Want to get rid of holiday fat? Try seaweeds

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya  ,Philippines – Serving seaweed-based food can remove excess cholesterol from the body, thus preventing the occurrence of strokes that are common during the Yuletide season, the National Nutrition Council (NCC) said.

Seaweeds have 20 times more vitamins, minerals and amino acids than vegetables, and 25 times more iron than beef, the NCC said.

Seaweed can be served as guisado (sautéed), sotanghon, pickles and even flan. It can also be added to flour for processing into noodles.

The NNC said the preparation of noodles with seaweed does not require special equipment, hence can be undertaken as a livelihood project.

NNC program coordinator for Cagayan Valley Rhodora Maestre said seaweeds, which are abundant in coastal areas like Cagayan, can help cure goiter, strengthen the immune system, and expel phlegm. 

For the beauty- and health-conscious, Maestre said seaweeds detoxify the body by cleansing the digestive track, resulting in weight loss and cellulite control.

The Department of Health has warned that the occurrence of strokes and heart attacks surges during the Yuletide season because of fatty holiday fare.

Seaweed is abundant in Northern Luzon, especially in Baguey town in Cagayan province, where it is processed for its economic value.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the region said seaweed processing is also eyed in Cagayan’s seaweed-rich towns of Claveria, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, and Santa Ana.

“Besides being inexpensive, guraman (seaweed) does not spoil easily and in fact can be kept for a long period of time when dried,” Maestre said.

Aside from guraman, other seaweed species known in the region are ar-arosip or ar-aritus (Caulerpa), pukpuklo (Codium), pan-pan-aw or aragan (Sargassum), kul-kulot or lab-labig (Padina), gal-galis (Halimenia), salingungo or lumut (Enteromorpha), kanot-kanot (Eucheuma), and gamet (Porphyra).