Kirkland Signature Roasted, Seasoned Seaweed Winter Harvest

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Furthermore, excess free radical production is considered to be an underlying cause of several diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes ( 20, 21). In addition to containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, seaweed boasts a wide variety of beneficial plant compounds, including flavonoids and carotenoids. These have been shown to protect your body’s cells from free radical damage ( 22, 23). 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 health of the thyroid. As the same study notes, high-fiber foods such as algae may also reduce cholesterol levels. These soluble fibers bind to bile acids or salts in the body.

The texture is perfectly crispy and chewy, just like you would expect from dried seaweed, and the flavor is honestly kind of amazing. It’s not at all fishy or “oceany,” and the fact that they’re roasted gives them a rich, almost smoky flavor that’s a little addictive. Adding algae to the diet may be a simple way to provide plenty of gut-healthy prebiotic fiber, which can help people experiencing issues such as constipation or diarrhea. 5. It may help with weight loss By the year 2040, 642 million people worldwide are expected to have type 1 or type 2 diabetes ( 49). A 2019 review notes that seaweed may also contain heavy metals. Though the amounts are usually not toxic, consuming seaweed in large quantities can cause arsenic bioaccumulation. Although seaweed is considered a healthy food, there may be some potential dangers to consuming too much. Excess IodineIt is possible to eat too much seaweed, especially if it contains large amounts of iodine, which can affect thyroid health. A small 2020 study suggests that consuming seaweed may cause high iodine exposure, which can lead to a thyroid condition. According to research from 2021, the consumption of several whole food seaweed or food products containing seaweed can cause excess iodine intake. Some seaweed dietary supplements may not provide adequate iodine, while others offer more than the Daily Value. 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 ( 34, 35, 36). The type of seaweed and the location in which it was grown can alter the iodine contents, which can make it an unreliable source of iodine.

That said, the heavy metal content in seaweed is usually below the maximum concentration allowances in most countries ( 61). However, excessive iodine intake may worsen a person’s symptoms of hyperthyroidism. This occurs when an overactive thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of hormones. 3. It may help with diabetes The results showed that fucoxanthin increased the expression of a protein that metabolizes fat in rats ( 36). A study in Scientific Reports investigating 10 potentially dangerous metals in seaweed came to a similar conclusion, though the authors called for more research into other metals. One 8-week study fed rats with high cholesterol a high fat diet supplemented with 10% freeze-dried seaweed. It found the rats had 40% lower total cholesterol, 36% lower LDL cholesterol, and 31% lower triglyceride levels ( 43).

It can make up about 25–75% of seaweed’s dry weight. This is higher than the fiber content of most fruits and vegetables ( 31, 32).