Long before supplements existed, humans gathered nourishment from the sea. Seaweed and kelp, humble, drifting plants of the ocean, are among the most mineral rich foods on Earth, freely offered by coastlines around the world.
Ignored by many and misunderstood by others, these ocean vegetables quietly support thyroid health, metabolism, immunity and cellular balance, all while growing without soil, fertiliser or fresh water.
🐚 Ancient Food of Coastal Cultures
Seaweed has sustained coastal peoples for thousands of years. In Japan, Korea, Ireland, Iceland and Indigenous coastal cultures worldwide, sea vegetables were daily food, not health trends.
Historically, kelp and seaweed were used to:
🌊 Prevent nutrient deficiencies
🌊 Support energy and warmth in cold climates
🌊 Strengthen bones, blood and metabolism
🌊 Maintain thyroid and hormonal balance
In many places, seaweed was dried and stored for winter - a true survival food from the sea.
🧂 A Nutritional Profile Like No Other
Seaweed doesn’t just contain minerals - it concentrates them.
✨ Iodine – essential for thyroid & metabolic health
✨ Magnesium – nerves, muscles & relaxation
✨ Calcium – bones & teeth
✨ Iron – blood & oxygen transport
✨ Zinc & Selenium – immunity & hormone balance
✨ B vitamins – energy & nervous system support
Seaweed also contains alginate fibres, which support digestion and help bind toxins, as well as antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress.
Gram for gram, seaweed is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.
🧠 Thyroid Support: Why Iodine Matters
Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production - which regulates:
🔥 Metabolism
🧠 Brain function
🌡️ Body temperature
💤 Energy and mood
Many modern diets are iodine-deficient due to depleted soils and reduced use of traditional foods. Seaweed provides iodine in its natural, bioavailable form, the way humans historically consumed it.
⚠️ Balance matters: small amounts regularly are better than large amounts occasionally. Seaweed is powerful, respect is part of the relationship.
🌊 Where to Find Seaweed & Kelp
If you live near the coast, seaweed is often abundant and free.
🌊 Rocky shores & tidal zones (at low tide)
🌊 Clean, unpolluted coastlines
🌊 Washed up kelp (fresh, not rotting)
Common edible varieties include:
• Kelp (kombu)
• Dulse
• Sea lettuce
• Wakame
• Nori
🧭 Always forage responsibly:
✔ Avoid polluted or busy waterways
✔ Learn to identify species correctly
✔ Take small amounts, leaving plenty behind
🍳 Simple Ways to Eat Seaweed
Seaweed is incredibly versatile - and easier to cook than most people realise.
🥗 Fresh
– Rinse well and slice into salads
– Add to soups and broths
🍲 Dried
– Crumble into soups, stews or rice
– Soak wakame for salads
– Add kombu to beans to improve digestion
🔥 Toasted
– Lightly toast kelp or nori flakes
– Sprinkle over vegetables, eggs or fish
🍵 Infused
– Simmer kelp gently to make mineral rich broths
A little goes a long way - think seasoning, not main ingredient.
🌍 Why the Ocean Feeds Us Freely
Seaweed grows without land, irrigation or fertiliser. It cleans water, provides habitat for marine life, and absorbs carbon - all while feeding humans.
It is one of the most sustainable foods on the planet, yet often overlooked because it doesn’t look familiar.
The sea hasn’t stopped offering nourishment.
We just stopped looking 🌊
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