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From nori to kelp to spirulina, sea vegetables are having a moment. There’s a good reason for this. These greens are packed with nutrients, anti-oxidants, protein, and flavor. A staple of Japanese cuisine for centuries, sea vegetables are just now finding their place in the Western kitchen.
From iodine to calcium and more
Sea vegetables are technically not vegetables, according to mindbodygreen. They’re not even plants. Sea vegetables are edible marine algae, a huge subset of species that ranges from the multicellular to the unicellular. There are even a number of sea vegetables that are some of the most primitive life forms on earth. These types of life forms can absorb nutrients and water directly into their tissues.
And what nutrients do they absorb?. According to a Canadian School of Natural Nutrition blog, seaweed, one of the most common forms of sea vegetables contains: fiber, vitamin A, B12, C, E, K, & folate, as well as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iodine and tyrosine, zinc, protein, and omega-3 fats.
All of these vitamins and minerals are vital for a healthy life. Iodine, for instance, is required for your thyroid to produce hormones, while potassium is good for your heart, and fiber is neccesary for a rich and diverse gut microbiome.
Common edible sea vegetables
There are many types of edible sea vegetables, according to mindbodygreen. The one that is likely most familiar to Western foodies is nori.
Nori, also called red algae, is typically used in sushi, as a garnish or a wrap.
Wakame, a brown colored seaweed, is also often used in sushi, soup, and salads.
Kelp is another type of seaweed that is common, though you will likely not encounter it on its own. It is used in products like toothpaste and shampoo and can be found in supplement or powdered form. Kelp contains a huge amount of calcium and other vital nutrients.
Kombu is a type of seaweed that is often used to make stock in Japanese cuisine. It has an enzyme in it that makes beans and other gas-producing foods more easily digestible.
Dulse looks like red, leafy lettuce. Unlike lettuce, however, it is not eaten raw, but rather dried and sold either ground up or whole
Spirulina, a type of single-celled algae, is considered one of the most nutrient-rich foods on the planet. Sold in powder form, spirulina can be added to things like smoothies for a nutrient boost.
So the next time you sit down to make a grocery list, make sure to include some sea vegetables to bulk up on vital nutrients, vitamins, and salty, sea-tasting deliciousness.
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