Seaweed Protein: Where Does it Come From and It’s Health Benefits

Seaweed is a type of algae that grows under the sea in the form of leaves and vegetable. It can be identified by its variety of colours ranging from the normal green and yellow to red and black and is one of the major sources of food for underwater animals. Much of the seaweed is known to be found in a variety of sizes, right from being miniscule to growing to be up to 213 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the ocean floor. Seaweed is primarily found along the shorelines of coastal countries such as Korea, China and Japan which is where it’s also consumed in large quantities. This food culture has been continuing in Asian countries for a long time, and seaweed is an integral part of diet.

Many researchers over time found that seaweed contains a significant amount of protein which can act as a pillar of great health. Also, the fact that it goes well with any kind of dish prepared be it sushi, salad, soups and smoothies, makes it a convenient yet healthy choice of ingredient.  Some of the most well known types of seaweed found are

• Kombu
• Kelp
• Nori
• Wakame
• Spirulina

Using Seaweed as an Alternative Source of Great Health

As established earlier, seaweed was found to contain protein but each variety of it contains different nutrients that can prove to be beneficial. Some its essential benefits are –

1. High nutritional value – Every variety of seaweed had different nutrients within it but it’s the easiest way to add important vitamins into one’s body without additional calories of any kind. Seaweed is also a good source of fibre, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and Iodine.
2. Enhanced Quantity of Anti-oxidants- The human body require antioxidants which keep the cells healthy.  The seaweed contains antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, and E along with other plant compounds such as flavonoids and carotenoids that help the in keeping away any damage from free radicals. These are mainly found in both brown algae as well as wakame. 
3. Could Help in Preventing Diabetes – The fact that seaweed contains fibre helps balance out the blood glucose and insulin levels. It also works on keeping inflammation away, and reducing high levels of fat. This can be a major contributor to the prevention of diabetes. 
4. May Play a Role in Obstructing the Risk of Cancer- Including seaweed in the diet can be beneficial in preventing certain types of cancer. Some studies state that it helps in reducing oestrogen level in women which can help prevent breast cancer. The wakame and kombu variants could also slow down the spread of cancerous cells.

The recognition of seaweed as a healthy alternative has led to people consuming it in large amounts. This has been one of the major factors responsible for the growth of the seaweed protein market. According to a recently published report by Research Dive, the global seaweed protein market is estimated to garner revenue of $11,92,255.9 million at a balanced CAGR of 13.5% from 2020-2027.

Influence of COVID-19 on the Global Seaweed Protein Market

The consumption of seaweed is primarily concentrated upon the South-Asian countries, with the western nations such as USA also following through. But, the pandemic had a significant effect on the manufacture, logistics, and culinary industry. The cultivation of seaweed in farms an expensive process, but the prices of seaweed started to fall immensely which affected these farms. Additionally, the supply chain was cut off which also led to further complications for the seaweed industry.

But, the dietary benefits of seaweed are plenty and they outweighed the loss that the industry faced during the lockdown which is expected to help the industry regain momentum in the market.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.