The Benefits Of Kelp: Is It A Superfood?

In this article, we take a look at the benefits of kelp.

Seaweed is an algae that grows on marine surfaces and has many macronutrients. In particular, it is rich in iodine and vitamin B group. In addition, it has many antioxidants that can prevent certain diseases.

However, you must be careful when using it. There is no scientific evidence of the properties yet, and eating too much can have negative health consequences.

The benefits of kelp, a high-fiber seaweed

We are talking about an algae that contains a lot of dietary fiber. This drug is useful for improving bowel movements and general health.

In addition, it is important to include it in a diet. Fiber intake is directly linked to an increase in feeling full, as stated in an article published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

In this way, eating kelp can often reduce the risk of eating unhealthy foods between meals. Eating fiber is also related to a reduction in markers associated with metabolic risks, such as the following:

• Lipid profile
• Blood sugar curve
• Insulin resistance

The antioxidants in kelp help improve health

Another of the health benefits of kelp is its antioxidant capacity. A study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine claims that this algae has a neuroprotective power that comes from antioxidants.

However, there are not many scientific articles that explore this ability, so there is no solid evidence right now that it is true that plant foods from the sea are usually rich in pigments and other compounds with antioxidant properties.

In addition, it has not yet been possible to quantify the seaweed’s ability to combat the formation of free radicals. In addition, the effect has not been compared with other foods.

Possible contraindications

Although many people can recommend this plant, it is important to take certain precautions. As a marine product, it is prone to collect heavy metals. This means that you should not eat it in large doses.

Intake of high doses of heavy metals can have certain negative consequences at the neurological level, always in the medium and long term. However, it is very rare to experience acute poisoning with this type of drug.

Large doses and eating it regularly for a long time would be necessary  to get sick from it. Then the metals will build up in the adipose tissue. Later, when they experienced a sudden weight loss, they could suddenly pass into the bloodstream.

However, it is best to be careful when considering eating algae. It can be positive in the right doses, but including too much of it in your diet may not be good for your health, especially in the medium to long term.

Kelp, an unusual food with many benefits

Seaweed is a food that is very rare in many dishes. So far it has not been studied in depth. Although its antioxidant capacity is suspected, more research is needed, as well as comparative experiments with other foods.

Nevertheless, this is a marine product rich in minerals and vitamins, especially the B group. You can add it to your food, although it is not a good idea to abuse it, as it may contain heavy metals.

The best recommendation for this food is caution. It promises to have protective properties against the development of neurodegenerative diseases. However, there is currently no research that unilaterally proves this.

Therefore, it is possible that something similar to what happened to spirulina many years ago may happen. At first, specialists believed that the algae would have many therapeutic uses and that it was very beneficial to health. Over time, it became clear that it was a food that was good to add to your diet, but that it did not have miraculous effects.

If in doubt, talk to your doctor or nutritionist for the best advice.