We continue our Blends Blog series with our sea vegetable blend! Here’s what makes them a crucial component to the Superfood Raw greens mix and why you need even more veggies than you thought you did.

When you hear the words “sea vegetables,” you probably assume we’re talking about seaweed, and you’re not wrong. But it goes far beyond that single kind you eat with your sushi – and so do the benefits. Our greens blend covers your bases, but the sea vegetables bring things to another level with anti-aging properties, rich mineral content, and helping rid the body of harmful toxins, to name a few.

No need for any ocean diving excursions to get your hands on these either – our Superfood Raw greens drink includes four of these nutrient-rich plants: spirulina, cracked cell chlorella, kelp, and dulse. Some other more popular sea vegetables you might hear about or see are agar, arame, and kombu. With so many options, it may not be necessary or realistic to consume them all, so we carefully selected these four – and in the appropriate doses – for good reasons:

Spirulina

One of the more well-known superfoods in the wellness world, spirulina offers vitamins B1, B2 and B3, in addition to minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, potassium. Each tablespoon also contains around 4 grams of protein. Spirulina is said to hold powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation and free radicals. Diabetics and those with a risk of heart disease may also take a particular interest in spirulina, as it may help lower LDL cholesterol, control blood sugar, and lower blood pressure [1] [2].

Cracked Cell Chlorella

Chlorella is an algae known for supporting digestion and the immune system. Some of the conditions it helps with are said to be detoxification [3] [4], reducing side effects in radiation treatments, strengthening the immune system [5], anti-aging, and preventing cancer [6]. It is high in vitamins A, B2, and B3, plus it packs a mineral punch with iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Kelp

Kelp is rich in vitamins A, B-12, and B-6, and C, which are all critical for energy and cellular metabolism. This plant, also considered a type of algae, is a mineral goldmine of iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. The iodine it contains is particularly significant, as this mineral plays a considerable role in thyroid hormone production and a functioning metabolism. These vitamins and minerals, in conjunction with high levels of antioxidants, help fight stress, chronic disease, and free radicals.

Dulse

Dulse is a form of red seaweed noted for its calcium, iron, and magnesium content. As we all know, these are essential minerals for building strong bones, something we must become increasingly conscious of as we age. Other benefits include vitamins B-12 & B-6, vitamin A for healthy eyesight, and vitamin C for a healthy immune system. It also contains Omega-3 and Omega-6, which help with brain function and blood pressure regulation.

So, how do you implement sea vegetables into your healthy eating routine?

There is always the route of purchasing these separately like you would any other supplement, but that’s another handful of extra pills to remember to take every morning. And those that come in the form of flakes or seasonings aren’t exactly the most accessible. Talk about tedious and expensive. 

Superfood Raw makes it effortless and cost-effective. While it is true we have plenty of earth-grown vegetables right here above sea level, just one scoop a day gets you a consistent and proper dosage of organic spirulina, chlorella, kelp, and dulse, plus three other nutrient-dense blends.

References:

1. Serban, C., Sahebkar, A., Dragan, S., Andrica, F., Urosniu, S., & Banach, M. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations. Atherosclerosis, 241(1).
2. Huang, H., Liao, D., Pu, R., & Cui, Y. (2018). Quantifying the effects of spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid and glucose concentrations, body weight, and blood pressure. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, Volume 11, 729–742.
3. Zhai, Q., Narbad, A., & Chen, W. (2015). Dietary Strategies for the Treatment of Cadmium and Lead Toxicity. Nutrients, 7(1), 552–571.
4. Uchikawa, T., Kumamoto, Y., Maruyama, I., Kumamoto, S., Ando, Y., & Yasutake, A. (2011). The enhanced elimination of tissue methylmercury in Parachlorella beijerinckii-fed mice. The Journal of Toxicological Sciences, 36(1), 121–126.
5. Kwak, J. H., Baek, S. H., Woo, Y., Han, J. K., Kim, B. G., Kim, O. Y., & Lee, J. H. (2012). Beneficial immunostimulatory effect of short-term Chlorella supplementation: enhancement of Natural Killercell activity and early inflammatory response (Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial). Nutrition Journal, 11(1).
6. Lordan, S., Ross, R. P., & Stanton, C. (2011). Marine Bioactives as Functional Food Ingredients: Potential to Reduce the Incidence of Chronic Diseases. Marine Drugs, 9(6), 1056–1100.