Bladderwrack

What is bladderwrack? 

Bladderwrack is a kind of seaweed that is brown. It gets its name from the air pockets in its leaves, which look like small bladders. Seaweed is able to move because it has air holes. Bladderwrack grows in the seas near both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the northern United States. It also grows along the Atlantic and Baltic beaches of northern Europe.

Bladderwrack is related to kelp, and some people may call it "kelp." But kelp is a general name for many different kinds of brown seaweed. It has nothing to do with bladderwrack in particular. The thallus, which is the main stem of bladderwrack, is used to make products that help with a number of different diseases. But more research is needed to be sure of how well it works.

How do I use Bladderwrack?

You can bake, grill, or boil bladderwrack. It tastes very good when pulverized and used as a spice or dried and eaten as chips.

Bladderwrack benefits:

Bladderwrack may help with stomach problems because it protects the sensitive walls of your gut from irritating things like stomach acid. It also reduces inflammation, which could help with stomach problems.

◉ May Relieve Constipation or Diarrhea: Bladderwrack has a type of fiber called alginic acid. Fiber helps with constipation, but it can also stop diarrhea and make your bowel movements more frequent in general. But more study needs to be done to show that bladderwrack works to treat these conditions. 

◉ May Speed Wound Healing: Calcium alginate, which is found in bladderwrack, may help wounds heal faster than other ways, according to early studies. One early study showed that major cuts could heal with the help of a certain type of alginate in as little as 10 days. But more study is needed to figure out the best way to use bladderwrack to treat wounds and how much to use.

◉ May Prevent Hypothyroidism: In the past, hypothyroidism was less common among people who lived near the ocean and where bladderwrack grew. Some people think this is because fish, crabs, and seaweeds like bladderwrack add more iodine to their meals.

Hypothyroidism is another word for a thyroid gland that doesn't work well enough. When you have this disease, your body doesn't make enough of the important chemicals that control many of its processes.

Hypothyroidism has these signs and symptoms:

🌲Tiredness.

🌲Getting fat and having a slower metabolism.

🌲Temperatures that are too cold.

🌲Hair that's dry and rough.

🌲Having a heavy period.

🌲Loss of memory.

🌲Voice that is weak or raspy.

Iodine is an important nutrient for thyroid health. It is found in sea salt and many foods that come from the ocean. Your thyroid needs iodine so that it can produce the chemicals necessary to keep your body functioning properly. Your body does not make iodine on its own, though. So you have to eat it as a food or substance, like bladderwrack.

◉ Anti-inflammatory effects: Bladderwrack is full of antioxidants like phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, alginic acid, fucoidans, and vitamins A and C. Phlorotannins and fucoxanthin, in particular, are known for their high antioxidant activity and ability to get rid of free radicals. Free radicals are dangerous olecules that can hurt cells, cause chronic diseases, and speed up the aging process. Some studies on test tubes and rats have shown that brown algae like bladderwrack have anti-inflammatory properties that look hopeful. They may also help slow the growth of tumors, lower blood sugar levels, and lower the risk of getting heart disease.

Also, a big study of 40,707 men and 45,406 women found that eating seaweed every day cut the chance of heart disease by 12%. Seaweed has chemicals that are similar to those in bladderwrack. Aside from this study and another that showed small improvements in controlling blood sugar, there aren't many human trials. Even though bladderwrack might help with inflammation in theory, more study is needed.

Where can I buy Bladderwrack?

Buy Bladderwrack from the health food store in the USA, Alive Herbals.

Bladderwrack information (at a glance):