This humble marine plant could help you hit the fitness targets you’ve been striving for
For many of us, the arrival of summer comes with a renewed sense of motivation with regards to fitness and healthy eating. While winter tends to make us want to snuggle up, hibernate and indulge in comfort eating, summer invites us all to push a little harder to be our best selves. In fact, studies have shown that the weather can have a direct impact on our likelihood to exercise.[1]
From upping your exercise regime to rethinking your eating habits, there are plenty of ways to improve your health as the weather gets warmer. But what you may not realise is that seaweed has a key role to play in supporting your fight to be fitter, thanks to the array of vitamins and nutrients it contains. Let’s take a deep dive into how seaweed can help you achieve your summer health goals.
Plant-based eating
These days, an increasing number of people are choosing to follow a plant-based diet. In the UK alone, the number of people identifying as vegan has increased by an incredible 40% over the past year, and is set to climb even further.[2]
There are lots of reasons people are choosing to go more plant-based with their eating habits: from protesting animal cruelty to protecting the environment, but for 45% of people, the choice to go vegan is due to a desire to be healthier.[3]
Veganism can help to manage weight, reduce the risk of heart disease and even improve skin health,[4] but there is also the risk that a vegan diet will lead to an individual missing out on key nutrients – nutrients like iodine. As most people get their iodine from dairy or seafood sources, it’s all too easy to increase your risk of iodine deficiency by following a plant-based diet. This is why seaweed has a critical role to play in any vegan diet – because it offers the only viable plant-based source of iodine.
Iodine and your metabolism
Many people aren’t familiar with the connection between iodine and our fitness levels, but iodine actually has a key role to play when it comes to our health. Iodine supports the normal function of your thyroid, which in turn helps to regulate vital health factors like your metabolism. The healthy release of thyroid hormones like T3 and T4 can work to boost your metabolic rate, making it easier to manage your weight.[5]
In fact, supporting your metabolism can have a direct impact on your ability to lose or monitor your weight. Eating a healthy diet that helps to boost your metabolism will impact how easily you are able to lose excess weight and hit your fitness goals.[6]
Energy levels and exercise
Your thyroid isn’t just responsible for your metabolism, however. It also has a role to play in supporting your skin’s health, your nervous system and, crucially, your cognitive function and energy levels.
Anyone who has ever tried to push themselves to be fitter and healthier knows that there is a mental aspect to the challenge as well as a physical one. Iodine contributes to normal cognitive function[7] and supports your body’s natural energy release,[8] aiding you in your efforts to stick to your guns and improve your fitness levels.
And because seaweed is such a great natural source of iodine, while also being plant-based and good for you, it’s a highly beneficial dietary staple for anyone looking to boost their fitness levels. Our organic seaweed capsules contain only seaweed wild-harvested from the pristine waters of the Scottish Outer Hebrides, and just one tablet contains as much iodine as three whole mackerel.