A nutrition and psychology expert has discovered an unlikely ingredient that can improve your mental and physical health when added to your diet.
Seaweed (marine plants and algae that grow in the ocean) is highly nutritious, providing fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and important amino acids, as well as vitamins A, B, C and E, which are not often found in land vegetables.
Another important benefit of seaweed is its natural iodine content. This mineral plays an essential role in the production of thyroid hormones, which are essential for bodily processes such as metabolism.
Low thyroid hormone levels can lead to symptoms such as low energy levels, constipation and weight gain.
While several countries, including the US and Canada, address iodine deficiency by adding the mineral to table salt, the UK does not.
That is why the World Health Organization has now ranked the United Kingdom seventh out of the ten most iodine deficient countries in the world.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart, a UK-based nutritionist and psychologist, discussed the key benefits of adding seaweed to your diet…
According to Dr. Naomi Newman-Beinart, seaweed can help regenerate your skin cells, resulting in a revitalized appearance
1. Increase your libido
Dr Newman-Beinart said: ‘When people think of increasing their libido, they probably don’t immediately think of a plate of seaweed!
However, research has shown that seaweed can improve sexual function, provide energy and increase your sex drive.
‘Seaweed is packed with iodine and getting enough iodine can make a big difference when it comes to your mood.
‘This is because iodine is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency is a major cause of low thyroid hormone levels, which often leads to problems such as low energy and low libido.’
2. Prevent dry, flaky skin
‘Thyroid hormones, which contain iodine, help your skin cells regenerate. When thyroid hormone levels are low, this regeneration doesn’t happen as often, potentially leading to dry, flaky skin.
‘When people are iodine deficient, they often notice that their skin is dry and flaky. This is thought to be due to low thyroid hormone levels,’ says Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart.
Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart told FEMAIL that a key benefit of seaweed is its natural iodine content
3. Promote healthy hair growth
According to the nutritionist and psychologist, “Thyroid hormones help regulate the growth of hair follicles. When your thyroid hormone levels are low, your hair follicles may stop regenerating.
‘That is why people with an iodine deficiency can also suffer from hair loss.’
4. Increase brain power
According to some studies, iodine deficiency can affect your IQ. Dr. Newman-Beinart explains that this is a risk factor for iodine deficiency.
She said: ‘Scientists have collected more than 20 studies on the relationship between iodine status and IQ, and all of the studies found that iodine deficiency was associated with lower IQ.’
Research has also shown that people with lower thyroid hormone levels performed worse on memory tests than those with higher levels.
5. Support your child’s intelligence
“Not many people know that iodine deficiency is the most common cause of preventable mental illness in the world,” said Dr. Newman-Beinart.
Scientists found that low iodine levels during pregnancy were linked to a 60 percent greater risk of their child having low verbal intelligence and poor reading skills in the early years.
‘That is precisely why the World Health Organization recommends giving higher amounts of iodine during pregnancy, to support the development of the child’s brain.’
