatelle in appearance.

Gifts for Foodie Read more. Sea Kale This is a cabbage-like plant growing close to the sea in shingle or shingle and sand. Sea Beet or Sea Spinach Now this is the mother of all spinach! It will also fill you up; a breakfast that includes seaweed will keep all but the most habitual snacker off the biscuits until lunchtime.

Invariably, the seaweed served by posh restaurants in the UK is imported, but this is set to change. Although it is already commercially harvested in Scotland and Ireland, Rory MacPhee, a veteran Cornish forager, has become the first person to get a licence to cultivate and sell seaweed in England.

It is a hugely important step. Historically, concerns over safety and sustainability have meant that formal seaweed farming was outlawed, but now, together with the environmental body Natural England , the Crown Estate has agreed to an official process that involves the careful collection of this much neglected resource. But until MacPhee's seaweed hits the supermarket, we can still go out and forage for the stuff ourselves. There are half a dozen species along the Dorset coast and in an afternoon I can find enough to last an entire year it dries well.

Fortunately, the edible species such as dulse, kelp, carragheen, laver and gutweed are easy to identify and, unlike fungi and flowering plants, there are no poisonous seaweeds near to UK shores. Sadly, there is no common law right to pick them unless they are already detached but, in practice, taking a kilo home for tea won't get you into trouble. Seaweed also contains antioxidants , which may protect the body from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation at the cellular level.

The thyroid gland controls and releases hormones for energy production, growth, and cellular repair. The thyroid needs iodine to function correctly, but the amount that a person requires depends on the state of the thyroid. Iodine deficiency is one cause of hypothyroidism underactive thyroid.

It may result in the development of a goiter , a visible enlargement of the thyroid gland. People may be able to prevent or improve hypothyroidism by ensuring that their diet contains sufficient iodine. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive and produces excessive amounts of hormones. An excessive iodine intake may worsen symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Seaweed is very rich in iodine. According to a study in the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis , kombu is the richest source of iodine, followed by wakame and nori.

Kelp powder is also a significant source. Fiber-rich foods may help with diabetes. This is because high amounts of fiber help regulate blood glucose levels and insulin levels. A study in rats found that compounds in one type of seaweed may directly reduce markers of type 2 diabetes , such as high blood sugar.

Compounds in seaweed may also reduce diabetes risk factors, such as inflammation, high fat levels, and insulin sensitivity.

Further research in humans may help provide stronger evidence for the use of these compounds. Bacteria in the intestines play an important role in breaking down food and supporting digestion and overall health. Algae may be an ideal food for the gut. Intestinal bacteria break fiber into compounds that improve gut health and the health of the immune system.

Adding algae to the diet may be a simple way to provide the body with plenty of gut-healthy prebiotic fiber, which in turn can help with issues such as constipation or diarrhea. Some types can even contain high amounts of vitamin B Antioxidants can make unstable substances in your body called free radicals less reactive 19 , Furthermore, excess free radical production is considered to be an underlying cause of several diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes In addition to containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, seaweed boasts a wide variety of beneficial plant compounds, including flavonoids and carotenoids.

Fucoxanthin has been shown to protect cell membranes better than vitamin A While the body does not always absorb fucoxanthin well, absorption may be improved by consuming it along with fat Nevertheless, seaweed contains a wide variety of plant compounds that work together to have strong antioxidant effects Seaweed contains a wide range of antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, carotenoids and flavonoids.

These antioxidants protect your body from cell damage. Gut bacteria play an enormous role in your health. Seaweed is an excellent source of fiber, which is known to promote gut health This is higher than the fiber content of most fruits and vegetables 29 , Fiber can resist digestion and be used as a food source for bacteria in your large intestine instead. These polysaccharides can also increase the production of short-chain fatty acids SCFA , which provide support and nourishment to the cells lining your gut Seaweed contains fiber and sugars, both of which can be used as food sources for the bacteria in your gut.

Seaweed contains a lot of fiber, which does not contain any calories The fiber in seaweed may slow stomach emptying, too. This helps you feel fuller for longer and can delay hunger pangs Seaweed is also considered to have anti-obesity effects.

In particular, several animal studies suggest that a substance in seaweed called fucoxanthin may help reduce body fat 32 , 33 , One animal study found that rats who consumed fucoxanthin lost weight, whereas rats who consumed the control diet did not. The results showed that fucoxanthin increased the expression of a protein that metabolizes fat in rats Other animal studies found similar results. For example, fucoxanthin has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels in rats, further aiding weight loss 35 , Seaweed may help you lose weight because it contains few calories, filling fiber and fucoxanthin, which contributes to an increased metabolism.

Factors that increase your risk include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and being physically inactive or overweight. Interestingly, seaweed may help reduce your blood cholesterol levels 37 ,