Nutrition

Kelp Health Benefits, Nutritional Value and Uses

Source : livestrong

Most people mistake Kelp for seaweed. However, more precisely, Kelps are an entire collection of brown algae found in the ocean. Most of us know that Algae have amazing health benefits with their umami flavors.

One of the most popular states in which Kelps come in is Kelp powder. Many use them as dietary supplements. These plants are packed with nutrients that provide a wide spectrum of health benefits. The following indicate the nutritional profile and potential benefits of this algae.

Nutritional Value of Kelp

Kelp has high Proteins, Carbohydrates, and other nutrients that help your body maintain the best outcomes! 100 grams serving of dried Kelp has the following nutritional values:

  • Calories: 43
  • Protein: 2.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 7.3g
  • Fiber: 3.7g
  • Fat: 0.3g
  • Vitamin A: 13% DV (Daily Value)
  • Vitamin C: 17% DV
  • Calcium: 8% DV
  • Iron: 4% DV
  • Magnesium: 12% DV
  • Potassium: 8% DV

Carbs in Kelp: Kelp is excellent in improving Gut health and digestion as it consists of dietary fibers, which are mainly sourced from the Carbs it contains. 7.3 grams of Carbs are found in 100 grams of Kelp making it ideal for energy production.

Protein in Kelp: Every 100 gms has 2.5 gms of protein. Amino acids, which are important vitamins, are also present. The protein present in it facilitates your general health.

Health Benefits of Kelp

The health benefits of vitamins and nutrients are many. For example, the vitamin K and calcium in kelp help in bone health, while the folate naturally present in kelp is crucial for the process of cell division.

Among many health benefits of Kelp, there are 18 mentioned as follows:

1. Boosts your Immunity

Source : freepik

Kelp is an anti-viral amino acid antioxidant level that is capable of fighting oxidative stress. Antioxidant vitamins C and E play a role by freeing radicals and easing the inflammation inside your body.

This helps the immune system to fight against many infections and diseases.

2. Helps in Thyroid Function

To keep thyroid health under control using proper metabolic, energy, and hormonal balance all you have to maintain is your thyroid function properly. Apart from the frequently recommended iodine supplement, Kelp is often used to do the same, as it takes care of the thyroid balance and checks for symptoms of low thyroid hormones.

If you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, iodine from Kelp can help you to potentially bring back normal levels of iodine in this gland. Consuming Kelp is a great way to make your thyroid healthy, and it can also help in enhancements of thyroid functioning, mood swings, and the body as a whole.

3. Nutritional Superfood

Kelp is sometimes considered a superfood as it contains vitamins, minerals, and elements that your body is unable to get enough of. From the right dose of iodine which is responsible for your thyroid function as much iron which carries oxygen to red blood cells, kelp is a top store of nutrients we need for our life.

Kelp is rich in calcium, magnesium, and a very, very wide variety of other nutrients that are necessary for a whole body's good shape and health level as well, so, kelp is a superfood that can lift your health and life to better levels.

Make Kelp a part of your diet and watch the amazing improvement it has on your nutrient-full body.

4. Energizing Benefits

Source : pinterest

Kelp is an excellent iodine source without which we would not have been able to sustain the thyroid hormones necessary for the regular activity of the gland.

The thyroid thus regulates enhancing your metabolism and also contributes to energy production. Regular consumption of kelp is a smart way that you can be sure your thyroid gland is working at its best, and also feel a burst of energy and relaxation. 

The rest of your system can also get an oxygenic cleansing with the help of kelp. Thus, the heart rate and other functions are increased bringing a new type of energy that will lead to a healthy body. 

5. Aids in Weight Management

Kelp helps make the metabolism game work faster and makes you feel fuller which is the main reason to lose weight. This is accomplished by its fiber-rich content that enables one to stay full for more extended periods, thereby, you are not easily tempted to take in more calories.

