What are the benefits of eating kelp? The nutritional value, efficacy and function of kelp

Kelp, also known as kelp and Jiangbaicai. It is a kind of brown algae that grows on the rocks on the seabed. It is shaped like a ribbon, with wide-band leaves that gradually narrow at the tip. It is generally 2 to 4 meters long and 20 to 30 centimeters wide (the kelp that grows on the seabed is smaller, 1 to 2 meters long and 15 to 20 centimeters wide). The whole body of kelp is olive brown, and after drying it becomes dark brown and black brown, with white powder attached. It contains a large amount of iodine, which can be used to extract iodine, potassium, etc. Kelp is known as the "longevity vegetable", "sea vegetable", and "iodine champion". From the nutritional value point of view, it is a health and longevity food. Next, let's take a look at the relevant knowledge about kelp with the Knowledge Museum.

1. Nutritional content of kelp

Kelp is a vegetable with high nutritional value. Every 100 grams of dried kelp contains: 8.2 grams of crude protein, 0.1 grams of fat, 57 grams of sugar, 9.8 grams of crude fiber, 12.9 grams of inorganic salts, 2.25 grams of calcium, 0.15 grams of iron, 0.57 milligrams of carotene, 0.69 milligrams of thiamine (vitamin B1), 0.36 milligrams of riboflavin (vitamin B2), 16 milligrams of niacin, and can produce 262 kcal of calories. Compared with spinach and rapeseed, except for vitamin C, its crude protein, sugar, calcium and iron content are several times and dozens of times higher.

2. Nutritional value of kelp

Kelp is a kind of seaweed with a high iodine content, generally containing 3-5‰ iodine, and up to 7-10‰. The iodine and alginic acid extracted from it are widely used in medicine, food and chemical industry. Iodine is one of the essential elements for the human body. Iodine deficiency can cause goiter. Eating more kelp can prevent and treat this disease, prevent arteriosclerosis, and reduce the accumulation of cholesterol and fat. Eating too much kelp can induce iodine hyperthyroidism. Although iodine can inhibit the release of thyroid hormone, it cannot inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormone. Therefore, long-term use of iodine is not good for hyperthyroidism.

3. Medicinal value of kelp

Sodium alginate in kelp can prevent leukemia and osteomalacia; it also has a hemostatic effect on arterial bleeding, and oral administration can reduce the absorption of radioactive element strontium-90 in the intestine. Sodium alginate has a blood pressure lowering effect. Kelp starch has the effect of lowering blood lipids. In recent years, it has been found that an extract of kelp has anti-cancer effects. Kelp mannitol is effective in treating acute renal failure, cerebral edema, Japanese encephalitis, and acute glaucoma. People with spleen and stomach deficiency should eat less.

4. The efficacy and function of kelp

Kelp is extremely rich in iodine, which is the main raw material for synthesizing thyroid hormone in the body, and the luster of hair is formed by the action of thyroid hormone in the body. Therefore, eating kelp regularly can make your hair beautiful. Iodine can stimulate the pituitary gland, reduce the level of estrogen in women, restore the normal function of the ovaries, correct endocrine disorders, and eliminate the hidden dangers of breast hyperplasia. Kelp colloid can promote the excretion of radioactive substances in the body with feces, thereby reducing the accumulation of radioactive substances in the human body and reducing the incidence of radiation diseases. Kelp contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber, which can remove cholesterol attached to the blood vessel wall, regulate the stomach and intestines, and promote the excretion of cholesterol; the rich calcium contained can reduce the body's absorption of cholesterol and lower blood pressure. These three substances work synergistically, and their lipid-lowering effect is better.

5. Dietary taboos of kelp

①. Suitable for the crowd: Generally everyone can eat it; Applicable dosage: 15 to 20 grams each time. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take more than 20 grams a day.

② Kelp is cold in nature, so people with weak spleen and stomach should avoid eating it. Patients with hyperthyroidism should not eat kelp. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should not eat too much kelp, because the iodine in kelp can enter the fetus (infant) through blood circulation, causing thyroid dysfunction in the fetus (infant). Do not drink tea (tea contains tannic acid) or eat sour fruits (sour fruits contain plant acid) immediately after eating kelp. Because kelp is rich in iron, the above two foods will hinder the absorption of iron in the body.

6. Tips

Due to global water pollution, kelp may contain arsenic, a toxic substance, so it should be soaked in clean water for two to three hours before cooking, and the water should be changed once or twice in the middle. But do not soak it for too long, no more than 6 hours, to avoid excessive loss of water-soluble nutrients.