Kelp, also known as kombu, has blade-like fronds that taper towards the tip. They are generally 2-4 meters long and 20-30 cm wide (kelp growing on the seabed is smaller, 1-2 meters long and 15-20 cm wide). The edges of the kelp blade are thin and soft, forming wavy folds. The base of the blade is connected to a short, stalk-like petiole and a holdfast (pseudo-root). The entire plant is olive-brown, turning dark brown or blackish-brown when dried, and is covered with a white, powdery substance. Kelp is renowned as the "longevity vegetable," "vegetable from the sea," and the "iodine champion." From a nutritional perspective, it is a health food that promotes longevity.
Nutritional Value Analysis of Kelp
Kelp is rich in carbohydrates, with low levels of protein and fat.
Compared to spinach and rapeseed, kelp contains several to tens of times more crude protein, sugar, calcium, and iron, with the exception of Vitamin C.
Kelp is a type of seaweed with a very high iodine content. Farmed kelp generally contains 3%-5% iodine, with some reaching as high as 7%-10%.
Effects on Health and Disease
A white, frost-like powder, mannitol, is often found on the surface of kelp. It is a valuable medicinal substance. Modern scientific research has proven that mannitol has the effects of lowering blood pressure, promoting urination, and reducing swelling.
Kelp contains large amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a polyunsaturated fatty acid that can reduce blood viscosity and decrease vascular hardening. Therefore, regular consumption of kelp can help prevent cardiovascular diseases.
The iodine in kelp is extremely abundant and is a primary raw material for the synthesis of thyroid hormones in the body. The luster of hair is formed by the action of these thyroid hormones. Iodine can stimulate the pituitary gland, lowering estrogen levels in women, restoring normal ovarian function, correcting endocrine imbalances, and eliminating the risk of hyperplasia of the mammary glands.
The gelatinous substance in kelp can promote the excretion of radioactive substances from the body along with feces, thereby reducing the accumulation of radioactive substances in the human body and lowering the incidence of radiation-related diseases.
Kelp is rich in calcium and can prevent calcium deficiency in the body.
The "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "Kelp can treat goiter (i.e., thyroid enlargement) and other edemas, and has the functions of resolving phlegm and dissipating nodules." In recent years, scientists have discovered that regular consumption of kelp has effects on both the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Kelp contains 60% fucoidan, which is an excellent source of dietary fiber. When consumed by diabetics, it can delay gastric emptying and the time food passes through the small intestine. This way, even with reduced insulin secretion, blood sugar levels will not rise, achieving the goal of treating diabetes.
For obese individuals, consuming kelp can reduce hunger while providing various amino acids and inorganic salts, making it an ideal satiety agent.
Kelp contains laminine, a special amino acid that has the effect of lowering blood pressure and can prevent hypertension and cerebral hemorrhage.
Regular Consumption of Kelp for Beautiful Hair
Kelp is extremely rich in iodine, an element that is a primary raw material for the synthesis of thyroid hormones in the body. The luster of hair is formed by the action of these thyroid hormones. The "quality of hair" and its keratin components are derived from sulfur-containing proteins, and protein is an important substance for giving hair its luster. In addition to iodine, calcium, and sulfur, kelp also contains iron, sodium, magnesium, potassium, cobalt, phosphorus, mannitol, and vitamins B1, B2, C, and other substances. These nutrients are highly beneficial for hair health. Therefore, regular consumption of kelp has special effects on the growth, moisturizing, darkening, and shining of hair.
Women Can Eat More Kelp to Care for Their Breasts
For women, kelp not only has health benefits such as beauty, hair care, and weight loss, but can also assist in treating hyperplasia of the mammary glands. The reason kelp can alleviate hyperplasia of the mammary glands is its high iodine content, which can promote the luteinization of ovarian follicles, thereby lowering estrogen levels in the body, adjusting endocrine imbalances, and ultimately eliminating the risk of hyperplasia of the mammary glands.
Due to global water pollution, kelp may contain toxic substances—arsenic. Therefore, before cooking, it should be soaked in clean water for two to three hours, changing the water once or twice in the middle. However, do not soak it for too long, a maximum of 6 hours, to avoid excessive loss of water-soluble nutrients.
After eating kelp, do not drink tea immediately, nor eat sour or astringent fruits right away.
Patients with hyperthyroidism should not eat kelp.
Pregnant and lactating women should not eat too much kelp. This is because the iodine in kelp can enter the body of the fetus (infant) through the bloodstream, causing thyroid dysfunction.