Can I eat too much seaweed? (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat too much seaweed? ›

It is possible to eat too much seaweed, especially if it contains large amounts of iodine, which can affect thyroid health.

Most of them experienced abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting and sometimes diarrhea. They almost always had excessive perspiration and some of them had cold skin and tears.

Seaweed has many possible benefits, from blood sugar regulation to decreased heart disease risk. The plant is available in various types and has vitamins and antioxidants. There are risks to eating seaweed, such as its iodine content's potential to cause thyroid problems.

Sulphated polysaccharides (SPSs) from various seaweeds possess broad spectrum therapeutic and biomedical properties that are known to play a significant inhibitory role in calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones.

Some seaweeds contain inorganic arsenic, which is considered toxic and poses health risks; it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders, and an increased incidence of lung, skin, and bladder cancers.

In case you use too much dried seaweed, it can lead to the risk of hyperthyroidism or can lead to medical related conditions such as: metabolic disorders, digestive disorders. In addition, you should also choose reputable seaweed products, in order to take advantage of all the useful nutrients of this vegetable.

Early studies have found a link between seaweed intake and a lower risk for heart disease. Some findings indicate that polyphenols, compounds found in seaweed, could help lower blood pressure, LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels.

One of the most popular edible seaweed species is Nori, thanks to its 'roll' in sushi. Nori has a milder flavour than other seaweeds, but still packs a punch with its vitamin and mineral content. It's a particularly good source of vitamin B12 – a vitamin which is often absent in land plants[iii].

Seaweed is an excellent source of fiber, which is known to promote gut health ( 29 , 30 ). It can make up about 25–75% of seaweed's dry weight. This is higher than the fiber content of most fruits and vegetables ( 31 , 32 ).

Who should not eat seaweed? ›

Most seaweed contains high levels of iodine, and a person may consume too much if they eat a lot of seaweed over an extended period. While many people can handle high levels of iodine, some are more vulnerable to its effects, which can include hyperthyroidism.

Seaweed removes fats and toxins from the body and helps protect the liver from toxic damage. A Canadian study from McGill University found that seaweed absorbs cadmium and lead from inside the body, which can accumulate from cigarette smoke and industrial waste in the environment.

fermentation of seaweed-derived compounds

In addition to providing colonocytes with energy, SCFAs also help to maintain the integrity of the gut barrier and have anti-inflammatory qualities, all of which improve the general health of the digestive system.

It is possible to eat too much seaweed, especially if it contains large amounts of iodine, which can affect thyroid health. A small 2020 study suggests that consuming seaweed may cause high iodine exposure, which can lead to a thyroid condition.

Keep in mind that, on average, the Japanese diet contains around 5g of seaweed daily and iodine in the range of 1,000-3,000µg.

However, regular intake of iodine-rich seaweeds such as kelps (Laminaria/Ascophyllum/fucoids) has the potential of exposure to excess iodine with possible adverse effects on thyroid function, particularly in those with pre-existing thyroid disorder, pregnant women, and neonates [37, 38].

The iodine amounts in different seaweed species also vary greatly. For example, commercially available seaweeds in whole or sheet form have iodine concentrations ranging from 16 mcg/g to 2,984 mcg/g [15].