Nori Seaweed Uses and Health Benefits

WHAT ARE SEAWEEDS?

Seaweeds are found in the all the coastal area of the world, in all climatic zones from the warm tropics to icy polar polar regions. There are about ten thousand different species, but new and formerly unknown ones, sometimes living extremely in harsh condition, are being discovered on an ongoing basis.

Despite their name and even though they often resemble plants, seaweeds are only tenuously related to plants. The tissue of the majority of the seaweeds is built up very differently from that found in higher forms of plant life and their functional structure is dissimilar in many respects. They do not have leaves and stems in botanical sense of words, nor do they broom, produce seeds, or set fruits. Seaweeds have no need for root system to take in water or nutrients, as their cells are in direct contact with the surrounding water from which they derive their nourishment. Consequently, they do not grow roots, some species have evolved a system for the internal transport of vital salts and the products of photosynthesis, but the majority are undifferentiated, with each cell being responsible for generating what it needs.

Seaweeds are to the sea what forest, undergrowth, bushes and ground-cover on the land. They produce oxygen and release it into their surroundings while at the same functioning as a physical structure that provides a habitat for a wealth of other organisms. Because, they do not need roots, except some rare species. The majority of of marine algae find their home in a transition area between the land and the sea, anchoring themselves to firm substrates, such as rock faces and stone, or to the seabed. Since all seaweeds need light in order to thrive, their distribution is determined by local light conditions and turbidity.

Seaweed : Nature's Secret to Balancing Your Metabolism, Fighting Disease, And Revitalizing Body and Soul.