Seaweed. You see it whenever you go to the beach, right? And you know it’s a staple of many cuisines – especially certain Asian cuisines like Japanese and Korean.
But there’s a special type of seaweed that’s been garnering attention lately because of its powerful ability to bind to dangerous lectins.1
It’s called bladderwrack.
I know … bladderwrack does NOT sound appetizing – not in the least. But, bladderwrack can actually do a lot of good. In fact, some recent studies also suggest bladderwrack has antifungal properties.2
The latest buzz about bladderwrack boasts some seriously impressive health benefits, like its potential to help –
- Maintain healthy body weight
- Support your thyroid
- Boost your metabolism
- Maintain bone health
- Support your circulatory system
- Defend your skin
- Prevent premature aging
- Boost your heart health
But, can all this buzz be for real?
Turns out, bladderwrack is actually one of the most common types of seaweed found in the deep blue sea. This specific type of kelp – also known as Fucus vesiculosus – can be spotted in the sheltered coastal inlets of Europe, the British Isles, and even the Atlantic Coast of North America. And depending on where you’re spotting it, it could also be called red fucus, rockweed, or black tang.
Now, bladderwrack has been sought out as a source of iodine for centuries. But it’s full of other helpful substances too. You can find potassium, beta-carotene, iodine, and quite a few other beneficial compounds in this helpful marine veggie!
Health Benefits
The antioxidant properties are pretty significant.3 So, it could be worth looking into bladderwrack as a way to help manage issues associated with free radical damage. This may include things like premature aging, skin irritation, and even joint discomfort.
Also, it turns out this certain seaweed can also help your heart. The polyphenols have also been associated with reduced risk of various heart health issues.4 So, bladderwrack can potentially help manage your blood pressure – which in turn, could help reduce the chance of cardiac issues …
But that’s not all bladderwrack can help with. It’s also a …
Great Source of Dietary Fiber
Seriously, the fiber content in bladderwrack is significant.5 And I’m sure you know a high fiber diet could help relieve constipation and add bulk to stool, making the digestive process easier on your gut and ensuring better nutrient absorption. Speaking of that most taboo subject, learn what dark green poop means if you dare.
Supports Eye Health
Finally, bladderwrack is chock-full of beta-carotene – which is thought to be an incredible vitamin for supporting eye health. Like other antioxidants, beta-carotene defends your body against free radical damage. But the cool thing about beta-carotene is that it targets neutralizing free radical damage specific to your eyes.6
Don’t you think it’s worth a try?
Now, before I send you on your way, I’ll caution you to double check with your doctor before you start taking bladderwrack – like you would with any new supplement. Some folks might have allergic reactions to the iodine in bladderwrack. So, even if your doc signs off on it for you, start with a small amount.
The Takeaway
In the end, bladderwrack can do some real good for your health. You can find bladderwrack in Lectin Shield or other supplements. Or, if you’d like to cook with it, it’s easy to find at your local natural food store or online.
Read more:
Healthy Substitutions for Your Favorite Lectin-Rich Foods
Sources:
1.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S076926098380074X
2.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S076926098380074X
3.http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf010908o
4.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3651847/
5.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18951280
6.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3021198/
