Wakame seaweed: The surprising superfood for health and vitality
Someone places a green, slimy mass onto your plate, and you think, "What sort of seaweed farce is this? Throw it out immediately!" Of course, why would you eat that green substance that looks like it came straight from the bottom of some murky water reservoir? Well… wrong! Because seaweed is not only edible but also healthy.
Wakame seaweed is not merely a tasty addition from Asia but a genuine health booster that can energise a sluggish thyroid, aid weight loss, and even improve your overall wellbeing. Sounds like a fairy tale? Then read on since I'll explain why seaweed should be on your menu and how it will positively impact your everyday life.
Wakame seaweed - Asian superfood that will surprise you
Wakame seaweed is a type of brown algae that grows in the ocean waters of Asia, but now it's appearing on European plates and in diets. It has an olive colour, a slightly sweet taste, and is healthier than specific pharmacy vitamins. Why? Because it's a genuine cocktail of vitamins A, C, E, K, and many B vitamins, plus a wealth of minerals: iodine (a crucial component for the thyroid), iron, calcium, and manganese.
Additionally, you'll find antioxidants that combat free radicals, thereby delaying the ageing process, and DHA and EPA fatty acids, for which your heart will be grateful.
Moreover, wakame is light and low-calorie (around 85 kJ per 100g). Thanks to fucoxanthin (a natural carotenoid pigment), it helps prevent fat accumulation and aids in weight loss. So, seaweed might become your ally if you dream of shedding a few pounds without exhausting yourself at the gym.
How to eat seaweed? What to add seaweed to?
I know, it sounds like a "green mush" from a kitchen nightmare, but wakame seaweed is so versatile that you'll soon start wondering how you ever disliked it. Traditional Japanese, Chinese, or Korean cuisine has used it in soups (like the much-loved ramen or miso), salads, and even sandwiches for years.
Want to prepare it? It's simple: soak it in water to let it expand, then add it to a soup or mix with vegetables and soy sauce. The result? A slightly sweet, oceanic taste that is subtle enough that even the pickiest eater will accept this greenery. After a few minutes in water, it becomes pleasantly firm and crunchy.
Furthermore, wakame seaweed is popular in vegan and vegetarian diets because it provides vitamins and valuable iodine, which can sometimes be lacking in plant-based diets. And let's not forget cosmetics with algae! Wakame masks and creams make the skin smoother and combat cellulite and ageing. Thanks to this, you get a double benefit—health from the inside and beauty on the outside.
Why should you eat wakame seaweed every day?
Still think seaweed is unpleasant? Then read on. These brown wonders improve metabolism, support your heart, regulate blood pressure, strengthen bones, and act as anti-cancer agents.
Fucoxanthin, the pigment responsible for their colour, is a natural fat burner—it helps break down fat cells and prevent the formation of new ones. Additionally, regular consumption of wakame protects against osteoporosis and improves thyroid function, a small gland that determines whether your metabolism operates at the right pace (meaning, it's not too slow).
