Seaweed has been part of the human food supply since ancient times, providing a rich source of nutrients from the Mediterranean to Asia. In modern times, the largest consumers of seaweed are China, Japan, and Korea, where seaweed is included at nearly every meal.
Beyond flavor, seaweed is packed with vitamins (including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K), minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and ultra-trace minerals), trace elements, omega oils, phytochemicals, antioxidants, fiber, and protein. In fact, seaweed is the best natural source of iodine (needed for thyroid function, metabolic balance, bone health, and brain health), with some varieties providing as much as 20 times the daily value in a single gram. Iodine is especially critical during pregnancy, playing a major role in embryonic and newborn development.