The Health Benefits of Algae

The red and brown algae are rich in minerals and nutrients and could be used in some food supplements.

This is what emerges from a study published in The Journal Bio medicine and Preventive Nutrition that evaluated the nutritional profile of two seaweed: (red algae) and (brown algae).

"The results suggest that both algae has the important nutritional values ​​and could be used in some dietary supplements," said the research team, who worked on the study.


The experiment has shown that the algae is rich in fibers (13,45 mg per gram of dry weight), carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, proline, chlorophyll and also large amounts of vitamin C (about 5 mg per gram of dry weight). The red algae also has a high content of potassium.

In both algae we have been found important fatty acids, including linolenic acid and essential amino acids,including valine, methionine, lysine and phenylalanine.
Using algae

But how to use the algae? The brown seaweed is an ingredient commonly used in soups in Japan, where it is also used, together with other ingredients, to create the soy sauce. The red algae instead is an important source of agar, a hydrophilic colloid used as a gelling agent. Waiting for new types of supplements to your choice and creativity on how to integrate them in your own kitchen.