About this ingredient
Ingredients
Seaweed refers to edible marine algae, including brown, red, and green seaweeds. Depending on the species and preparation, seaweed can provide iodine, minerals, dietary fiber, polysaccharides, proteins, carotenoids, polyphenols, and other plant-like marine compounds. The nutritional composition varies considerably according to species, growing environment, harvesting conditions, and processing.
Seaweed is a broad term for marine algae used as food, nutritional ingredients, extracts, and dietary supplements. Common groups include brown algae, red algae, and green algae, with different species providing different nutritional and bioactive profiles.
Seaweeds naturally contain a variety of minerals, iodine, dietary fiber, polysaccharides, proteins, pigments, polyphenols, and other compounds. Iodine is particularly notable because many seaweed species can accumulate substantial amounts of it from seawater.
Different types of seaweed can have very different compositions. Brown seaweeds such as kelp are often particularly rich in iodine, while red and green seaweeds may have different mineral and phytochemical profiles. Processing can also influence the final nutritional composition.
Seaweed ingredients may be supplied as whole dried seaweed, powders, capsules, tablets, extracts, or functional-food ingredients. They are commonly used in nutritional formulas focused on minerals, iodine, marine botanicals, dietary fiber, and general wellness.
Because iodine levels can vary dramatically between seaweed products, consumers should check the product label for the seaweed species, amount per serving, iodine content where provided, processing information, and additional ingredients. Excessive iodine intake can adversely affect thyroid function.