Why Seaweed Is Super Healthy and Nutritious, 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Seaweed, Kelp Benefits: A Health Booster from the Sea. Despite these promising results, understanding how wakame may affect cholesterol levels in humans requires further research. It is commonly used as starter or appetiser in Japanese and Korean cuisines. If you don't eat some form of seaweed regularly, then you are seriously missing out. Additional studies are needed to discover how wakame may impact blood sugar levels in humans. Some research suggests that adding wakame to your diet can help keep blood pressure under control and optimize heart health. • Kombu and Wakame include fibers that help the body get rid of heavy metals as well as reduce absorption of them. In the world of marine biology and marine ecology, sea vegetables are widely recognized as plants with an excellent ability to take up minerals from the water and hold onto these minerals in their cells. I had no idea that there was nasty high fructose corn syrup in the restaurant seaweed salad. But is it safe to eat…, Kelp’s iodine content is just one reason to consider it a superfood. For example, a seaweed called hijiki, is known to contain arsenic. After soaking, wakame can easily replace leafy greens like lettuce, spinach or arugula in your favorite salads. Best of all, there are many different ways to enjoy this tasty seaweed as part of a balanced diet, making it easy to take advantage of its unique health-promoting properties. As I mentioned, you can rid yourself of heavy metals with 5 … Because most research has been conducted in animals, additional high-quality studies are needed to look at how wakame may affect weight in humans. We have also verified huge concentration differences in seaweed products depending on where they are grown. Sushi is a very popular dish that originates from Japan. Removing Heavy Metals From Your Body With These 5 Foods! Share on Pinterest. It is also important to note that methods of preparing sea vegetables can make a difference in the amount of arsenic found in edible portions. Seaweed may also contain some heavy metals and contaminants, yet multiple studies have found that the amounts are too low to be of concern (25, 26). Taking it will help us to eliminate heavy metals from our body, to balance the thyroid as well as to promote weight loss. One study in 52,679 women reported that increased seaweed consumption was linked to a higher risk of thyroid cancer, which could be a result of excess iodine intake (14, 15, 16). These types include arame, hijiki, kombu, nori, and wakame. Hijiki is an uncommon kind of seaweed harvested mainly from seas off Japan and Korea. Should I be concerned about sea vegetables being contaminated. Wakame helps boosting the immune system and detoxifying the body from Heavy metals. In short, yes, just like some land based foods. Be careful of toxic metals in seaweed, as well. Here are 8 healthy foods that contain higher amounts of certain nutrients than multivitamins. One of the most impressive health benefits of wakame is its ability to block cancer cell growth in some animal and test-tube studies. • Seaweed is believed to provide protection against many common diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease,thyroid disease, infertility, and diabetes. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Even in small amounts, it can help boost your intake of minerals like iodine, manganese, folate, magnesium and calcium to help you meet your nutrient needs. Heavy Metal Detox. Based on these reports, we recommend avoidance of hijiki as a sea vegetable unless available in the form of certified organic hijiki. Here are 8 surprising health benefits of wakame seaweed. Heavy Metals. Among all types of sea vegetable, however, hijiki stands out as being particularly high-risk when it comes to arsenic exposure. While current research is limited to animal studies, some studies have found that wakame may lower cholesterol levels and help improve heart health. This heavy metal is used in batteries, paints, plastics, electroplating etc. I'm a big fan of eating sea vegetables that are popular in Japan - Kombu, Wakame, Nori, Hijiki, etc. It is one of the healthiest and most nutritious foods on the…, Seaweed is highly nutritious and an increasingly popular ingredient in cuisines all over the world. If you've ever wanted to know the heavy metals content of seaweed snacks and sea vegetables sold by companies like Trader Joe's, Eden Foods, Kirkland and Maine Coast, results are now available showing concentrations of lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, copper and even zinc (a nutritive mineral). However, if a person chooses to eat seaweeds deliciously - without removing t… see more I've purchased many different brands of wakame, including this product, and absolutely none of them have any cancer warning label on them. In addition to bringing a unique taste and texture to soups and salads, wakame is low in calories but high in several nutrients that are essential to health. We continue to include sea vegetables among the World's Healthiest Foods because of their incredibly rich mineral content and other unique health benefits and because the toxicity risks described above can be prevented through the purchase of certified organic sea vegetables! Regarding the metal content by zones, Asian algae have the highest concentrations of Al, Cd and Pb while the algae from Europe have the highest Hg content. Sea vegetables have been a topic of ongoing debate and research concerning their potential to be contaminated by heavy metals found in the waters in which they grow. 2. Marine algae could absorb minerals from the water which makes it high in nutrients. It is highly nutritious. * Alaria (Alaria esculenta), also called winged kelp or “Wild Atlantic Wakame,” is a brown seaweed typically found at depths 10 to 30+ feet below the high tide line in the sub-tidal zone.Because it grows in exposed, cold, and turbulent waters, Alaria often sustains damage to the leafy part of the seaweed, adding character to our wild-harvested whole leaf product. In general, the toxic heavy metals in