THE SEA BOTTOM PROVIDES US WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF NUTRIENTS IN THE FORM OF ALGAE, WHICH WITH ITS INGESTION, HELPS TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTH
KELP is the name given to various groups of seaweed that, thanks to their high content of vitamins and minerals, are used as a nutritional supplement and provide great benefits to those who consume them, improving metabolism, facilitating digestion and, they are even used to lose weight.
These algae with high nutritional content form a perfect complement to any diet, since they can contain even ten times more minerals than vegetables, fruits or any other land plant (Bocanegra, Bastida, Benedí, Nus, Sánchez and Sánchez, 2009).
KELP algae are found in shallow waters around the world, and they grow near the surface of the sea, where they absorb the sunlight necessary for photosynthesis, and this gives it its characteristic greenish-brown color.
Eastern countries, especially Japan and China, are the largest consumers of this plant, although in all Asian countries there is a great tradition of incorporating seaweed into their diet, in order to make it healthier and more vital (Jiménez, Gómez y Rupérez, 2015).
WHAT IS KELP ALGAE MADE OF?
If we were to define what KELP algae tastes like, we could say that it tastes of the sea, which is due to its high content of vitamins and more than 30 minerals.
Among all of them stands out iodine, (which regulates the thyroid gland), calcium, (which helps to achieve strong bones), silicon (which is essential in the formation of all our tissues) and sulfur (which helps the liver in the secretion of bile and allows good digestion), as well as trace elements and other nutrients such as fiber, perfect to deal with constipation and keep the body free of toxins and harmful substances (Draget, Skjåk-Bræk and Stokke, 2006).
Let’s see, in more detail, what are the components of the KELP algae (Condezo, Pérez and Rupérez, 2015; Jiménez, Gómez and Rupérez, 2015):
1) LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX HYDRATES
Although KELP algae provides a higher number of carbohydrates than protein (specifically 8.3 grams of carbohydrates and 1.6 g of proteins per 100 grams), they are low in glycemic index, thus avoiding peaks of blood sugar In addition, it should be noted that the protein contained in this alga is vegetable and of high biological value, which means that it is rich in essential amino acids.
2) MINERALS
We have already said that KELP algae is very rich in important minerals, such as potassium, iron and magnesium, iodine, calcium, to which we must add silicon, sulfur, sodium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, manganese, boron and chlorine.
As for iodine, it is well known that it is a determining mineral for controlling the thyroid gland (we will expand on this fundamental aspect later), but few people know that it is decisive for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the brain, which also hydrates the skin and prevents aging and wrinkles. On the other hand, its high concentration of calcium helps strengthen bones, so taking KELP seaweed is a good self-care strategy in the menopause stage.
3) VITAMINS
KELP Seaweed is packed with vitamins. Among the extensive catalog of those that it incorporates, we must highlight Vitamin A, C, D, E, K and the B complex vitamins, which are essential for the regeneration of our body.
This justifies that it protects the organs and the skin from the attack of free radicals, dealing with cellular oxidation, the formation of spots and the development of alterations in cellular DNA. There are even different scientific investigations that suggest that Japanese women could suffer a lower rate of ovarian, endometrial and breast cancer, as a result of taking this marine vegetable.
4) FIBER
KELP seaweed has a high concentration of alginate, which helps regulate intestinal transit and solves constipation when dieting. At these times, less fat is ingested, which greatly hinders the evacuation of stool. Taking KELP seaweed becomes, in this way, a good alternative for constipation. Likewise, studies indicate that this alginate makes it possible to block the absorption of fats by up to 75%, which helps regulate cholesterol levels.
5) WATER
Its high water content is similar to that of pineapple or artichoke, so these algae are considered a natural diuretic, helping the kidneys to function optimally, purifying the body of toxic substances and cleaning and purifying the arteries.
Based on all this, it is considered that its high content of minerals, vitamins, trace elements, fiber and water make it essential for health, since its components are part of the bones, muscles, teeth, blood, nerve cells and tissues soft and, in addition, they act as catalysts for various reactions in the body, being decisive for the production of hormones (Rupérez, Gómez and Jiménez, 2013).
Likewise, the high concentration that KELP Alga has of these micronutrients, make it a highly recommended substance for those with some type of deficiency, which is why more researchers and nutritionists are considering it a nutritional option to take into account. .
