Algae

Algae

The variety of algae is immense, there are thousands of species and are believed to have appeared on earth some three billion years ago.

Seaweed isvery simple organisms and plants play a key role in the marine ecosystem. Their natural habitat is water: rivers, lakes and seas. To survive, being subject to photosynthesis and plant organisms, which produce precious oxygen, you need sufficient exposure to light. Oddly enough, the algae are living organisms that produce the most oxygen around the planet.

As noted above, the varieties of algae is enormous and their classification is by their predominant color, which can be red, yellow, green, brown, and in some cases, even blue.

Composition and Useful Links

We say that the quantities of different substances that make up the algae depends on the species to which they belong. In general, seaweed is characterized by abundant presence of iodine, calcium, magnesium and potassium. At the same time it has a high content of dietary fiber satiating properties and slightly laxative.

Important note is determined by the presence in a good amount of vitamin A as beta-carotene, which is present in amounts 20 times higher than the carrot. Although vitamin B along with C, D and E are well represented. Another element found in the algae, especially in Fucus alga, is alginic acid which has the particular property to facilitate the removal of heavy metals from the body.

Healing Properties and Algae Benefits

The seaweed is a very important food for our health, it is very difficult to find foods such as seaweed that we freed from impurities and toxins that our body accumulates over time.

And was found that the algae have detoxifying properties, helping the liver and kidneys, digestion, elimination of toxic waste through sweat, faeces and urine. The presence of fatty acids causes the algae also play an anti-inflammatory role. This is due to iodine which stimulates the activity of the thyroid. Moreover, speeding up the metabolism, seaweed can also be regarded as a slimming food.

Algae are at the same time a great capacity to combat pathogenic microorganisms and thus help the body to activate the immune system, strengthen bones, hair and nails.

Finally, last but not least, is studying the behavior of seaweed against some types of cancer, thanks to the presence of antioxidants in algae.

Main Types of Seaweed and Their Components

Seaweed and Kitchen

Many types of seaweed are currently used in the kitchen, the most important include: dulse, Hijikata, Nori, Arame, Kombu, Wakame, Agar Agar and Klamath. Appreciated the nori that is used for the preparation of the famous sushi. Seaweed contain any substances and vitamins that our body needs, it is no coincidence that consumption in Italy increases with time.

The algae are concentrated and vegetables can be combined with many foods as a side dish to our usual meals.

Seaweed that you find in the market, is usually dried and is then used in small doses. Indeed, once rehydrated, can also increase the volume of ten times. Remember when you were cooking.

Recipe Beets and Algae

Ingredients: 1 red beet, 6 cloves garlic, 2 lettuce leaves (preferably lettuce), soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and lemon juice, 200 grams. seaweed.

Procediment: Boil the beet previously clean take one half, cut into slices and arrange in a circle on a plate with the lettuce. Cut into small pieces the remaining half of beet and put together with algae in a bowl adding the crushed garlic, season all with oil, salt and soy sauce, then pour the entire contents of the salad in the prepared dish.