Kelp is known as the "longevity vegetable" and "vegetable from the sea." Judging from its nutritional value, it indeed has many nutrients that are worth consuming regularly. Today, let's take a detailed look at the benefits of eating kelp. Let's explore them together.
Kelp is high in dietary fiber, which can help eliminate toxins and keep the intestinal tract clear. At the same time, modern medicine has confirmed that kelp contains a compound called sodium alginate, which has a great adsorption effect on the highly carcinogenic chemical element strontium-90, helping the body to excrete it and prevent cancer. Additionally, the "white frost" on the surface of kelp is very beneficial to the human body and should be retained during washing. It is very good for removing toxins from the body, so eating more dishes made with kelp on hazy days is also a good choice.
Cold-dressed Kelp Shreds
Never wash off the white frost on kelp
Kelp is also rich in calcium, and adequate intake can help with blood clotting, maintain heart contractions, and strengthen bones and teeth. In addition, kelp also contains nutrients such as alginic acid, iodine, selenium, Omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary fiber, which are also very helpful for weight loss.
In addition to the wet kelp available at general snack stalls and supermarkets, you can also find dried kelp when you are shopping for New Year's goods or in many traditional markets. The surface of general dried kelp is covered with a white powder, and many people think it is salt or ash. They wash it off when soaking, but it is actually a precious medicinal substance called mannitol. After the kelp itself is drained and air-dried, the mannitol it contains will adhere to the surface of the kelp, looking like a white frost and having a slightly sweet taste. In medicine, it is a good diuretic, has the effect of reducing swelling, and also has the effects of relieving alcoholism, weight loss, and anti-cancer and antibacterial properties!
Mannitol is soluble in water, so if you soak dried kelp for a few hours, the mannitol will be dissolved, which is a pity. So how should you soak the kelp? The best way is to steam it dry. After steaming for half an hour, rinse it with water, and it will be both tender and crispy.
What should you pay attention to when choosing kelp?
1. Look at the surface
Look at the white frost on the surface of the kelp. Kelp with white frost is good; without it, the quality is poor.
2. Look at the color
Look at the color of the kelp. Good dried kelp is dark in color, gray-green, and natural. Do not choose the emerald green ones.
3. Look at whether it is complete
Look at whether the kelp is complete, thick, and has no small holes. If the kelp is small and broken, or has large areas of damage or small holes, do not buy it.
4. Feel if it is sticky
Kelp that does not feel sticky to the touch is good kelp.
5. Smell for any strange odors
Smell it. Dried kelp also has a strong seafood smell. If there are other strange odors, you should be cautious when choosing.
The benefits of eating kelp
1. Preventing and treating goiter
Kelp contains iodine and iodides, which can prevent and treat iodine-deficiency goiter.
2. Lowering blood pressure
Kelp amino acid, potassium salt, and calcium elements can reduce the human body's absorption of cholesterol and lower blood pressure.
Kelp, Peanut, and Pig's Trotter Soup
3. Lowering blood lipids
Kelp contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber, which can remove cholesterol attached to the blood vessel walls, regulate the stomach and intestines, and promote the excretion of cholesterol.
4. Inhibiting tumors
Its hot water extract has a significant cytotoxic effect on human KB cells in vitro and a significant inhibitory effect on S180 tumors. Moreover, kelp is also rich in selenium, a cancer-fighting star, and has anti-cancer effects.
5. Improving immunity
Kelp can enhance the body's humoral immunity and promote the body's cellular immunity. There are many other foods that can regulate immunity, and shiitake mushrooms are one of them.
6. Lowering blood sugar
Kelp contains 60% fucoidan, which is an excellent dietary fiber. After diabetic patients eat it, it can delay gastric emptying and the time it takes for food to pass through the small intestine. In this way, even if the amount of insulin secretion is reduced, the blood sugar level will not rise, achieving the purpose of treating diabetes.
7. Diuretic and reducing swelling
The surface of kelp is often covered with a white powder-like frost—mannitol. It is a valuable medicinal substance. Modern scientific research has shown that mannitol has the effect of lowering blood pressure, diuresis, and reducing swelling.
8. Preventing 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 often can prevent cardiovascular diseases.
9. Eliminating hyperplasia of mammary glands
The large amount of iodine in kelp can stimulate the pituitary gland, reduce the estrogen level in women, restore the normal function of the ovaries, correct endocrine disorders, and eliminate the hidden danger of hyperplasia of mammary glands.
Chopped Chili Kelp
10. Protecting hair
Kelp is extremely rich in iodine, which is the main raw material for the synthesis of thyroxine in the body. The luster of hair is formed by the action of thyroxine in the body.
11. Supplementing calcium
Kelp is rich in calcium and can prevent and treat calcium deficiency in the human body.
12. Beauty
Kelp juice can be used for beauty and skin care. Soaking in a bath made from kelp soup can moisturize the skin, making it fresh, smooth, smooth, and beautiful.
13. Weight loss
Kelp contains a large amount of dietary fiber, which can increase the satiety of obese people. Moreover, the fat content of kelp is very low and the calorie content is small, making it a food for weight loss for obese people.
14. Delaying 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 but also delay aging.
The peanuts and pig hoofs
The pepper belt
The seaweed