How Kombu Kelp Plays An Important Role In A Healthy Diet

Iodine is a mineral that’s essential for the normal functioning of your thyroid gland. It’s also necessary for healthy immune function and metabolism. However, many people don’t get enough iodine in their diets and are therefore at risk of developing goiter, hypothyroidism, or other thyroid problems. Thankfully, kelp—a type of seaweed that serves as a natural source of iodine—can help prevent these conditions in those who aren’t getting enough from their diets. In the article, we present a method to keep the benefits of kombu and leave the seaweed out of your meals.

Kelp or kombu is a “superfood” seaweed that has some of the highest amounts of iodine of any edible plant.

Kombu has been eaten in Asia for thousands of years and contains high levels of iodine, minerals, and vitamins—all essential nutrients that help to keep our bodies healthy. Plus, it contains folate which protects against birth defects during pregnancy or childhood development when taken regularly before conception.

Iodine is an essential mineral that is needed for normal growth, development, and metabolism. It is needed for proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. It improves the quality of our hair, is important for eye health, and protects our skin and eyes from UV radiation.

These are some of the reasons we add whole pieces of kombu to the water when cooking our grains. Cooking kombu releases iodine to the water and the grains absorb this nutrient with the water. The kombu will remain whole and can be eaten or discarded after cooking the grain.

Iodine deficiency is common among vegetarians and vegans.

Iodine deficiency is common problem throughout the world, and higher among vegetarians and vegans. When consuming a whole-food, plant-based diet, we are less likely to eat foods that are processed with iodized salt. To counteract this, we recommend adding kombu to the water when you cook your grains. Kombu can be found at Community Natural Foods and other health food stores in Calgary. See our article on fermenting brown rice for a nifty way to use kombu and a turbo-charged path to better health.

Conclusion

So, now that you know kombu kelp can be a great addition to your diet, it’s time to get started! Maybe you want to try adding it into some recipes or simply eating it raw. We recommend adding whole pieces to cook grains and discarding or eating the kelp once the grain is cooked. Or, let us do the work by trying our one of our delicious Zushi Bowls. Either way, the important thing is that you are taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle.