Seaweed protein and heart disease

People who eat a restrictive diet through being vegetarian or vegan can struggle to consume all the vitamins and minerals needed by the body. Unless you are a very creative cook, it can be difficult to consume all the essential nutrients through food especially when you are vegan. Vegans may suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency due to the foods they cut out.

In 2011, a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry has found that seaweed contains an important compound which can have a big impact on your health. After reviewing several journal articles, it was discovered by scientists in Ireland at the Teagasc Food Research Centre in Dublin, that a protein based compound is important for heart health. Several species of seaweed were found to contain bioactive peptides. These compounds may help prevent cardiovascular conditions and blood drainage issues including raised blood pressure.

High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors in cardiovascular disease. However, through lifestyle and dietary changes it can be controlled. High blood pressure is often known as the silent killer because it rarely has symptoms. As you get older, blood pressure naturally increased slightly and factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, heavy drinking and an unhealthy diet can contribute to it.