Benefits of Nori
The amount of nutrition contained in nori is the highest among seaweeds, and nori contains as much protein as soybeans. Nori also contains vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium as well as EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and fiber, which are necessary for maintaining good health.
Protein
Nori contains as much protein as soybeans, the "Meat of the Field." This protein is of very good quality that is easy to digest.
Vitamins
Nori contains 12 kinds of vitamins including group A and B vitamins. Nori is called "The Reservoir of Vitamins" because few other foods are as much in vitamins as nori is.
- Vitamin A --You can consume enough vitamin A per day with just two sheets of nori.
- Vitamin B --Two sheets of nori also contain Vitamin B1 and B2 in amounts equivalent to 50~60 grams of pork, a sufficient daily amount.
- Vitamin C --Nori has twice the vitamin C as the same amount of tangerines do. In general, vitamin C is easily destroyed by heat, but in the case of nori, vitamin C is stronger and is retained even when heated.
- Iron --Two sheets of nori contain an amount of iron equal to 600 cc of milk or one egg.
Flavor
Nori is full of three desirable taste components: glutamate acid, inosinic acid, and guanil acid--also called "the flavor of Japan." This is the secret of its popularity among Japanese people since ancient times.
Dietary Fiber
1/3 of a nori sheet consists of good quality dietary fiber, which can help reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Medical Value Summary
Nori is part of a "beauty diet"--rich in protein and low in cholesterol. It is also part of a "healthy diet"--abundant in vitamins and minerals. It is especially good for growing children, with excellent medical value because it contains a substance that lowers cholesterol, helping to prevent arteriosclerosis.
At the Japan Cancer Congress in 1958, professor Ichiro Yamamoto from Kitazato University announced that nori has cancer-preventing properties, and since then, nori's medical value has gained a significant amount of public attention.
Emeritus Professor Yoshio Sakaue of Tokyo Institute of Technology has also announced at the International Seaweed Congress and the Japan Fisheries Conference that two sheets of nori possess a component that prevents stomach ulcers and also provides immediate relief.
The medical value of nori certainly deserves attention and is expected to play a part in future natural remedy research.
Nutrition Facts
- Abundant in dietary fiber -- Nori is full of dietary fiber and has been getting major attention lately.
- Reservoir of good quality protein -- 70 % of the protein contained in nori is digested and assimilated.
- Masses of vitamins -- Nori contains more vitamins than fruits and vegetables.
- Leads in Minerals -- Nori includes almost all the mineral elements, which are used effectively in our body.