Seaweed May Aid Gut Health, But Its Iodine Can Run High
Dried nori can pack up to 47% protein by weight, but servings are small and some seaweed types are high in iodine.
Seaweed contains polysaccharides that may support gut health by feeding beneficial microbes in the digestive system. Those compounds are then fermented into short-chain fatty acids that provide energy and help repair cells lining the intestine, dietitian Shelly Wegman of University of North Carolina Rex Hospital told Channel News Asia. Seaweed also contains nine essential amino acids, iron and vitamin B12. Some scientists note dried nori can contain up to 47% protein per gram, although portions are usually small. Toronto Metropolitan University professor Yvonne Yuan warned that eating seaweed may not meet the protein needed for a single meal. The same source also highlighted that iodine levels in some types of seaweed can be too high for the body.