It’s the season of love, and while our love affair with seaweed lasts all year, it’s the perfect time to share with you our top 5 reasons why seaweed is worth your love too.
1: Seaweed addresses a major nutrient deficiency
Seaweed is a superior source of the nutrient iodine – an essential nutrient for health. While many people may not have heard of iodine, it is hugely important for cognitive health and the healthy functioning of the thyroid. Having too little iodine in your diet can lead to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), which in turn can lead to all kinds of unwanted symptoms including weight gain, dry skin and tiredness[i].
Despite the importance of iodine for health, research shows that deficiency rates in the UK are some of the worst, with an even higher rate than many developing countries[ii]. What’s more, these worrying statistics spread beyond the UK, with Europe now considered to be an iodine deficient continent[iii].
2: Seaweed is the only natural plant-based source of iodine
You might be wondering why the rates of iodine deficiency are so bad… the main reason is that we are simply not consuming enough in our diets. Good food sources of iodine include white fish, milk and yogurt. However, the rise of flexitarian and plant-based diets means that these foods are consumed less and less, further reducing the only good sources of iodine from our diet.
Research supporting this found that those following a vegan diet were at a greater risk of iodine deficiency, with a third of vegan participants included in this study classed as dangerously deficient in iodine[iv]. So how can those moving away from animal products ensure that they aren’t compromising their health? Seaweed is the answer! Seaweed is the only good natural and plant-based source of iodine, and actually provides an even better source than that from animal products – what’s not to love?
3: Seaweed is sustainable
Whilst we all know that land plants are beneficial for the environment, fewer people are aware of just how important marine plants can be for the health of our climate. Seaweed is particularly valuable due to its ability to soak up carbon, which it uses for photosynthesis. It’s capacity to do this is now being recognised as a potential way to offset carbon emissions, with some research suggesting that seaweed farming could compensate for the carbon emissions produced from land farming at a local level[v].
What’s more, seaweed is a highly sustainable food source due to its ability to grow abundantly (without fertiliser), and its growth having minimal environmental impact.
4. Seaweed has been consumed for millions of years
Thanks to it’s ‘roll’ in sushi and its reputation as a superfood, it’s fair to say that seaweeds popularity has surged over recent years. However, seaweed is anything but a modern day trend, with the benefits of its consumption actually tracing back millions of years!
In fact, in a scientific review, researchers highlighted the potential impact that consuming seaweed had for our ancient ancestors – even posing the question ‘did seaweed make us who we are today?’[vi]. The study suggests that the particular blend of essential nutrients provided by seaweed likely contributed to the evolution and cognitive development of early Homo sapiens.
5. Seaweed can easily fit into your routine
While there are so many things to love about seaweed, we know that flavour isn’t always one of them! What’s more, many people are at a loss when it comes to cooking or even knowing where to buy seaweed. But there’s no need to slave over complex recipes or sourcing the right species – with Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful® capsules you can reap the rewards of seaweed every single day.
Just one capsule a day contains as much iodine as a portion of haddock, making it easy for you to achieve your recommended daily intake – without having to consume animal products or artificial sources.
If you have yet to fall in love with Doctor Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful® natural seaweed supplements, what are you waiting for? Click here to see the full range and discover the wonder of seaweed for yourself.