You may be familiar with eating seaweed already, thanks to delicious menu items like nori-wrapped sushi—but the world of edible algae extends well beyond your favorite spicy tuna roll to include varieties like chlorella, spirulina, and sea moss. These microplants are rich in nutrients and are thought to provide a host of health benefits when consumed. “Algae is very efficient at synthesizing and making bioactive compounds,” says Ralph Esposito, ND, LAc, naturopathic physician, functional medicine practitioner, and acupuncturist specializing in integrative urology, endocrinology, and nutrigenomics (the study of how food/nutrition impacts your genes). In layman’s terms, this means that algae can take in sunlight and nutrients from the environment and transform them into nutrients and compounds our bodies can use. “This includes things like omega-3 fatty acids, iron, vitamin K, zinc, magnesium, and, interestingly, it can make methylated (active) forms of B vitamins like B12 and folate,” Esposito explains.
What to Look for in an Algae Product
It’s not recommended to harvest your own algae for consumption, since many types can be toxic. While most edible algae is found in dietary supplement form (although certain seaweeds can be found in their raw form), Esposito cautions not to take any supplement blindly, and to look for algae products that come from clean waters without any metals, contaminants, or other environmental pollutants. “Some things to look for are NSF certification and third-party testing,” he says. “Remember, a company can get a third party to test their product but it doesn’t mean they always pass. NSF certification confirms they are tested and they pass.” Most importantly, always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement, and remember that eating whole, healthy foods and a balanced diet is the best way to fuel your body, rather than relying on supplements.
Healthy Types of Edible Algae—and Their Nutritional Benefits
There are many different types of algae you can eat, each with its own unique set of characteristics and health properties. Here are four varieties to know about, and why they’re supposedly so good for you. It’s also a powerful natural detoxifier. “Chlorella’s superpower is its ability to assist the body in detoxification, especially of persistent environmental pollutants like dioxins,” Esposito says. “One of the more common dioxins is polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are becoming more prevalent in our water supply and contaminating many of our freshwater ecosystems, including the fish that live there. Because nature is very intelligent, it’s no surprise that chlorella (which is found mostly in freshwater) has been shown to reduce the absorption of dioxins and help us eliminate them.” RELATED: 4 Health Benefits of Spirulina—Plus, When You Should Avoid It Sea moss is usually sold in powdered form, but can also be found raw in health food stores and online. If you’re planning to mix it into a smoothie, be warned that it can taste a little fishy, so prepare to include other tasty add-ins. RELATED: How to Cook With Kelp, Kale’s Sea-Based Best Friend
