Two Sheets of Nori Keep the Doctor Away - Japanese Proverb
Nori is a dried sheet of edible seaweed, commonly used to wrap sushi. It also comes in a powder form and is used for seasoning.
There is more to Nori, than just holding sushi together!
Our vast oceans are rich sources of nutritional seafood primarily obtained from some of the marine and plant life in the various waters around the world. One of the most popular and nutritious seaweed is Nori.
Nori has been used in Japanese cuisine since the 17th Century and is the Japanese term for edible seaweed. It has long been associated to health and longevity in Asian cultures.
Nori Nutrients
The chemical composition of seaweed is similar to human blood and is a good and efficient method for cleansing human blood.
Nori nutrients include Calcium (10 times more than milk!) Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium and Zinc. It offers Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K as well as Niacin, Folic Acid and Taurine. Nori is also packed with Fibre and Protein.
Nori includes a significant number of polyphenols (carotenoids and flavonoids) as well as other phytonutrients including numerous types of alkaloids with antioxidant properties. The green pigment in Nori called chlorophyll is a very good natural detoxifier that can help remove waste products from the body.
Health Benefits
Thyroid Health
Nori is a concentrated source of iodine. Iodine is an essential mineral that performs a key role in thyroid health. Iodine is not produced by the body and must be sourced through food or supplements. Iodine deficiency results in the thyroid gland being overworked as it tries to satisfy the demand for thyroid hormone production (an autoimmune condition known as Hypothyroidism). Hypothyroidism slows the metabolic rate encouraging the storage of food as fat rather than being burned as energy. This may lead to fatigue and weight gain. Typical Western diets are low in iodine a result of the consumption of processed convenience foods which usually contain high levels of salt but low levels of iodine. Adding one teaspoon of Nori to your diet three times a week can help maintain a healthy thyroid function.
Gut Health
Nori is a prebiotic food with non-digestible fibres that feed healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. Nori also helps increase the growth of good bacteria and increases the short term fatty acids which maintains a healthy gut lining.
Heart Health
Recent research suggests that consuming seaweed may help to reduce blood pressure. A Japanese study published in the British Journal of Nutrition linked the consumption of Nori with a reduction in cholesterol levels.
How to use Nori
Add Nori to salads, soups, stews, stir-fries, rice, quinoa, tofu and fish dishes. Also consider using Nori as a condiment as an alternative to salt.
Buying Seaweed
Seaweed absorbs the properties of their world which includes any pollutants in the water. Certified organic seaweeds are grown and harvested in unpolluted waters free from harmful chemicals and pollutants. Organic seaweeds can be found in most supermarkets, Asian and health food shops.
Nori is both delicious and good for your health. Maybe it is time to trust that old Japanese Proverb – Two Sheets of Nori Keep the Doctor Away.
