From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, seawater is yin, cold, and cool, and the kelp growing in it has a strong cold resistance. Kelp is salty in nature and flavor, and long-term consumption can also warm and tonify kidney qi.
1. Detoxification and Weight Loss
Most vegetables rich in fiber have weight loss effects. Because rich fiber can promote bowel excretion and absorb free lipids. Kelp is rich in fiber and alkaline, which adds to its detoxification effect.
The metabolic rate represents a person's metabolic ability. When the metabolic rate is very low, less heat is supplied to the body, and the excess energy will be converted into fat and stored in the body. Eating kelp can enhance a person's metabolic rate, improve metabolic function, make one more energetic, and achieve a slimmer figure.
Kelp contains a large amount of dietary fiber, which can increase the satiety of obese people. Moreover, kelp has a very low fat content and few calories, making it a food for weight loss for the obese;
2. Hair Care
Kelp looks like the long hair of a beautiful woman. When it comes to foods for hair care, you may know many, such as black sesame that makes hair black, ginger that promotes hair growth, or walnuts that make hair shiny. But do you know who the all-around champion of food for hair care is? It is kelp. Nutrition experts believe that regular consumption of kelp can not only supplement the body's iodine but also has special effects on the growth, moisturizing, and luster of hair.
The iodine in kelp is extremely abundant. It is the main raw material for the synthesis of thyroxine in the body, and the luster of hair is formed by the action of thyroxine in the body;
3. Eliminate Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands
Modern research has found that kelp can assist in the treatment of hyperplasia of mammary glands. This is due to its high content of iodine, which can promote the luteinization of ovarian follicles, thereby reducing the level of estrogen in the body, adjusting endocrine disorders, and ultimately eliminating the hidden danger of hyperplasia of mammary glands, achieving the purpose of preventing it.
Kelp is a food with high health value, but it is often overlooked because it is too common. In fact, kelp is rich in various trace elements. Among all foods, kelp has the highest iodine content, with 300-700 milligrams of iodine per 100 grams of kelp. In ancient China, it was recorded that kelp (i.e., kombu) can soften and dissipate hard masses, promote blood circulation, and reduce tumors. Kelp has low calorie content, high gelatin and minerals, is easy to digest and absorb, has anti-aging effects, and there is no need to worry about gaining weight after eating it, making it an ideal health food for women.
4. Lowering Blood Pressure and Blood Lipids
Scientists have discovered that kelp is a treasure trove for humans to ingest calcium, iron, and iodine. In every 100 grams of kelp, the calcium content is as high as 1177 milligrams, the iron content is 150 milligrams, and the iodine content is 240 milligrams, so kelp has important health effects.
Kelp contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber, which can remove cholesterol attached to the blood vessel walls, regulate the gastrointestinal tract, and promote the excretion of cholesterol; Kelp starch sulfate is a polysaccharide substance with the function of lowering blood lipids; Kelp can reduce the absorption of radioactive elements in the intestines.
Kelp amino acid, potassium salt, and calcium elements can reduce the human body's absorption of cholesterol and lower blood pressure.
5. Phlegm Removal
The kelp people usually eat has the effect of removing "old phlegm." Kelp is salty in nature, cold in nature, and belongs to the liver and kidney meridians. It has the effects of resolving phlegm and softening hard masses, promoting urination and reducing edema. When used for the treatment of chronic bronchitis and asthma, it can be made into kelp syrup or cold-dressed kelp. Persistent consumption will eliminate the "old phlegm" and thus the cause of the disease, with excellent results.
6. Tumor Suppression.
Hot water extract has a significant cytotoxic effect on human KB cancer cells in vitro, a significant inhibitory effect on S180 tumors, and kelp is also rich in selenium, a cancer-fighting star, which has anti-cancer effects.
7. Anti-aging.
Kelp is rich in calcium and iodine, which helps in the synthesis of thyroxine. The combination of these two foods can not only beautify the skin but also delay aging.
8. Prevention of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases.
Kelp contains a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acid EPA, which can reduce the viscosity of blood and reduce vascular sclerosis. Therefore, eating kelp regularly can prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Reminder: Dietary Taboos for Kelp
1. Do not soak kelp for a long time
Kelp should not be soaked for a long time before eating. Generally, soaking for about 6 hours is sufficient. Soaking for too long will dissolve the nutrients in kelp, such as water-soluble vitamins and inorganic salts, into the water, reducing its nutritional value. If the soaked kelp is as soft as if it has been boiled and has no toughness, it has spoiled and should not be eaten. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, kelp is considered cold in nature, so it should be avoided by people with a weak spleen and stomach.
2. Don't treat kelp as a staple food
Do not use kelp as a staple food for a long time, as this will lead to excessive iodine intake, which can affect health. Moreover, kelp contains a certain amount of arsenic, and excessive intake of arsenic can cause poisoning. Therefore, before eating kelp, it should be rinsed with water to dissolve the arsenic.
3. Do not drink tea or eat fruits immediately after eating kelp
Do not drink tea (which contains tannic acid) or immediately eat astringent fruits (which contain plant acids) after eating kelp. Because kelp is rich in iron, both of these foods will hinder the absorption of iron in the body.
4. Special populations should be cautious when eating kelp
Patients with hyperthyroidism should not eat kelp because of its high iodine content, which can aggravate the condition; Pregnant and lactating women should not eat too much kelp. This is because the iodine in kelp can enter the fetus and infant's body through the blood circulation, causing thyroid dysfunction.