Edible Seaweeds & Chlorella
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Edible Seaweeds & Chlorella
Seaweeds live at different depths in the oceans and estuaries and along the coasts. Certain pigments enable them to absorb the sunlight, filtered through the water, to accomplish photosynthesis. There are three main color groups of seaweeds, with combinations of green chlorophyll, orange carotenoid, crimson phycoerythrin, and indigo phycocyanin pigments. Green seaweeds (Chlorophyta) include, among others: sea grapes and sea lettuce. Brown seaweeds (Ochrophyta) include, among others: arame, hijiki, kelp, kombu, and wakame. Red seaweeds (Rhodophyta) include, among others: dulse, nori (which may have a red tint when it is freshly harvested), and sea moss.
Seaweeds are comprised of complex carbohydrates, protein, polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. Living in seawater, their mineral content is high, such as magnesium, iodine, and zine. They are a good source of vitamins and have antimicrobial, antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Seaweeds also contain fucoidan and sulfated polysaccharide (sugars) which are prebiotic, non-digestible fibers that feed the probiotic bacteria in our digestive tract and increase the fatty acids that protect the lining of our intestines.
Chlorella is an edible micro-alga with a deep green color, exceptionally rich in chlorophyll. It is found mostly in freshwater but sometimes in brackish and saltwater environments (Darienko, Rad-Menéndez, Campbell, & Pröschold, 2019). Chlorella supports healthy cell and tissue function and the immune system. HealthForce Superfoods offers a high quality product called Chlorella Manna that is tested for purity (Ref., https://healthforcesuperfoods.com/product/chlorella-manna/.
References
Tatyana Darienko, T., Rad-Menéndez, C., Campbell, C., Pröschold, T. (2019). Are there any true marine Chlorella species? Molecular phylogenetic assessment and ecology of marine Chlorella-like organisms, including a description of Droopiella gen. nov. Systematics and Biodiversity. 17(8), 811 – 829. Retrieved from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14772000.2019.1690597.
Amy Wing, Holistic Health Educator,
Nature’s Hearth
Website: www.naturesheart.net
Email: ajw.habitat@gmail.com
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