In addition to supporting the body’s ability to convert food into energy, the iodine content in kelp is also a part of the thyroid system. Essentially, one of the mechanisms that kelp assists in burning more fat, is boosting the fat-burning process that initially comes from the reduction of carbohydrates in the body in the case of calories.

6. Helps in Osteoporosis Prevention

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The high calcium of Kelp helps in maintaining bone health and promotes the support of osteoporosis and the prevention of bone loss disorders.

Calcium in Kelp along with other minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus, strengthen the bone structure and density. Thus these minerals aid in the enhancement of bone strength, prevent even the risk of fractures, and support the overall bone health too.

Additionally, Kelp helps to enhance the absorption and retention of vitamin D, which plays a vital part in maintaining good bone health. Kelp acts as an alternative source for the production of vitamins, thereby enabling to maintenance health of the bones and the entire body in general.

Therefore, by including kelp in your diet, you are providing an alternative way to improve your bone health and avoid the potential of bone-related diseases.

7. May Prevent Cancer

Consumption of Kelp not only promotes skeletal health but also has strong anti-cancer properties due to the presence of antioxidants. The plant's phenols, having a primary role in blocking free radicals in the body thus preventing oxidative stress and the risk of developing cancer have been identified to be associated with kelp.

Furthermore, some studies were done on rats, and in these kelps, certain eligible substances were seen. They showed the following characteristics as they stimulated the increased differentiation of cells and the decreased growth of cancer cells, which are two important factors in the cure and prevention of any disease.

Having said so, kelp, therefore, can be a safe and natural way to lower the risk of cancer. 

8. Aids Heart Health

Your heart is the motor that gives you life, and Kelp helps keep it running right. The omega-3 fatty acids and other cardiovascular-friendly properties found in kelp have been shown to reduce cholesterol and inflammation and provide great cardiac benefits.

However, there has not been a factful conclusion in a complete understanding of its implications while taking too much of it can result in iodine poisoning.

9. Improved Skin

Source : pinterest

Although Kelp is beneficial for your health, it also can improve the skin's radiance. Its high amount of antioxidants eliminates free radicals preventing the aging process and it is known for keeping the skin moisturized.

This approach enables the appearance of fine, glowing skin, promoting hydration in the skin. You have to use Kelp as a part of the implements in your daily diet if you want to experience a kind of healthy skin that makes you look radiant naturally. 

10. Helps with Mental Clarity

Research has shown that Kelp also helps with your Mental health alongside your general health. It contains a decent amount of iodine which is very important for the progress of the brain to increase memory, mood, and focus. 

Furthermore, this will allow you to make clear decisions, so you can function with ease. Including kelp in your diet will contribute to the improvement of mental health and allow for clearer thinking and better well-being as a whole. 

11. Detoxification

Detoxification is a vital feature of the overall health of individuals, and kelp helps in doing so. It has the necessary vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and promotes detoxification of the body tissue and cell protection.

Toxin removal and proper health maintenance result from consuming Kelp if it is combined with low-sodium diets and daily exercise. By doing so, you can minimize the danger of getting chronic diseases and improve the long-term health of the body.

12. Anti-inflammatory Properties

Even though inflammation is the natural defense process of the human body to external infections, continuous or chronic inflammation can lead to other further complications like arthritis or cardiovascular illness. Eating Kelp regularly can help to alleviate inflammation, which is an obstacle to the good functioning of your body.

13. Promotes Digestion

Source : cleangreensimple

A healthy gut is very important to maintain good health and kelp, a nutrients-packed food, is here to strengthen your digestion. One way to help your gut is by including kelp in your diet as it can lead to more good microbiomes and thus a healthy gut.

The addition of Kelp will be the catalyst that will help your body produce gut bacteria to make your digestion more normal and aid in smooth gut health.

14. Wound Healing Properties

Besides having anti-inflammatory properties in Kelp plants, they consist other properties, which can be vital for the structure and metabolism of tissues. 

