The new trend: seaweed snacks. Roasted and toasted into paper-thin little rectangular wafers topped with all sorts of flavors from sesame to wasabi, from sea salt to brown sugar. Seaweed snacks have been around for centuries, especially in Asian diets, yet their popularity in the US has exploded in recent years. This light and flavorful “vegetable from the sea” is packed with nutrients. People of all ages, even KIDS, enjoy this healthful snack.
A 2011 study published in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reported that some of the proteins in seaweed could act as better sources of bioactive peptides than the proteins in milk. These reduce blood pressure and boost heart health. Seaweed also has an impressive amount of nutrients like vitamins A, B-6 and C as well as iodine and fiber. These nutrients can help vision, immune function, reproduction, aid in a healthy nervous system, improve collagen production, boost thyroid function, and help normalize bowel movements. There is also some evidence that seaweed has healing properties that it can help detoxify the digestive system, aids in the shrinking of tumors and cysts, lowers cholesterol, reduce water retention, and assist in weight loss. So next time, rather than grabbing a processed chip or cracker, reach for a crispy piece of seaweed!