Mara Seaweed: The Sustainable Scottish Superfood

Wednesday, January 18, 2017 : 1:40 PM

It's January, and after the festive feasts and fizz, we're back on a health kick!

We thought we'd help you out on yours by including an extra Scottish superfood surprise into some of our Fishboxes this month.

Lucky recipients will receive a 2g sachet of Furikake flakes from Mara Seaweed. A seaweed-sesame fusion, Furikake combines a blend of Mara's Dulse seaweed with sesame seeds and chilli flakes.

What is Mara Seaweed?

Harvested off the shores of Fife, Mara's Furikake is a tasty addition to your Fishbox meal, and as it's gathered by hand, it's a sustainable choice too.

Mara Seaweed is not only 100% Scottish seaweed, but it's also packed with a number of naturally concentrated nutrients and minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium and iodine to name a few.

If you're on a strict diet, don't worry, as seaweed is low in fat and calories, gluten-free and suitable for vegans. But it's still high in flavour, thanks to glutamates, which create umami, and mineral salts - much healthier than sodium.

Here are more of the details, courtesy of Mara Seaweed:

The Health Benefits of Mara Seaweed

Nutrient (high in seaweed)	What does the nutrient do?	How does seaweed compare to other foods?
Iodine	Iodine regulates the thyroid gland. The thyroid helps to maintain thinking and reasoning, your metabolism body temperature and heart function.	No other food is such a good source of iodine, particularly other so-called ‘superfoods’ such as spirulina.
Fibre	The combination of soluble and insoluble fibre in seaweed promote good gut health and create a bulking agent that helps food move more easily through the body.	2g of seaweed is higher in fibre than the equivalent quantity of spirulina, sunflower seeds, coconut meat or pine nuts. Fibre also helps you feel fuller for longer, reducing snacking and helping with weight management.
Calcium	Seaweed is one of the best vegetable sources of calcium, which is essential for building strong bones and teeth.	2g of seaweed contains more calcium than 2g of spirulina, sunflower seeds, or flaxseeds.
Protein	Seaweed is a good source of protein for vegetarians and vegans. It contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and muscle mass.	Seaweed contains a similar about of protein to pine nuts.
Iron	Iron is part of all body cells and helps muscles to store and use oxygen. This helps fight tiredness and fatigue.	One serving of dulse seaweed contains almost twice as much iron as sunflower, chia or flax seeds.
Potassium	Potassium prevents high blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health.	One serving provides 4-8% of daily recommended potassium intake, more than spirulina, pine nuts or flaxseeds.
Magnesium	Magnesium helps to maintain normal function of the nervous system.	2g of kombu or Shony contains more magnesium than chia seeds, flax seeds or sunflower seeds.
Vitamin C	Vitamin C accelerates healing and prevents colds. Read more.
B Vitamins	B vitamins are critical to maintaining normal metabolism, enhancing the immune system and combating stress.
Sodium	Seaweed contains just the right amount of sodium for the correct balance of body fluids, 85% less than in salt.	Even iodized salt, which contains iodine to help address deficiencies, cannot offer the other added health benefits naturally found in seaweed.