Studies that were done determined that kelp can work for wound repair by causing the collagen production process to be initiated leading to the formation of cells which help to produce additional strengthening of the tissue in this case cutting inflammation, and also providing blood flow increase to different parts of the body.

Did you know that Kelp also functions as a natural antiseptic, which prevents infections? 

15. Supports Reproductive Health

Source : pinterest

The nutritional listings of kelp, which contains a large amount of iodine, encourage the health of the reproductive organs and fertility in people, both men and women.

A few scientific investigations indicate that it may help in the regulation of estrogen levels and the anti-inflammatory characteristics may assist in maintaining reproductive organs’ health. When it comes to kelp and nutrition, it is one of the effective lifestyle approaches.

Kelp is considered to be an aid during pregnancy as it contains a decent amount of iodine in it. 

16. Anti- Aging Benefits

Kelp is loaded with high levels of antioxidants that protect the body against oxidative stress and damage incurred by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with the potential to become unstable, which can lead to cellular aging.

The occurrence of illnesses such as cancers, heart issues, and diabetes can be prevented by consuming Kelp. Antioxidants act to combine with free radicals by giving an electron which reduces reactivity and hence hinders the process of chain reaction that leads to cell damage.

Hence, the addition of kelp to a diet not only will help to accelerate the slow process of aging but also will help to prevent chronic diseases that are in the majority of cases age-related.

17. Improved Respiratory Health

Asthma and Bronchitis are some of the respiratory diseases that tend to be chronic for the human body. Kelp, if included in your regular diet and taken in moderation, helps to prevent such respiratory issues.

Kelp’s astringents and anti-inflammatory agents support the treatment of the fluid airway, thus freeing respiratory systems. Kelp, on a cellular level, calms the inflammatory response and helps to get rid of the body of problematic pathogens, and thereby, through increased pulmonary function, enhances the overall health of the lungs.  

18. Enhanced Athletic Performance

Source : pinterest

Kelp might just be the secret to the exertion of your muscles and faster recovery, no matter whether you are a professional athlete or a gym rat. Kelp is a rich source of nutrients, such as minerals like iodine and iron, which is a bonus in the process of generating the building materials the body needs to excel, developing your endocrine system, and restoring the broken tissues. 

Go on with your active life by consuming the very wholesome and energetic kelp, and you will surely experience a change in your sports performance and your general health too. 

Uses of Kelp

As mentioned above, Kelp is a nutrition-dense superfood that can be used for different purposes like in a Vegan diet to even in your toothpaste.  The versatility and capacity of this sea plant have triggered advancements and studies in diverse areas from alternative energy to drugs.

The following points focus on 10 main sectors where kelp is crucial, showing the wide spectrum of its usage: 

1. Food Industries

 Different gastronomy fields, especially those from Asia, have significant use of kelp. Apart from that, kelp is also added to sushi, salads, and soups as a source of flavor or nutritional requirements.

2. Cosmetics

The pimple-preventing mask that you use on your face is most probably made with Kelp extracts as it is a very important ingredient in skincare having a high content of minerals and antioxidants. Some hair care items contain kelp for its ability to nourish.

3. Agriculture

Farmers utilize kelp in the form of an organic manure and soil regulator. It is rich in mineral elements and hormones that can enrich the soil texture and stimulate plant growth.

On crop fields, kelp meal or aqueous extracts are utilized as fertilizer to boost production, enhance resistance to insects, and improve the general health condition of plants.

4. Pharmaceutical 

In a few pharmaceuticals as well as dietary supplements, it has been utilized. Research works have shown its capacity to fight against inflammation, and cancer and control thyroid function. Certain pharmaceutical preparations utilize kelp-alginate as a binder too.

5. Textiles

Sometimes kelp derivatives are used in fabric treatments for textiles. Kelp alginates can be put into fabrics. A few natural colors are also obtained from such plants.