Algae For the Future of Food and Nutritional Security

We’ve all heard of the power of superfoods, and now it’s time to add algae to the list. From being a source of nutrition for animals and plants to being a viable food source for humans, algae are also quickly becoming a major part of our diets. Whether you’re a foodie or a health enthusiast, it’s time to get familiar with this incredible superfood.

The Past, Present, and Future of Algae Food

Algae have been around for millions of years, and they have been used to provide food for centuries and are now explored for biofuels and medicines. In the past, they were often consumed by coastal populations. Some cultures still rely on it as a key part of their diets. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in algae as a food source. This is due to the fact that they are incredibly nutritious and contain a wealth of beneficial nutrients.

Now, algae are becoming more and more popular in the mainstream. They are also being used as a supplement, a food source, and in a variety of other products. There are now many types of edible algae, such as spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green algae. All of these types of algae offer a range of health benefits and are becoming increasingly popular with health-conscious individuals.

Looking to the future, algae are likely to become an even more important part of our diets. In addition to being used as a food source, they are also being used as an ingredient in a range of products. Algae are being used to create healthy, sustainable, and nutritious food products. This includes plant-based proteins, which are made from algae, as well as omega-3 fatty acid supplements, which are derived from algae.

Seaweed/Macroalgae are in the Mainstream of Modern Living

Different seaweed species are the most widely consumed types of algae. They are often used in Asian cuisine and are becoming increasingly popular in the West. Seaweeds are packed with vitamins and minerals, including iodine, iron, and calcium. They have a unique, umami flavor that has made them popular among meat lovers.

In addition to being used in food, seaweed is now being used in a variety of products. For example, it is being used as a natural dye in cosmetics, and as a base for many health products. It is also being used as a thickener in foods as it contains different types of polysaccharides. Macroalgae are an incredibly versatile category of primary producers and have a variety of potential uses.

What evidence will convince you to eat seaweed?

Numerous authorities in the fields of diet and nutrition agree that seaweed has a lot of nutrition for sustaining life. According to them, these underwater plants can significantly alter the way humans consume food. And, Experts have been lauding macroalgae for quite some time, and they have been getting attention from the media.

When you look into the benefits of consuming seaweed, you will find that the list is quite long. Besides, it is important to know that seaweed contains vitamins, minerals, iodine, calcium, antioxidants, and many more. Research reveals that the substances in these organisms can be used to treat specific ailments. These benefits will definitely prove that microalgae will also have a very essential role in food security in the future.

• Colon cancer/colorectal cancer

These are amongst the most prevalent medical conditions, and their occurrence is on the rise, thus raising alarms. Fortunately, Fucoidan, a compound found in brown seaweed, can give protection against this particular illness. Numerous studies have been conducted and the findings showed that Fucoidan can impede the growth of colon cancer and breast cancer (Moussavou, G., et al. 2014,). The research work conducted by González-Ballesteros, N. et al. 2019, has also stated that Gold and Silver nanoparticles produced with Ulva lactuca extracts have significant effects on triggering apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2).

• Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a problem confronting millions of people. The good news is that consuming specific macroalgae has been shown to be an effective remedy for this issue. Scientific evidence also proved that oral consumption of macroalgal extracts or even consumption of whole macroalgae triggers insulin production, and regulates the digestion to absorption of sugars. Controlling insulin resistance can also be done through diet and having it as part of the meal plan is enough (Calderwood, D., et al. 2021, Zhao, C., et al. 2018, Lin, G., et al. 2018).

• Blood Pressure:

Algae are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and even a tiny amount of omega-3 can have a positive impact when it comes to blood pressure. More specifically, the content of omega-3 has the ability to reduce blood pressure, thereby enhancing healthy heart function. Macroalgae contain essential health supplements that can improve the health of an individual on regular consumption. As scientific communities are exploring microalgae as a source of essential nutrients, they are studying all positive and unexplored aspects of this approach (Rocha, C. P., 2021, Seca, A. M., & Pinto, D. C. 2018, Ayatollahi, S. A., et al. 2022).

