WHY SEAWEED?

Kelp! Our planet needs you:

The United Nations predicts that by 2050, the world's population will require a staggering 70% increase in food production. However, our current industrialised food system with fossil fuel-intensive plastic packaging, and chemical fertilisers, is proving to be unsustainable. We urgently require low-carbon and sustainable food solutions to meet these pressing needs.

The seaweed solution

Seaweed, often referred to as the "lungs of the sea", thrives in regenerative ocean farms right here in the UK. It provides an ideal habitat for marine life while requiring no freshwater, fossil fuel-derived fertilisers, or land space to grow. Surpassing the growth rate of land plants, seaweed offers a sustainable and low-carbon food source. Though technically an alga, not a plant, seaweed farming represents a more planet-kind approach with numerous benefits.

Health benefits of seaweed

In addition to its sustainability, seaweed boasts an impressive abundance of essential vitamins and minerals. In-fact, gram for gram, seaweeds are higher in vitamins and minerals than any other class of food! Although seaweed is typically consumed in smaller quantities than terrestrial vegetables and livestock, it certainly packs a punch for a humble sea vegetable.

Additionally, seaweeds offer prebiotic fibers that support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and they are rich in phytochemicals with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Promising research indicates that isolated phytochemicals from seaweeds may have preventive effects on various inflammatory diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Although more human clinical trials are warranted before solid conclusions can be made, it demonstrates the incredible potential of seaweed not only as a food source, but also as a functional food with potential health benefits.

Why do we put seaweed in our energy bars?

In modern Western cultures, despite its historical benefits/uses, the idea of consuming seaweed remains relatively unfamiliar. Recent surveys have highlighted several barriers that hinder the widespread use of seaweed in Western societies. These include concerns about taste, lack of available recipes, uncertainty about how to incorporate it into meals, and its (sometimes) off-putting smell!

We want to help the UK seaweed market develop, by incorporating it into a widely consumed product - an energy bar. Our bars are made from simple wholesome ingredients, free from ultra-processed additives, with 1g of seaweed per bar. Adding more seaweed to your diet through readily consumed foods means that you may get the nutritional benefits of seaweed, though this has not been scientifically proven.