While Japan consumes 14.5g of seaweed per year and per capita, in France, they are still very shy in our plates. If you want to take advantage of their benefits, it is important to check their quality and origin because seaweed can be contaminated by polluted water, heavy metals and pesticides. True concentrates of minerals and trace elements, discover 5 reasons why you should put edible seaweed on your plate!

Et pour commencer, petit bonus : recette de tartare d'algue minute

Ingrédients :

• 100g Dried seaweed in flakes,

• Some pickles,

• ½ lemon juce,

• Capers,

• Olive oil

Chop all the ingredients in a blender and season to taste. You can eat this tartar as a spread on a slice of wholemeal bread, as an appetizer, as a starter... Can be kept 2-3 days in the refrigerator. 

1. les algues, un cocktail de nutriments

The great diversity and concentration of nutrients give algae the title of superfood.

Depending on the variety chosen, the algae are rich in :

• Vitamins A, B2, B9, C and K,

• Copper,

• Iodine,

• Iron,

• Manganese,

• Magnesium,

• Calcium,

• Phosphorus,

• Potassium,

• Zinc.

Seaweeds are thus indicated to revitalize people who are deficient, tired, stressed, convalescent, in period of examination.

2. Les algues pour améliorer le transit

The fibers contained in the seaweed regulate the transit. The fibers are neither digested nor absorbed, they act mechanically by stimulating the intestinal wall which reacts by activating the peristalsis. 

In addition, fiber helps to reabsorb water and make loose stools denser. 

Seaweed will relieve people whose transit is disturbed (constipation / chronic diarrhea) without allergic cause.  

3. Les algues pour prendre soin de la thyroïde

Iodine is a trace element essential to the proper functioning of the thyroid. Indeed, it is one of the major components of thyroid hormones. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the neck. It is involved in many metabolic functions: regulation of body temperature, reproduction and growth...

Beware, however, of those prone to hyperthyroidism or any condition affecting the thyroid. Ask your doctor or naturopath for advice. 

In France, many table salts are enriched with iodine in order to compensate for possible deficiencies which can be catastrophic for health (goitre, oedema) or even irreversible such as cretinism (mental handicap in children). 

People on a low-salt diet are likely to be deficient in iodine. Seaweed can be recommended to them.

Did you know that?  In case of a nuclear disaster, the health authorities recommend taking a potassium iodide tablet to protect the thyroid from radiation. In this regard, people living within a 20 km radius of nuclear power plants have been given a voucher by these same authorities to go and get iodine tablets in priority and free of charge at the pharmacy in case of an incident. 

4. Les algues pour perdre du poids

Seaweeds are very low in calories (200 to 300 kcal/100g) and low in fat (even if they are of very good quality). 

Let's go back to fiber... Fiber contributes to the temporary sensation of satiety. However, the role of fiber does not stop there. It traps sugar in the cellulose, spreads it gradually and then evacuates through natural channels. The glycemia (the sugar level in the blood) is then regulated. 

Thus, seaweed can be included in slimming and anti-diabetes diets.

5. Les algues pour se protéger des maladies cardio-vasculaires

The potassium contained in seaweed helps lower blood pressure when it is too high. 

In addition, the combination of fiber, antioxidants and fatty acids present in seaweed promotes good cardiovascular health.

Conseil pour débuter

In organic stores and some supermarkets, you can find many varieties of fresh or dried seaweed in flakes. These are the most practical to start with because you can sprinkle them on your salads and raw vegetables or prepare a salt/seaweed mixture as a condiment.