As the nutritional value of land vegetables continues to decline due to ongoing soil erosion and pollution, sea vegetables – whose nutritional compositions have remained intact for centuries – are coming to the fore as a much-needed source of minerals. Indeed, the average seaweed still contains over 70 essential minerals and phytonutrients, as well as numerous compounds that can pull unpleasant toxins from our bodies. Though all sea vegetables are nutritious and mineral-rich, some stand…
Iodine is an essential trace nutrient that is responsible for producing thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating the metabolism, which affects the speed with which our bodies use energy, the regulation of body temperatures, cholesterol, and heart rates, mental and physical growth, and more. Without an adequate intake of iodine, our metabolism would become sluggish, resulting in a plethora of serious medical conditions – including an inability to lose weight. Sadly, iodine deficiencies…
Wakame is an edible brown seaweed that is native to the cold and temperate coastal areas of Korea, China, and Japan. It has a delicate flavor and a slippery texture. Dried or salted wakame is often incorporated into a variety of East Asian dishes, including miyeok guk, miso soup, and tofu-based salads. Although wakame’s popularity remains confined to East Asia, many natural food stores in the West have started stocking it as a supplement because…
Sea lettuce is an edible green seaweed that grows along the coastlines of the world’s oceans. It is eaten by a number of sea animals including sea slugs and manatees, although humans have also eaten it for centuries. Characterized by its bright green color, lettuce-like appearance (hence the name), and somewhat waxy taste, sea lettuce can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in soups. Compared to other sea vegetables such as nori, kombu, and bladderwrack,…
Bladderwrack, also called rockweed, black tang, red fucus, and various other names, is an edible brown seaweed that grows along the coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the North and Baltic seas. Like many other seaweeds such as kelp, nori, and kombu, bladderwrack is beloved – especially in East Asia – for its medicinal properties. Indeed, it was the original source of iodine in Europe, and was used in the early nineteenth century…
