Kelp is a superfood seaweed that is incredibly beneficial for health. Be it cancer or fighting obesity; Kelp benefits are a one-stop solution for all. This seaweed with its long history in treating multiple ailments is now gaining popularity around the world. Get some kelp today and see for yourself the magical properties of it.
What is Kelp?
Kelp is a variety of edible seaweed that is incredibly rich in nutrient density. It is a species of brown algae that thrives in shallow and nutrient-rich water. Kelp gets used as a thickening agent of soups, ice-creams, and salads. It can be eaten raw, powdered, cooked and in the form of supplementary capsules.
Kelp originated in the Pacific Coast. Alaska plays habitat to 3 different types of kelp that includes Macrocystis, and luetkeana. The seaweed is known for its powerful range of medicinal values. Kelp benefits health in innumerable ways.
What are the Different Types of Kelp?
There are ten distinct types of kelp.
- Laminaria
- Kelp Forest
- Giant Kelp
- Winged Kelp
- Feather Boa Kelp
- Kombu
- Alaria
- Oarweed
- Wakame
- Thongweed
Kelp Nutrition Facts
Organic kelp possesses a plethora of nutrients that include vitamins, enzymes, trace elements, and minerals. Kelp gets regarded as a brilliant superfood owing to its rich density of minerals. The seaweed is an incredible source of iodine that makes it highly essential for the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland.
Kelp contains significant levels of vitamins A, B-6, B-12, C, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, zinc, copper, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and iron.
Top 10 Powerful Health Benefits of Kelp
Kelp benefits health, beauty, and well being in a variety of ways. It can cure cancer, diabetes, obesity, and influenza. The intake of kelp aids in the enhancement of the health of the gastrointestinal system, cardiac system, respiratory system, renal and hepatic system. It protects the ocular region and caters to the need of iodine of the body.
Top 10 Ways in Which Kelp Benefits Health and Beauty
1. How Does Kelp Help to Combat Cancer?
The anti-carcinogenic compounds present in kelp aid in the natural treatment of malignant cancers and tumors. Consumption of kelp supplements helps with fighting against leukemia and colon cancer.
Kelp is known for its potent anti-cancerous, anti-viral and immuno-stimulant properties that help with the suppression of secretion of carcinogenic hormones. It also promotes apoptosis or death of cancer cells and prevents metastasis or spreading of cancerous cells.
2. How Does Kelp Help to Fight Against Iodine Deficiency?
Kelp is incredibly rich in iodine, an element, which is highly essential for the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland. Consumption of kelp plays a vital role in the myelination of the CNS.
It also helps in fighting against retardation of mental health and protects hypothyroidism. Iodine is highly beneficial for the health of women during the pregnancy and lactation phases. It is also essential for fetal health and development.
3. How Does Kelp Weight loss work to fight against obesity?
It has been revealed by medical research that the consumption of kelp can help with the shedding of excessive body weight. It helps in the reduction of accumulation of unhealthy body fats by promoting the rapid oxidation and metabolism of cellular fat. The addition of kelp to food makes you feel full. It suppresses the appetite, and hunger cravings, and helps to stay in shape.
4. How Does Organic Kelp Help in Digestion?
Kelp benefits the gastrointestinal system by helping in digestion and promoting regular bowel movement. Its mildly laxative nature helps in the natural treatment of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
Consumption of kelp supplements on a regular basis helps in the stimulation of the production of digestive acids and enzymes, aids in the specific absorption of different nutrients, facilitates the oxidation and assimilation of fats and keeps the colon healthy. Eating kelp can also fight against stomach disorders such as bloating, stomachache, loose motion, acid reflux, and more.
5. How Dried Kelp Benefits for the Natural Cure of Diabetes?
Consumption of dried kelp benefits the health of people with diabetes. Kelp contains fucoxanthin that is incredibly anti-diabetic. It aids in keeping the blood glucose level under control and helps in checking the sudden spikes and fluctuations in blood sugar level.
Kelp can considerably decrease the level of glucose in blood and can even help with diabetic neuropathy and other physiological problems associated with diabetes such as renal damage, hepatic malfunctioning, and more.
6. How can Dried Kelp Help for the Maintenance of Oral Health?
Organic kelp benefits dental health in several ways. Kelp extract is known for its potent anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. Consumption of kelp supplements helps in the enhancement of the working of the salivary gland and stimulates the secretion of saliva. Eating kelp makes the oral tissues stronger.
