Everything You Need to Know About Dulse Seaweed
From a natural supplement to a food flavor enhancer, dulse seaweed is extremely versatile. In this guide, we’ll teach you about the different forms and the various benefits. Once you learn about its many uses, you’ll want to add dulse seaweed to your grocery list!
What is Dulse Seaweed?
Dulse seaweed, also known as Palmaria palmata, is an edible seaweed that ranges in color from reddish to dark purple. Dulse seaweed grows in the cold waters of the Northwest Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. It frequently grows on rocks and boulders, where it’s harvested from June through October.
Like most forms of seaweed, dulse contains high levels of both fiber and protein as well as a wealth of vitamins and minerals that make it a healthy superfood. It comes in a variety of forms and can be consumed as a food, used in health and beauty products, or added to your diet as a health supplement.
What Forms Does Dulse Seaweed Come In?
Dulse seaweed comes in several forms, including:
- Flakes
- Powders
- Capsules
- Dehydrated dulse
- Fresh dulse
Which form you want may depend on your intended use. For example, if you're interested in taking dulse seaweed as a regular health supplement, you may find it more practical to take it in capsule form. On the other hand, powdered dulse is a great addition to chowders, soups, and even breads. It has a slightly salty taste that many people enjoy.
The Benefits of Dulse Seaweed
Dulse seaweed offers a number of important health benefits. It contains high levels of potassium and calcium, which can aid in overall bone health and strength. Dulse is also high in protein, which is critical for overall health and body function. It's ideal for a wide range of diets, including Paleo and Keto diets.
It may:
Aid in Thyroid Health
Dulse is high in iodine, a nutrient that is often hard to find in your food. Iodine can help support healthy thyroid function, which may help maintain overall weight balance, energy, and mood.
Maintain Healthy Eyes
Eye health is critical, especially as you age. Eating foods rich in vitamin A can help improve your vision and keep your eyes as healthy as possible. Because dulse seaweed is high in vitamin A, it may help protect your visual health and your vision.
Support Healthy Digestive Function
A healthy body begins in the gut. More and more, modern research supports the importance of a healthy digestive system--and dulse seaweed, thanks to its high fiber content, may help to keep your digestive system healthy and moving smoothly.
Increase Hair and Skin Health
Hair and skin health are vital to many individuals. Healthy hair and skin look and feels better: softer, shinier, and smoother. Dulse seaweed, with its high levels of magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids, may help to support healthy hair and skin.
Dulse seaweed is hailed as a superfood, and with good reason. It contains many of the vitamins and minerals you need to help maintain your overall health--all in an easy-to-use form that you can take as a dietary supplement or include in much of your regular cooking.
Note: Always check with your doctor or healthcare practitioner before using this or any other supplements.
Ways to Use Dulse Seaweed
Dulse seaweed can be used in many of your regular recipes or taken as a supplement, depending on your preference. You can also include it as part of your skincare routine. Try some of these strategies.
Add It to Your Sandwich
From a BLT to your favorite club sandwich, you'll find that dulse seaweed will make an excellent bacon substitute. Try it for an extra note of flavor, or use whole dulse leaves mixed in with the rest of your favorite condiments and toppings. You'll have a unique sandwich with an extra protein and flavor punch that will be sure to set your day on the right track.
Crumble it Into Your Salad
Dulse seaweed is a salty topping that can help add a punch of flavor--not to mention a boost of healthy vitamins and minerals--to your next salad. If you're looking for an effective way to add more protein to your salad, try adding a few dulse flakes or even whole leaves to help you achieve this healthy boost.
Mix It Into Soups and Stews
Soups and stews will benefit from the flavor punch of dulse seaweed. Add it to your next batch of vegetable soup, clam chowder, or other fantastic soup to start seeing its benefits. You can also sprinkle it on top of individual servings of your soup or stew. Make sure to taste test ahead of time! Note: Dulse does have a strong smell that can impact the smell of your dish.
Create a Body Scrub
If you're interested in making your own health and beauty products, dulse seaweed is a great addition. Try adding it to your next body scrub mixture: just add a couple of tablespoons of powder to your other ingredients, then use it as a scrub the next time you shower. If you have dulse flakes on hand, but no powder, don't worry! Simply grind it up in your food processor until it's fine, then mix it into your scrub as usual.
Shop Dulse Seaweed
Ready to add dulse seaweed to your health and beauty arsenal? Try this:
- Maine Coast Sea Vegetables Dulse Leaf Granulated Shaker Seasoning: These flakes are small and will incorporate easily into your recipes, making them easy to use like an herb or spice on your food.
Are you interested in adding dulse seaweed to your recipes or using it as a supplement? Let us help you find the right dulse flakes for your needs, today.
