When I was a kid, I was fascinated by kelp, my interest peaked primarily by Spongebob. Spongebob and Patrick venturing into underwater forests of kelp captivated me, and I often found myself lost in their beautiful blue-green splendor.
Kelps are large brown algae that inhabit cool, nutrient-rich waters close to the shore. Kelp grows in dense clusters, resembling forests on land and the forests provide habitat and food for a diverse array of species, from fish and snails to birds and marine mammals. In addition, kelp forests act as a buffer, protecting shorelands from storms and hurricanes and reducing coastal erosion. Kelp forests also serve as a valuable carbon sink, or natural environment that absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. The importance of their role as a carbon sink cannot be understated: by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, kelp forests act as a bulwark against climate change.
While I knew the numerous environmental benefits of kelp, I didn’t know the considerable health benefits the plant has to offer. Kelp sequesters the nutrients in its surrounding environment, including vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, such as copper, iron, and zinc. As a result, kelp has many nutritional benefits; the Vitamin K1 in kelp helps to prevent heart disease while Vitamin A helps in supporting eye health as well as promoting healthy growth and reproduction.
Also, the algae helps fight disease; kelp is rich in antioxidants, which neutralize disease causing free radicals. . According to studies conducted by healthline, kelp may help slow the spread of colon and breast cancers. While the data surrounding kelp’s role in cancer is inconclusive, it provides promising evidence that scientists may be able to use in the future.
There are many ways in which you can include the super-star algae into your diet, such as through blending it in your green smoothies or adding it to your salads.
Recipes with kelp