seaweeds are not high enough to cause any harm to our health. Wakame is low in calories but supplies a … However, even in this case of relatively small exposure, health risks appear possible. The consumption of 5 g per day of dehydrated Asian wakame algae would mean a Cd contribution percentage of … Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, How Kelp Can Actually Help You Lose Weight and Balance Your Hormones. Seaweed is a rich source of iron and iodine. A deficiency in this key micronutrient can contribute to hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid is unable to make enough thyroid hormone to support normal function. Symptoms of iodine deficiency can include weight gain, fatigue, hair loss and dry, flaky skin (3, 5). Full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, wakame, unsurprisingly, may … One study found that supplementing with wakame seaweed extract suppressed weight gain in mice on a high-fat diet (19). © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. In general, the toxic heavy metals in seaweeds are not high enough … Because of the toxic pollution filling up our oceans and water sources, these heavy metals are embedding themselves into ocean life. All rights reserved. Certain brands may contain high amounts of sodium, which can increase blood pressure in those who are sensitive to its effects (23). Unfortunately, some seaweeds exhibit a high affinity for heavy metals (Bryan and Hummerstone, 1973) and, indeed, they have been used as biomonitors for metal pollution in estuarine and coastal waters worldwide and to evaluate the quality of their surrounding environment (Chmielewská and Medved, 2001, Topcuoglu et al., 2001, Villares et al., 2005, Melville and Pulkownik, 2006). Heavy metals are very poisonous, like mercury, lead, arsenic, aluminum and cadmium. Because of these appearances, dried hijiki seaweed is physically distinct from other varieties of seaweed such as arame, kombu, wakame and nori. E den Wakame is low calorie, fat and cholesterol free, and a good source of magnesium. Let’s find out more now! Our reason for discussing information about these possible risks involves a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1993 to set an oral Reference Dose (RfD) level of .0003 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day for inorganic arsenic. For example, after preparation using water soaking, a British study found wakame to contain an average of 3 milligrams arsenic per kilogram of sea vegetable. Anyway, I tried this, because of the high rating. Kelp, a type of seaweed, is chock full of good-for-you nutrients that can benefit your health and possibly even prevent disease. Because most certified organic sea vegetables can be purchased in dried form and reconstituted at home, they can often be ordered from outside of your local area and shipped to you at a relatively low cost. However, in waters that have become polluted with heavy metal elements—including arsenic, lead, and cadmium—sea vegetables can also act like a sponge in absorbing these unwanted contaminants. Low in Calories and Rich in Nutrients. Eat Your Minerals ~ Sea vegetables should be enjoyed in small quantities because of their high concentration of iron and iodine as well as their tendency to absorb heavy metals from the water it grows in. It’s also high in iodine, packing in roughly 28% of the RDI per gram (2). * It can be used with other detoxification products such as Pectinate. Customers may wonder why we choose to test our Certified Organic sea vegetables for heavy metals, or why some of our products bear a "Proposition 65" warning about lead and cadmium. That means that even nutritious seaweed could have high levels of heavy metals. Iodine is an essential mineral that your body uses to produce thyroid hormones, which help support growth, metabolism, protein synthesis and cell repair (3). Plus, it offers a long list of potential benefits, including improved heart health and enhanced weight loss. The George Mateljan Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation with no commercial interests or. heavy metal contamination. If you’re looking to drop a few extra pounds, you may want to consider incorporating wakame into your diet. Thank you for the recipe and info. Wakame is enjoyed around the world for its soft texture and mild flavor. Heavy metal occurs naturally in the environment. Therefore, more research is necessary to determine how wakame may impact cancer cell formation in humans. By the way I order my seaweed by the pound from a source in Maine- online. The levels depend where the seaweed is harvested. It is classified as an unwanted species under the Biosecurity Act 1993, but there is growing interest in harvesting this seaweed for human consumption. You can also add the strips into soups for a burst of flavor and nutrients. It's important to note here that scientists continue to debate the health risks associated with inorganic (versus organic) forms of arsenic, and that the arsenic found in sea vegetables exists primarily in an inorganic form. Similarly, another animal study showed that dried wakame powder altered the expression of specific genes to help significantly decrease cholesterol levels after just 28 days (11). Some studies have also noticed that diet plans that regularly include seaweed may reduce body weight and waist circumference (21, 22). Mayo is a popular condiment for sandwiches and often used as a base for salad dressings and sauces. Among all types of sea vegetable, however, hijiki stands out as being particularly high-risk when it comes to arsenic exposure. High blood pressure is a condition that places extra strain on your heart and blood vessels, weakening your heart muscle and increasing your risk of heart disease (6). For example, one animal study showed that giving wakame seaweed to rats helped suppress the growth and spread of breast cancer cells (12). It is released to the atmospheric environment from metals production, fossil fuel combustion. Is It Safe to Eat Sushi While Breastfeeding? to consume about 20 micrograms of inorganic arsenic every day and stay beneath the RfD level. in such veggies. While a person might be