The Wakame seaweed It is originally from Japan, where it has been used since ancient times for various purposes, both nutritional and healing. From Japan it went to China and Korea both for its healing properties and for being a nutritious and revitalizing food.WAFFLE MARKETING SL_135-Rabr2020
Japan and Korea are the countries where Wakame Seaweed is consumed the most, followed by China and, more recently, by France. Its use has spread to Europe and the United States, so it is currently available almost everywhere in the world.
In Japan it is known as Alga Wakame, in China as Qun dai cai, while in France they say Fougere des mers and on the Atlantic Coast, Undaria.
Contents
Wakame seaweed
Wakame Seaweed is a sea vegetable, abundant in nutrients, among which iron and calcium stand out.
The largest crops of Wakame Seaweed are in Japan and Korea, followed by those in Australia, France and England. This alga is composed of a body or thallus, with wide and lobed leaves, which can measure up to two meters, are thin and have a nerve in the center.
It is an alga that is born in the sea, in deep waters, adhering to the surface through its roots or rhizoids, which allow it to absorb nutrients.
For centuries, the Chinese have used it to purify the blood, improve hair and skin, and strengthen the reproductive system. Similarly, this seaweed is an indispensable part of traditional Japanese and Korean dishes, such as miso soup and mieok soup.
Properties of Wakame Alga
- High content of calcium, iron, magnesium and iodine.
- Rich in essential amino acids, trace elements and vitamins.
- Contains B vitamins and folic acid.
- Provides few calories, provides 160 Kcal for every 100 grams consumed.
- Its natural pigments give it anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective and metabolism accelerator properties.
In conclusion, using Wakame in your diet will give you the necessary minerals and vitamins for a healthy diet.
This alga is considered by the Spanish Nutrition Foundation as a balanced food, due to all its nutritional properties and its low calorie content.
Benefits of Wakame Seaweed for your health
After extolling all the properties of Wakame Seaweed as a superfood, let’s see what the benefits are for your health:
Vitamins
With a great supply of vitamins, these algae help:
- For cells to transform carbohydrates into energy, through the vitamin B1 or thiamine.
- To the growth, development and functioning of cells, through the action of riboflavin or vitamin B2, which is also essential for the cornea.
- To the cellular metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, through the vitamin B3 or niacin.
- To the maturation of structural proteins and hemoglobin and thus prevent birth defects, by the action of folic acid or vitamin B9.
- To nourish the cells that allow vision, contributing to growth, cell division, reproduction and immunity, through the vitamin A or retinol.
- To the growth and repair of tissues, while synthesizing collagen for the skin, tendons, joints and blood vessels, through the vitamin C.
In conclusion, the Wakame for its incredible vitamin contribution helps to regenerate cells, defending you from infections and protecting your central nervous system.
Minerals
The Wakame Seaweed stands out for the amount of absorbable calcium who owns, which is twelve times greater than dairy products, so it helps fight osteoporosis.
The magnesium it contains, contributes to a better absorption of calcium, promoting the cartilage and bone formation, for that reason, it is known as the algae that protects your bones.
As it is an important source of these two minerals, its consumption is recommended to athletes and menopausal women, in order to prevent osteoporosis.
This alga has
five times more iron than beef, transforming it into an excellent collaborator in the prevention of anemia. Likewise, you will find in this wonderful alga, a high proportion of potassium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, proteins, fibers and unsaturated fatty acids.
Due to its percentage of Mineral salts, collaborates in the balance of electrolytes after exercising, so it is recommended to eat it when you have a lot of physical activity. For his high iodine content, it is very important not to exceed its consumption, if you suffer from hyperthyroidism.
Antioxidant and purifying
The high levels of chlorophyll and xanthophyll, pigments that give it an intense green color, are purifying
Y antioxidants.
Allowing the cleaning of the blood, purifying the circulatory system, contributing to liver functions, counteracting free radicals, promoting cell regeneration and preventing the aging of tissues.
These high levels of antioxidants, together with their great contribution of vitamins, strengthen the immune system, helping to fight infections.
Slimming
For his low caloric intake, to what does not contain fat since it has a large amount of soluble fibers Helps reduce cholesterol and speeds up intestinal transit. Thanks to a viscous gum, present in the cell walls of brown algae such as Wakame, it produces a Feeling full.
Well, this gum absorbs ten to twenty times its weight in water, quickly calming hunger, so they recommend them in diets as slimming. This ability to decrease appetite next to high iodine content, help to speed up metabolism and consequently to burn fat.
For its content of potassium, favors the exit of excess water in the tissues, helping to combat fluid retention and therefore, the cellulitis.
Embellisher
The Alga Wakame collaborates with the elaboration of the elastin and the hyaluronic acid, those that give softness and elasticity to the skin. Because they are rich in vitamins and proteins, they help prevent hair loss.
All these characteristics together with its ability to combat cellulitis, make Wakame an indispensable component in facial and body creams, as well as in hair tonics.