Kelp is rich in calcium and phosphorus that helps in increasing the strength and mineral density of teeth. Kelp produces sodium alginate that is used by dentists across the world for making teeth molds and dentures. Kelp also helps in keeping oral disorders at bay. It can cure gum boils and inflammation of gums and can protect the teeth against cavities, bacterial infection, and bleeding gum disease.
7. How Does Kelp Supplements Function for Detoxification?
Consumption of kelp helps in the cleansing and detoxification of blood and aids in the elimination of toxins from the body. The biochemical compound, sodium alginate, is a natural absorbent that facilitates the removal of contaminants and heavy toxins such as mercury and lead from the physiological system.
Kelp is rich in antioxidants that help in fighting against oxidative stress and aids in the destruction and elimination of toxic free radicals that inflict oxidative damage. The detoxification property of kelp also aids in the prevention of cell mutation and cataracts.
8. What are the Kelp Benefits for Hair?
Kelp benefits hair in innumerable ways. Consumption of kelp helps in the health, strength, and beauty of hair in the following ways.
Stimulation of the Growth of Hair
Kelp helps in strengthening the follicles and roots of the hair and assists in the growth of long and healthy hair.
Natural cure of Dandruff and Scalp Psoriasis
Kelp contains a vast array of nutrients and potent antioxidants that help to keep the scalp nourished and protected against oxidative damage.
Prevents the Oiliness of Hair
The consumption of kelp checks the over secretion of sebum, aids in unclogging of hair follicles and preclude the greasiness of hair.
9. How is Dried Kelp Helpful for the Maintenance of Cardiac Health?
Consumption of kelp helps in keeping the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in check. It helps in maintaining healthy blood flow, increases the circulation of blood, protects against the stiffening of arteries by the deposition of cholesterol. Eating kelp can prevent cardiac strokes, atherosclerosis, arterial ailments, and cardiac failure.
10. How Does Kelp Benefits Ocular Health?
Consumption of kelp helps in the maintenance of the health of eyes due to its content of the biochemical compound fucoxanthin. It protects the visual system against cataracts and prevents the affliction of the eyes with posterior capsule opacification.
DIY Kelp Recipes
Salad of Kelp
Ingredients
- Eight tablespoons of fresh or dried kelp
- Two tablespoons of chopped spring onion
- One teaspoon each of chopped coriander and chilies
- One teaspoon of sesame oil
- One teaspoon of powdered sugar
- One teaspoon of vinegar
- One teaspoon of soy sauce
- One tablespoon of sesame seeds
- Two cloves of garlic neatly chopped
Procedure
- Rinse the kelp in lukewarm water to eliminate the dust and impurities
- Chop the soaked kelp into fine shreds and keep them aside
- Pour a bowl of water into the wok and heat it
- Add the kelp shreds into the water and cook them for about 5-6 minutes
- Strain out the kelp and let it simmer down
- Refrigerate the cooked kelp
- Combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl
- Add the cooked kelp on top of the sauce
- Garnish the salad with chili peppers, coriander, and spring onion and serve
Kelp and Noodles Soup
Ingredients
- A bunch of dried or fresh kelp
- 4-5 carrots sliced
- 4-5 celery stalks sliced
- One onion diced
- 1 cup of water
- One teaspoon each of powdered black pepper and salt
- One bowl of boiled noodles
Procedure
- Add all the chicken, kelp, onion, celery and carrots in the pot
- Pour the water in the vessel in a way that all the contents in the bowl get covered
- Heat the contents until the chicken becomes soft and well cooked
- Add pepper, salt, and butter after the boiling
- Stir in the noodles after the soup gets done
- Serve it hot with bread or rice cakes
Kelp Side Effects
- Allergic reaction of the skin
- Interference with drugs and medications
- Skin rash and irritation of the skin
- Diarrhea and bloating
- Flatulence
Kelp vs. Seaweed
There are 300 species of kelp and 10000 species of seaweed. Kelp belongs to protist a whereas seaweed belongs to paraphyletic. Kelp secretes sodium alginate that gets used as a food thickener. Seaweed produces carrageenan which gets used in the making of toothpaste and paper.
Conclusion
Kelp is a superfood that is astonishingly beneficial for health and well-being. Consuming kelp regularly aids in the complete development of health and beauty of hair, skin and general physiology. Hence, reap the incredible kelp benefits today and give your body a natural detox.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is kelp a plant?
No, kelp doesn’t get considered as a plant.
2. Is kelp seaweed?
Kelp belongs to the family of seaweed.
3. Can kelp cause weight gain?
Kelp does not cause any gain in body weight. On the contrary, it aids in the loss of excess body weight.
