Health Benefits of Seaweed

Seaweed and other macro algae have been identified as good sources of functional ingredients such as heart healthy bioactive peptides. The review of almost 100 scientific studies, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, reports that some seaweed proteins have the same effects as the bioactive peptides found in milk products and dairy products, and work to reduce blood pressure in a similar way to ACE inhibitor drugs. Natural food bioactive peptides provide preventative effects against cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndromes. Bioactive peptides are defined as food-derived peptides that exert a physiological hormone-like effect in humans beyond their basic, nutritional value, (Hayes and team). Edible macro algae are a low-calorie food, with a high concentration of minerals, vitamins, and proteins and low lipid content. Seaweeds and other algae sources are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, D, and E, along with the B vitamins, and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. Polyphenol-rich extracts from edible seaweed may have anti-diabetic effects due to their ability to inhibit certain digestive enzymes, according to a research published in Food Chemistry. The study suggests that the phenolic-rich extracts from four species of commonly found edible seaweed may possess the capacity to inhibit digestive enzymes as well as having potential to inhibit colon cancer. Edible seaweeds contain a range of components which have been suggested to have potential health benefits. They are good sources of dietary fibre, especially soluble fibre such as alginates, which can influence satiety and glucose uptake from foods – These soluble polysaccharides may also act as prebiotics, stimulating growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. As well as being sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, minerals and certain vitamins, edible seaweeds contain appreciable amounts of polyphenols, polyphenol-rich extracts and isolated phlorotannin components have been shown to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells and to influence anti-inflammatory responses (Nwosu and colleagues).

Acknowledgement: foodnavigator.com, nutraingredients-usa.com