Seaweed Nutrition Facts

Boiled wakame

Seaweed is the richest source of natural iodine of all foods and is also high in vitamin B12, which makes it an excellent choice for vegans and vegetarians.

Iodine is an essential trace element that is essential for the normal growth and development. Around 60 percent of the iodine in the body is stored in the thyroid gland. Iodine plays a very important role in the normal functioning of the thyroid glands, which secretes thyroid hormones that control the basic metabolic rate of the body.

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin with a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. It is one of the eight B vitamins.

With its good levels of potassium, calcium and magnesium, eating seaweed can be a good way to add these important minerals to your diet, and as an added bonus it also contains protein and soluble fiber. Seaweed is rich in beta-carotene, and in China and Japan especially it has long been used in both food and natural medicine.

Some varieties of seaweeds are kombu, nori and wakame. Buy them dried and soak them just before use, unless of course you are adding them straight to your soup or stew.