unlikely to eat sea vegetables on a daily basis, you can see from this example how an arsenic-related health risk might be possible with routine consumption of an arsenic-containing sea vegetable. There are many seaweed manufacturers that pay for a third-party verification that tests for heavy metals, so be sure to do your research before consuming any seaweed product. Among all of the heavy metals, arsenic appears to be most problematic when it comes to sea vegetable toxicity risk. Seaweeds heavy metals test results published by Labs.NaturalNews.com Among all of the heavy metals, arsenic appears to be most problematic when it comes to sea vegetable toxicity risk. During the period 2000-2005, government-related agencies in England, New Zealand, and Canada issued public health recommendations advising against consumption of hijiki sea vegetable unless verified as containing very low levels of inorganic arsenic. One four-week study showed that supplementing with 48 grams of seaweed daily significantly decreased blood sugar levels in 20 people with diabetes (17). Since many people have warned against eating high amounts of fish due to heavy metal concentration,does the same apply to wakame and nori? One-third of people are at risk of iodine deficiency. In Nature, alginic acid protects these sea vegetables from bacteria and fungi. Another study in animals showed that wakame was able to prevent insulin resistance — a condition that impairs your body’s ability to use insulin efficiently for transporting sugar to your cells, causing high blood sugar (18). Yes, you read that right — 5 FOODS! But they aren't. pinnatifida (Wakame) Leo Hau A thesis submitted to the Auckland University of Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science (MAppSc) ... 4.2 Evaluation of possible heavy metals contaminations in New Zealand Undaria Cadmium is naturally present in the earth’s crust and oceans but can also be added to the soil through natural and anthropogenic activities such as irrigation waters, manure, and fertilizers derived from phosphate rock. Alternatively, serve wakame as a side dish topped with a bit of soy sauce or rice vinegar to complete your meal. Wakame products contain appreciable amounts of essential trace elements such as iodine, iron, copper, cobalt, selenium, nickel and zinc, similar to nori and kombu. It’s also highly versatile and can serve as an ingredient in a variety of dishes and recipes. The cool part, it can be done with 5 foods! They are one of the Unforgiving Four, which is a group of dangers we are exposed to that threaten our health and well-being. What’s more, another study found that wakame exhibited anti-obesity effects in rats and was able to reduce fat tissue (20). This proves that much of the rice being grown in China is grown in areas which are heavily contaminated by industrial pollution containing heavy metals. Rich in minerals, vitamins and trace elements. Cholesterol plays a role in many aspects of health, ranging from hormone production to fat digestion. Then, it is able to relieve intestinal inflammation and eliminate stomach acid. These types include arame, hijiki, kombu, nori, and wakame. This likely depends on the type of the seaweed, where it is harvested from, and the variation of toxin levels in the water. Seaweed absorbs essential minerals like a sponge. This ability makes sea vegetables a rich source of many wonderful minerals, including magnesium, calcium, iron, and iodine. They regularly test the seaweed for heavy metals and lead. The levels of arsenic found in other types of sea vegetable have been relatively small. Undaria pinnatifida, Wakame is a popular edible seaweed in its native Asia and was first recorded in New Zealand in Wellington Harbor in 1987. These types of metals (such as mercury and lead) are toxic for our bodies and can cause disease, illness, and even death. Still, iodine deficiency is incredibly common, with some reports estimating that about two billion people worldwide are affected (4). China is the biggest producer of edible seaweeds in the world. Just two tablespoons (10 grams) of raw wakame seaweed offers (1, 2): Each serving of wakame also contains vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as iron, copper and phosphorus. But depending on where they are grown, they may also soak up environmental toxins and heavy … It's good for your heart. Wakame grown near New Zealand has almost zery heavy metals, while Wakame … In fact, wakame contains approximately 42 mcg of iodine per gram, which is about 28% of the RDI (2). So, it makes perfect sense that seaweed also have the ability to accumulate heavy metals from the ocean. For instance, one ten-week study showed that administering substances extracted from wakame to rats significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (the top number of a blood pressure reading) (7). The polysaccharide, alginic acid, found in brown sea vegetables such as kombu, arame, hiziki and wakame, has been found to bind with heavy metals found in the intestines, rendering them indigestible, and causes them to be eliminated from the body. In practical terms, this amount represents about 43 micrograms per half ounce of wakame. Frequently found in dried form, wakame is typically soaked in water for about ten minutes before consumption to help it soften and remove excess salt. Virtually all types of sea vegetables have been determined to contain traces of arsenic. This article reviews whether mayo is safe when…. Still, current research on the effects of wakame on blood sugar is limited. It's also a staple of the Japanese diet, a hormone helper, and is easy to add to…. Undaria pinnatifida, Wakame is a popular edible seaweed in its native Asia and was first recorded in New Zealand in Wellington Harbor in 1987. If heavy metals were "naturally occurring" in all rice, then levels would be the same no matter where rice is grown. Wakame Nutritional Info However, more human studies are needed to evaluate how wakame may affect blood pressure among the general population. Some of the ingredients in sushi are very healthy, but not others. It can be eaten as it is, added to salads, or cooked in soups and stews.