As we get older, it becomes more and more important that we're obtaining the right nutrients in the foods we eat. For ladies, which means ones that support healthy hormonal levels, disease prevention, along with a healthy weight – just to name some. Even though it might feel like there are plenty of “superfoods” to choose from, seaweed really checks all of these boxes.
Of course, you know seaweed because the algae that grows in the ocean, but it’s additionally a delicious treat. It's primarily eaten in Asian countries like Japan and South Korea (if you're a sushi fan, you’re already onboard), and it is loaded with nutrients that can boost thyroid health, lower blood sugar, and fight cardiovascular conditions.
Seaweed benefits the thyroid since it is rich in iodine – a nutrient a thyroid problem relies on to make certain hormones. Thyroid problems are much more common in women, and things get even trickier during after menopause if we are more likely to become iodine deficient. So getting more from it in what you eat might help defend against thyroid troubles. In fact, one sheet of nori seaweed (the most widely used seaweed snacks) contains 25 percent of the RDI (recommended daily intake) for iodine, and something teaspoon of kelp contains as much as 59 times the RDI for iodine! Seaweed also contains another thyroid boosting nutrient called tyrosine, which is used with iodine in thyroid hormone production.
Seaweed is also being studied for its potential benefits for all those struggling with blood-sugar conditions like diabetes. Researchers in one study including 60 adult subjects figured fucoxanthin, a substance found in seaweed, will benefit blood sugar control. Specifically, this research found that even people who were genetically predisposed to insulin resistance (a marker of type 2 diabetes) had improved blood sugar by the end of the trial. Fucoxanthin has even been linked to reductions in excess fat! Even more, another animal study discovered that alginate, another substance in seaweed, prevented blood sugar spikes after subjects were fed a meal high in sugar. It's believed that alginate could reduce sugar absorption in to the bloodstream.
