When it comes to talking about seafood, everyone thinks of non-vegetarian food. But apart from that, there are the healthy and nutritious edible sea vegetables that add extra health benefits to your body. Let’s discover some of the best edible sea vegetables that will improve your health.
1.Nori
Nori is an edible seaweed. It is consumed as paste or sheets. It is also used as a flavoring agent in the preparation of soups and noodles. Raw nori seaweed contains 5% carbohydrates, 6% proteins, very little fat, and a high content of iodine. 100g of nori seaweed as 35 calories.
2.Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue-green algae. Dried spirulina contains 24% carbohydrates, 60% proteins, 8% fat, and 5% water. 100g of dried spirulina powder provides 290 kilocalories. It is a good source of iron, manganese, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B.
3.Kelp
The scientific name for kelp is Laminariales. Kelp is brown algae that grows in large groupings. It is used as an ingredient in the preparation of puddings, dairy products, cakes, frozen foods, salad dressing, smoothies, sauces, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, and shampoos.
4.Dulse
The scientific name for dulse is Palmaria palmate. Dulse is red algae. It is similar to Dilsea carnosa. It is also called sea lettuce flakes. It is used as food and medicine.
5.Chlorella
Chlorella is green algae. It contains 20% carbohydrates, 45% proteins, 20% fat, 10% minerals, and 5% fibers. It is rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber. It is used as a nutrient supplement.
6.Wakame
The scientific name for wakame is Undaria pinnatifida. It is also known as seaweed salad. It is sweet in taste with a strong flavor. 100g of raw wakame provides 45 kcal of energy. It is used in soups and salads.
7.Aonori
Aonori is also called green laver. It is rich in magnesium, calcium, vitamins, fibers, and methionine. It is commonly used as a flavoring agent.
8.Kombu
Kombu is brown seaweed. It belongs to the family Laminariaceae. It is rich in glutamic acid, iodine, and dietary fiber.
9.Arame
The scientific name for arame is Eisenia bicyclis. Arame is brown algae. It has a mildly sweet taste. It is used as an ingredient in soups, appetizers, casseroles, toasted dishes, muffins, and pilafs.
10.Badderlocks
The scientific name for badderlocks is Alaria esculenta. It is also called dabberlocks or winged kelp.
11.Guso
Guso is red algae. It is also called sea moss. It is used as a food source, an ingredient for cosmetics, and in industrial manufacturing. It is rich in potassium, magnesium, iodine, calcium, dietary fibers, and vitamins B and K.
12.Irish Moss
The scientific name for Irish Moss is Chondrus crispus. It is also called carrageen moss. It is red algae. It is rich in proteins, minerals, iodine, and sulfur. It is used as a stabilizer in ice cream and processed foods.
13.Hijiki
The scientific name for hijiki is Sargassum fusiforme. It is a brown sea vegetable. It is rich in magnesium, iron, calcium, and dietary fibers.
14.Oarweed
The scientific name for oarweed is Laminaria digitata. Oarweed is brown algae. It is also called sea tangle or sea ribbon. It contains potassium, iron, calcium, iodine, carotene, alginic acid, mannitol, laminarin, phosphorus, and vitamins C and B complex.
15.Sea Grapes
The scientific name for sea grapes is Caulerpa lentillifera. It is also called green caviar. It is rich in iodine. It is eaten along with rice, soups, and salads.
16.Ogonori
The scientific name for Ogonori is Gracilaria. Ogonori is a red algae found in warm water. It is also called ogo. It is a lacy vegetable with a snappy appearance.
17.Sea Lettuce
The scientific name for sea lettuce is Ulva fenestrate. Sea Lettuce is green algae. It is rich in proteins, minerals, vitamins, and dietary fibers. It is used in salads and soups.
18.Marsh Samphire
The scientific name for marsh samphire is Salicornia europaea. It is also called common glasswort or pickle weed. It is a succulent herb with high water content. Cooked marsh samphire looks like spinach stems or asparagus.
19.Sea Purslane
The scientific name for sea purslane is Sesuvium portulacastrum. It is also called sore purslane. The whole plant is pickled and eaten as a sweet pickle.
20.Alaria
Alaria is brown algae. The common species of alaria is Alaria esculenta. It is also called wing kelp. It is rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins and low in fat content. It is an excellent source of iodine.