Title: 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Seaweed
Headings: 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Seaweed
Nutrition
7 Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Seaweed
1. Contains Iodine and Tyrosine, Which Support Thyroid Function
2. Good Source of Vitamins and Minerals
3. Contains a Variety of Protective Antioxidants
4. Provides Fiber and Polysaccharides That Can Support Your Gut Health
5. May Help You Lose Weight by Delaying Hunger and Reducing Weight
6. May Reduce Heart Disease Risk
7. May Help Reduce Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes by Improving Blood Sugar Control
Possible Dangers of Seaweed
Excess Iodine
Heavy Metal Load
The Bottom Line

Content: 21% of the RDI
Seaweed also contains small amounts of vitamins A, C, E and K, along with folate, zinc, sodium, calcium and magnesium ( 10 ). While it may only contribute to a small percentage of some of the RDIs above, using it as a seasoning once or twice per week can be an easy way to add more nutrients to your diet. The protein present in some seaweeds, such as spirulina and chlorella, contain all of the essential amino acids. This means seaweed can help ensure you get the full range of amino acids ( 10, 11, 12 ). Seaweed can also be a good source of omega-3 fats and vitamin B12 ( 10, 13
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, 14
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). In fact, it appears that dried green and purple seaweed contain substantial amounts of vitamin B12. One study found 2.4 mcg or 100% of the RDI of vitamin B12 in only 4 grams of nori seaweed ( 14
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, 15
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). That said, there is an ongoing debate about whether your body can absorb and use the vitamin B12 from seaweed ( 16
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, 17
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, 18
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). Summary
Seaweed contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including iodine, iron, and calcium. Some types can even contain high amounts of vitamin B12.