Kelp is a generic term that describes various types of brown algae that are used in a wide variety of industrial, mechanical, pharmacological and culinary applications. For instance, some types of kelp are used to make glass, while other are used in toothpaste and dog food. More simply however, kombu – the edible kelp also known as laminaria – is useful in a wide variety of food and beverage type applications. From a nutrient standpoint, kelp is important due to its iodine content, an element required by the body to maintain healthy levels of thyroid hormone production. However, there are many other medicinal uses of the sea based leaves that have helped lead to the popularity of kombu as used in beverage making. As a result, kelp tea benefits are widely known and brews of the popular eastern fare continue to delight.
Surprisingly, one of the most popular uses for this type of kelp has absolutely nothing to do with making tea. Pieces of laminaria are used in certain medical procedures, where they are placed in the cervix in order to promote cervix enlargement or make child delivery easier. These uses are associated with the plant’s tendency to create a sticky, gel-like substance upon contact with water, contributing to its intravaginal uses, but have almost nothing to do with kelp tea benefits for health. The positive medicinal uses of kelp are thought to be related to the glutamic acid, iodine and dietary fiber.
Making kelp tea is quite different from standard herbal tea recipes that most people might be used to. In order to properly prepare what is likely the most popular of all kelp teas – kombucha – intense preparation and the procurement of something called a scoby, which are starter yeast cultures for fizziness is required. It can take up to ten days to make the brew, which starts with 2 gallons of already prepared sweetened tea, 2 yeast cultures, 15 ounces of fruit juice, and jars. The scoby comes with about half a cup of liquid that begins the tea making process which involves fermenting and days upon days of letting the mixture sit. Because of the challenges and time associated with this type of kelp tea recipe, most people don’t mind at all to buy commercially prepared products alternatively, and today many organic options are available as well. Though arguably less delicious than brews made at home, kelp tea benefits for health are numerous and the beverage is an excellent substitution for sugar-sweetened beverages like soda that are devoid of nutritional content. Aside from being a better beverage alternative, seven more great reasons to try kelp tea can be found below!
1. Weight Loss
If a smoking gun in terms of natural products for weight loss had been found, the world surely would have heard about it by now. There are no definitive studies linking kelp to losing weight, however since many use the beverage instead of other less healthy drinks, there may be some evidence to support these claims. For now, kelp tea benefits are only touted to include healthy weight loss, but that could change with more research and over time.
2. Constipation
Kelp is a significant source of dietary fiber, and regardless of consumption method, it can bring about relief from occasional constipation. Dietary fiber is important to good nutrition for more reasons than regularity, and kelp is useful in this regard as well.
3. Nutrition and Thyroid Health
It’s well known that potent punches of necessary nutrient iodine, can be found in varieties of brown algae. This is important because the proper function of the thyroid gland depends on healthy levels of iodine in the blood. In fact, kelp tea benefits are so useful in this regard, that the beverage may be able to supplement and help support conventional treatments in persons with underactive thyroids where hormone production is compromised.
4. Anti Inflammatory Uses
A specific naturally occurring chemical compound found in kelp known as fucoidan is thought to be able to reduce the manufacture of nitric oxide and prostaglandin found in the body, and in turn this reaction may lead to reduced amounts of inflammation. Studies are still preliminary on this use for kelp, but initial results have been promising.
5. Neurodegenerative Diseases
It’s the same fucoidan thought to help combat inflammation that is likely responsible for neurodegenerative kelp tea benefits. The effects that fucoidan have on various processes within the body are still not fully understood, but more research may indicate both disease treatment and prevention.
6. Aging
Aside from beneficial nutrients like vitamins and minerals, kelp also contains antioxidants that might help the body resist cell disease and degeneration. This mechanism of action may be most closely related with aging, but kelp tea benefits from antioxidants may reach far beyond slowing internal degeneration and may include cancer other disease prevention as research continues.
7. Immunity Boost
Kelp is associated with helping to protect the immune system and therefore be useful in preventing and shortening the duration of illness. This purpose is perhaps related to the plant’s iodine content, which has been linked to protection from radiation and regulating various processes throughout the body.
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