Algae will be used for the Production of Ingredients

Algae are being used in many different ways, but one of the most interesting is their use in the production of ingredients. So, these are incredibly nutrient-dense sources of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. This makes them an ideal source for the production of ingredients for food and health products.

Algae proteins are becoming increasingly popular, as they are a sustainable, plant-based source of protein. These are also being used to create omega-3 fatty acid supplements, which are beneficial for heart health. In addition, these are also being used in the production of vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional supplements.

How to Include Algae in Every Course of Your Meal

Algae are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes. Also, here are a few ideas for how to include algae in every course of your meal:

• Breakfast: Start your day with a healthy smoothie that includes blue spirulina benefits. You can also add chlorella or spirulina to your morning oatmeal.
• Lunch: Make a seaweed salad or wrap it with a variety of seaweed varieties.
• Dinner: Add a few spoonfuls of spirulina or chlorella to your favorite soup or stir-fry.
• Snacks: Make your own seaweed chips or crackers by baking strips of seaweed in the oven.
• Dessert: Make a healthy chia pudding topped with spirulina or chlorella powder.

Furthermore, Algae are an incredibly versatile superfood and can be used in a variety of dishes. If you’re looking for a way to get more nutrition in your diet, then algae are an ideal choice. Not only are they packed with beneficial nutrients, but they also offer a range of delicious possibilities.

Conclusion

Moreover, Algae are an incredible superfood that can provide a range of benefits to your health. From being a source of nutrition for animals and plants to being a viable food source for humans, algae are quickly becoming a major part of our diets. Whether you’re a foodie or a health enthusiast, it’s time to get familiar with this incredible superfood. Finally, with the array of health benefits associated with blue spirulina benefits, blue-green algae benefits, algae supplement, chlorophyll vs chlorella, microalgae, blue-green algae spirulina, eating algae, is edible, nutrients, microalgae supplement, bloom superfood incorporating it into your daily diet is a must.

References

Moussavou, G., Kwak, D. H., Obiang-Obonou, B. W., Ogandaga Maranguy, C. A., Dinzouna-Boutamba, S. D., Lee, D. H., … & Choo, Y. K. (2014). Anticancer effects of different seaweeds on human colon and breast cancers. Marine drugs, 12(9), 4898-4911.

González-Ballesteros, N., Rodríguez-Argüelles, M. C., Prado-López, S., Lastra, M., Grimaldi, M., Cavazza, A., … & Bigi, F. (2019). Macroalgae to nanoparticles: Study Ulva lactuca L.’s role in biosynthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles and of their cytotoxicity colon cancer cell lines. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 97, 498-509.

Calderwood, D., Rafferty, E., Fitzgerald, C., Stoilova, V., Wylie, A., Gilmore, B. F., … & Green, B. D. (2021). Profiling the activity of edible European macroalgae towards pharmacological targets for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Applied Phycology, 2(1), 10-21.

Zhao, C., Yang, C., Liu, B., Lin, L., Sarker, S. D., Nahar, L.. & Xiao, J. (2018). Bioactive compounds from marine macroalgae and their hypoglycemic benefits. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 72, 1-12.

Lin, G., Liu, X., Yan, X., Liu, D., Yang, C., Liu, B., … & Zhao, C. (2018). Role of green macroalgae Enteromorpha prolifera polyphenols in the modulation of gene expression and intestinal microflora profiles in type 2 diabetic mice. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(1), 25.

Rocha, C. P., Pacheco, D., Cotas, J., Marques, J. C., Pereira, L., & Gonçalves, A. M. (2021). Seaweeds as valuable sources of essential fatty acids for human nutrition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4968.

Seca, A. M., & Pinto, D. C. (2018). Overview on the antihypertensive and anti-obesity effects of secondary metabolites from seaweeds. Marine drugs, 16(7), 237.

Ayatollahi, S. A., Asgary, S., Ghanbari, F., Karimi, R., Kobarfard, F., Sarfaraz, S., … & Pour, P. M. (2022). Quantifying the Impact of Algae Supplement on Blood Pressure: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Current Problems in Cardiology, 101336.