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.
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Further reading
While addressing the complex challenges of climate change and food (in) security requires a multifaceted approach, we believe that seaweed holds significant untapped potential.
You can read more about sustainable seaweed farming here.
You can read more about seaweed nutrition here.
How can a snack bar help with all this?
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!
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These factors have contributed to a perception that doesn't encourage seaweed as a popular food source. However, we want to change this narrative. We also recognize the frustration of searching for a snack that is both delicious and free from undesirable additives, overly processed ingredients, and excessive plastic packaging. As a team of passionate seaweed and nature enthusiasts, we sought a solution—a snack that could fuel our lifestyles while remaining true to our values. And thus, we created one!
