Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 7 hrs ago
Seaweed could offer a nutritious, lower-impact food option
Seaweed, a marine algae used in Asian cooking for centuries, is attracting interest as a food for a growing population.
It contains a range of nutrients, including vitamins, fiber, minerals and omega-3 fats, and is generally low in calories, fat and sugar.
Researchers see it as a potentially more sustainable food because it can be farmed with less energy than other seafood and absorbs carbon dioxide.
In the United States, seaweed is farmed off New England, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Only about 10 seaweed species are farmed commercially worldwide, and Japanese kelp accounts for about 35 percent of production.
Seaweed farming still faces risks: kelp can suffer in marine heat waves, and poorly managed farms can spread disease.
People can add dried seaweed to foods such as rice, soup and bread, but should watch their intake because the body needs only a small amount of iodine.
Seaweed is nutrient-rich, low in calories and described by experts as a potentially more sustainable food option.
It is grown in waters off New England, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, as well as in Asia.
Seaweed contains vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, potassium, iron and iodine, though its nutritional content varies by type.
Snack packs with six small sheets typically contain under 60 calories and cost less than $3.
Seaweed farming has risks, including disease spread if farms are poorly managed and poor kelp performance during marine heat waves.
- Who
- Seaweed producers and consumers; experts cited include University of Nevada assistant professor Angeline Jeyakumar.
- What
- Seaweed is being considered as a nutritious, lower-impact food option.
- When
- The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Seaweed is farmed in Asia and in U.S. waters off New England, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
- Why
- Experts say it could help provide nutritious food more sustainably as populations grow and crops face climate-related and other threats.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Seaweed has been grown in Asia.
Angeline Jeyakumar said researchers see seaweed as one way to produce nutritious food more sustainably as the world's population grows.
The Independent published an article about seaweed as a possible food option.
- Seaweed snack packs
- Six small sheets typically contain under 60 calories
- Snack pack price
- Under $3
- U.S. growing regions
- New England, the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
- Japanese kelp
- About 35 percent of worldwide seaweed production
- Farmed species
- 10 species are farmed globally
What people are saying
As the world's population grows, researchers see seaweed as one way to produce nutritious food more sustainably
No matter the type you choose, seaweed is low in calories, fat and sugar, and is typically a good source of minerals and plant chemicals known as phytochemicals
Sources
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