What are the Health Benefits of Seaweed?

Consuming seaweed is not something that most people do; however, the fact of the matter is that consumption of seaweed can be very helpful. Seaweed, typically available via local health food stores or via online health food stores, contains a variety of benefits. For example, the health benefits of seaweed include vitamins, minerals, aided circulation, stress reduction, and toxicity reduction.

Seaweed contains a variety of vitamins the human body needs on a daily basis. For example, vitamin A, vitamin B1, B6, B2, vitamin C, niacin, vitamin C, folic acid and pantothenic acid are some of the health benefits of seaweed. There are other minerals and vitamins in seaweed as well. In fact, seaweed has vitamin B12 and 55 other vitamins and minerals the human body needs daily.

Reportedly, all minerals needed by the human body, such as potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and iodine, are present in seaweed in sufficient amounts. An example of the important role minerals play includes the benefit to hair. Minerals can help lengthen and improve the shine of hair.

Circulation is another of the health benefits of seaweed. Seaweed helps blood flow through the body. It can also improve the look of one's skin. Increases in metabolism and warmth are additional health benefits of seaweed.

Seaweed has been reported to be a good way to reduce the levels of stress a person experiences. For instance, having a salad or sandwich with seaweed or having dried seaweed combined with juice has been described as a good way to specifically clear the mind and bring about psychological calm.

Toxicity reduction is another health benefit of seaweed. There is an ingredient in seaweed called alginic acid which binds all toxic metals inside of the body. When a person consumes unhealthy foods or is exposed to toxins, the alginic acid allows the body to eliminate the toxins.

Of note, there are different kinds of seaweed that one can purchase, such as laver, dulse, carrageen, kombu (kelp), wakame, sea lettuce, sea spaghetti, and sweet kelp. Keep in mind that seaweed can be a healthy thing to include in a diet. The fact that it is usually inexpensive is an additional benefit.