Sea vegetables are incredibly healthy for us. They’re full of nutrients and have a rich history in medicine and cooking.

Algae such as kelp, nori, and wakami have been used for thousands of years in Asian cooking. Medically, seaweed has been used in China for centuries to treat a host of problems, including swelling, cysts, and enlarged thyroid glands. Today, there are several algae and seaweed supplements on the market to meet the demand within the health community.

There are 10,000+ different kinds of seaweed and about 1,500 different species of brown algae or kelp on our planet.

One of the most popular types of edible brown algae is Kombu, which is also referred to as the “King of Seaweed.” It’s high in dietary fiber, calcium, iodine, and iron.  Kombu is also used in Japanese cuisine to make dashi soup.  It is also used to make kombucha, a fermented drink. Try to make your own kombucha with this recipe and in-depth explanation of how to make the drink from the start to finish.

Nori is a popular sea vegetable, since it is used to make sushi rolls, like California Rolls. This dark purple to green-colored vegetable is packed with iodine and vitamin C. It can be eaten toasted or untoasted. It’s considered a variety of red algae, which is beneficial to our health. Red algae can help promote healthy circulation, regulate blood sugar levels, and lower bad cholesterol levels since it is high in dietary fiber. It is also rich in calcium and magnesium and packed with antioxidants. If you want to try your hand at making sushi, try this recipe for how to make a nori roll and how to make vegan California sushi.

Kelp is a type of seaweed that is commonly eaten in Asian countries. It’s considered a superfood since it contains many vitamins, especially B vitamins, which are essential for cellular metabolism and providing your body with energy. It also contains vitamins C and E, which promote blood vessel health. Seaweed is a rich source of iodine as well. To get more of this sea vegetable in your diet, try whipping up some kelp noodles in peanut-miso sauce. The simple recipe calls for kelp noodles, vegetables of your choice, coconut oil, and ingredients for the sauce. Another basic way to get your sea vegetables is with an easy seaweed salad.

Eating nutrient-rich sea vegetables like kelp and nori is a great addition to a healthy, plant-based diet. Some claim that they can help regenerate the body, regulate body weight, and prevent some degenerative diseases such as tuberculosis, fibromyalgia, cancer, asthma, and diabetes.

Image source: How to Make a Nori Roll