Sea Kelp Has Properties That Can Lower Cholesterol
Kelp extract benefits your heart because they also help lower cholesterol levels in your blood.
Researchers have found that brown kelp contains fucosterols that help to lower plasma cholesterol levels. (18) A review of the effects of algae extracts also found that kelp extracts have blood cholesterol reducing properties. (19)
Taking sea kelp is just one of the many ways to lower cholesterol levels naturally.
Sea Kelp May Lower Blood Glucose Levels
Marine foods like kelp can also help to control blood glucose levels and lower fasting blood glucose.
Scientific research has revealed that consuming seaweed supplements can help diabetics control their symptoms. One study involved taking 48 g of seaweed extracts for 4 weeks. After the 4 weeks, researchers noted the blood glucose levels after a meal were lower, as well as fasting blood glucose levels. The seaweed supplements also lowered blood lipids (a type of fat in blood) and increased antioxidant levels in the blood. (20)
Learn about other foods to control type 2 diabetes.
Sea Kelp Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Taking brown seaweed supplements like sea kelp powder can also help to reduce inflammatory responses in your body.
Although inflammation is necessary to fight infection, chronic or long-term inflammation can lead to various diseases. (21)
A study from 2016 found that extracts of brown seaweed helped to regulate inflammatory markers in the blood. This helped to reduce some complications related to obesity and being overweight. (22)
Other research has suggested that polysaccharides from kelp extracts can help to treat various inflammatory diseases. (23)
Find out what other foods you can eat to reduce chronic inflammation in your body.
Sea Kelp Can Improve Digestive Health
Taking kelp dietary supplements can also help improve your digestion because they act as a prebiotic.
Research carried out in 2018 found that brown kelp supplements help beneficial gut bacteria to flourish. Kelp contains dietary fiber that has prebiotic properties. This helps to “feed” good bacteria that are essential to your digestive health. Taking kelp supplements increase gut bacteria strains such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Enterococcus. (24)
Scientists also noted that the improvement in digestion helps reduce body weight, improves the immune systems, and promotes healthy gut microbiota. (24)
If your digestion isn’t working properly, why not try one of these 8 ways to improve your digestive health.
Sea Kelp Can Increase Bone Density and Prevent Osteoporosis
One of the many benefits of supplementing your diet with kelp extracts is to improve bone health.
Osteoporosis often affects women over their 40s and can lead to brittle bones, bone fractures, and back pain.
Research has discovered that extracts from sea algae help suppress osteoclasts which are responsible for poor bone structure. Scientists were able to identify specific compounds in kelp extracts that help to strengthen bones and have an anti-osteoporosis effect. They concluded that marine algae can be used as a medicinal food that can help prevent osteoporosis. (25)
Another study found that an algae supplements enriched with calcium were superior to calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. These are common supplements to help prevent the effects of osteoporosis. (26)
Did you know that you can reduce the risk of osteoporosis by consuming non-dairy foods that are high in calcium if you avoid dairy products?
Sea Kelp Has Anticancer Properties
The antioxidant properties of sea kelp may have a beneficial effect in helping to treat and prevent various types of cancer.
The International Journal of Biological Macromolecules reported in 2013 that compounds in sea algae extract have anticancer potential. For example, polysaccharides have antioxidant effects that can have therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. (27)
A comparative study of the medicinal properties of various types of brown seaweeds found that they could help prevent the growth of certain tumors. (28)
Several studies have shown that seaweed-derived compounds can help to kill off cancer cells in breast cancer and colorectal cancer. (29)
Other research has found that the compound fucoxanthin that is naturally present in kelp can destroy cancerous cells. The seaweed extracts showed potential in treating leukemia, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, and bladder cancer. (30)
Studies from Japan indicate that consuming seaweed daily could also have a protective effect against breast cancer in women. (31)
Of course, more research has to be done on how kelp extracts benefit cancer treatments. However, research does show that kelp has anticancer potential.
Sea Kelp Cosmetic Products Can Boost Skin Health
The high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effect in sea kelp mean that kelp extracts are excellent in cosmetic products.
