Algae might be the food of the future, especially for vegans

nutrition

To Mark Laranilla

Jul 17, 2023 | 4:55 PM

This takes ‘green living’ to a whole new level.

The researchers found that microalgae—the gooey green things that form pond dregs during the summer—are good enough to eat.

Experts have long known that certain types of algae are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Seaweed kombu is just one example.

Among the life-giving components of algae is taurine, recently hailed by one food researcher as the ‘elegant of life’. Seaweed, the seaweed used to wrap sushi rolls, is rich in taurine.

But Alison Smith, a professor of plant science at the University of Cambridge and leader of the newly published study, says microalgae, small protein-rich organisms found in freshwater lakes and seas, have been unfairly overlooked. He says it may have happened.

These microalgae are particularly suitable for vegans, as many plant-based diets lack the essential nutrients that algae can provide.

“A purely plant-based diet is great in many ways, but there are certain deficiencies, one of the most important of which is the lack of vitamin B12,” says Smith. told the Guardian.

“Many vegans don’t want to take chemical supplements and want vitamin B12 as a natural part of their diet,” added Smith. “We can’t get vitamins from plants, but we’ve found that certain algae are a rich source of vitamins.”

A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to a variety of neurological, immune and inflammatory disorders, especially in pregnant women. According to a report in the European Journal of Nutrition.

In addition to vitamin B12, microalgae are an excellent source of essential amino acids, fatty acids such as omega-3, omega-6 and omega-7, as well as vitamins such as A, D and E. According to the BBC.

Many health-conscious people now use supplements made from microalgae such as spirulina and chlorella. Algae-based foods and supplements have been popular for centuries in Asia, where about nine out of ten commercial algae producers are based. According to a 2019 survey.

And now, algae products are gaining popularity here in our homes.

Based in New Mexico, Green Stream Farms, the world’s second largest outdoor algae farm, grows algae for use in omega-3 nutritional products. According to the Albuquerque Journal.

In addition to human use, Green Stream Farm’s algae are also used to provide healthier feed for livestock.

Eating algae may seem strange to many, but algae isn’t the only food source that can make some guests turn pale.

Food scientists at the University of Queensland in Australia are adding insects such as maggots and locusts to a variety of specialty foods such as sausages, as well as producing insect-based sustainable livestock feeds.

Last year, a senior Russian official suggested that as the country grapples with sanctions over the Ukraine war, its residents may need to feed their palate for alternative meats such as fly larvae.

“We have to overcome that mental block so that even black soldier fly larvae will be to your liking. You have to work hard,” he added.

Slimy creatures known as mealworms can also turn into larvae. Scientists in South Korea cook mealworms, or beetle larvae, into “meat” that they claim tastes like the real thing.

“Insects are a nutritious and healthy food source that contains rich fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and meat-like high-quality protein,” said Hee Cho, project leader at Wonkwang University. said Dr.