WHAT IS KELP ALGAE SUITABLE FOR
This algae not only benefits marine life, but it has been food for man since ancient times, and as we have already commented at the beginning, it is commonly used in eastern countries from which it has spread to the West due to its proven favorable effects for health (Cheong, Qiu, Du, Liu and Khan, 2018; Arshadi, Mateos, Rupérez et al., 2016).
As we have said, one of its main contributions to our health is that it is very rich in iodine, an essential mineral for the human body, essential also for the smallest of the house, both for their growth and for the normal development of the brain and the nervous system (Jiménez, Gómez & Rupérez, 2015). According to experts, symptoms of a lack of iodine often include:
- Scalp irritation,
- Dry and flaky skin,
- Constipation,
- Fatigue,
- Thyroid dysfunction,
- Infertility
- Growth abnormalities.
But KELP, we have already indicated, is not only iodine, it is also rich in folic acid and amino acids, trace elements, vitamins and minerals essential for the body.
All these nutrients, together, provide advantageous and very beneficial effects for humans, among which the following should be highlighted: (Cheong, Qiu, Du, Liu and Khan, 2018)
Provides a stronger and healthier physical and mental state, helping to reduce fatigue, and improve performance at work. On another level, it improves brain functions, collaborating by increasing learning capacity.
It also allows us to regulate intolerance to cold, and helps the body function properly, avoiding metabolic disorders such as hair loss or constipation, improving digestion, regulating cholesterol, strengthening nails.
In short, a compound with antioxidant and body cleanser properties.
It is specifically recommended in alterations such as:
- Arthritis
- Cramps
- Rheumatism
- Depressions
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Common cold
- Brittle nails
- Psoriasis
- Anemia
- Premature sterility
In summary, the intake of this extraordinary nutritional supplement has a proven reputation in different investigations, and its success lies in the combined effect of the minerals, trace elements, amino acids and vitamins it possesses, having shown signs of having very positive effects on metabolic disorders indicated (Bilan, Grachev, Shashkov, Kelly, Sanderson, Nifantiev and Usov, 2010).
In the next article, we will talk in more detail about these beneficial effects. Why? Well, simply, because we should make a little reflection: if Nature provides us with elements within our reach that can help us effectively, why not use them to improve our body at different levels?
References
Arshadi, M., Mateos, I., Rupérez, P. et al. (2016). Pre-treatment and extraction techniques for recovery of added value compounds from wastes throughout the agro-food chain. Green Chem., 18 (1), 6160-6204.
Bilan, MI., Grachev, AA., Shashkov, AS., Kelly, M., Sanderson, CJ., Nifantiev, NE. and Usov, AI. (2010). Further studies on the composition and structure of a fucoidan preparation from the brown alga Saccharina latissima. Carbohydrate research, 345 (14), 2038-2047.
Bocanegra, A., Bastida, S., Benedí, J., Nus, M., Sánchez, JM. and Sánchez, FJ. (2009). Effect of seaweed and cholesterol-enriched dieton postprandial lipoproteinaemia in rats. British Journal of Nutrition, 102 (12), 1728-1739.
Cheong, KL., Qiu, HM., Du, H., Liu, Y. and Khan, B. (2018). Oligosaccharides Derived from Red Seaweed: Production, Properties, and Potential Health and Cosmetic Applications. Molecules, 23 (10), pii: E2451.
Condezo, L., Pérez, E. and Rupérez, P. (2015). Improved evaporative light scattering detection for carbohydrate analysis. Food Chem 180 (1), 265-271.
Draget, KI., Skjåk-Bræk, G. and Stokke, BT. (2006). Similarities and differences between alginic acid gels and ionically crosslinked alginate gels. Food Hydrocolloids, 20 (2-3), 170-175.
Jiménez, A., Gómez, E. and Rupérez, P. (2015). Infrared characterization, monosaccharide profile and antioxidant activity of chemical fractionated polysaccharides from the edible seaweed sugar Kombu (Saccharina latissima). Int J Food Sci Technol 50 (2), 340-346.
Rupérez, P., Gómez, E. and Jiménez, A. (2013). Biological activity of algal sulphated and non-sulphated polysaccharides. In B. Hernández and M. Herrero (Eds), Bioactive Compounds from Marine Foods: Plant and Animal Sources, pp. 219-248. Chapter 11. NY: Wiley-Blackwell’s Food Science and Technology Book.
