Seaweed and sustainibility

Seaweeds represent probably one of the most realistic alternative today for the food challenge we are facing.

It's one of the most obvious solutions to the harmful consequences of human development. Seaweed is easy to grow, available in big quantity and easily renewable. It does not require much resources and can nurture the entire planet without destroying soils. The energy to grow them is way lower than any type of food (no use of water, fertilizers etc).

Seaweed and human beings

Seaweed brings all nutrients we need. For example, spirulina is one of the oldest organism of the vegetal world. Spirulina has a high protein, minerals and vitamin content and has almost all nutritional elements necessary to maintain life. It is the only food that bring in once almost all the minerals, proteins, vitamins and oligo elements that we need. 

The World Health Organisation has recognised iodine insufficiency as key problem in many western countries. For more information : https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(03)12935-2/fulltext

Iodine is a mineral that ensures the thyroid functions properly. Iodine also plays an important role in physical and mental development in early life. Seaweed, eggs, fish and milk are good sources of iodine. Iodine can also be manufactured and added to salt, or taken in supplements.

Iodized salt and iodine supplements contain potassium iodide, which is absorbed very quickly and then excreted again within three hours. In seaweed, iodine quantities vary by species, but they’re all an excellent source and natural iodine in seaweed is absorbed slowly. 

This explains why we inserted seaweed as part of our diet for millenia all over the world. Kombu, wakame and Nori come from ancient time asian tradition (japan; korea). Dulse, sea spaghetti and sea salad were common ingredients in the celtic cuisine. Incas considered Spirulina as “the food of the gods”. Finally we like seaweed because it tastes good. That is why seaweed is source of life and is the food of the future. Whatever we can think about seaweed, it is the solution for the planet challenge we are facing today.